That wasn’t something I usually struggled with—concentration. I had built my company on it. But ever since that dinner with Carter Dane, my thoughts kept drifting, replaying the evening in frustrating detail. His deep voice, his unreadable gaze, the way he always seemed to be two steps ahead of me. Why couldn’t I shake it off? Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him?
I groaned, trying to push those thoughts away. There was no room for distractions today. I had a crucial meeting at 2 o'clock with Winsor Tech. It could change everything for my company, and I needed to be on my game.
When 2 o'clock rolled around, I was in my office, mentally gearing up to meet Joshua, the head of business development at Winsor Tech. I was expecting him to walk through the door any moment.
But when the door finally opened, it wasn’t Joshua who entered.
It was Carter.
My pen froze mid-sentence. I stared at him, wide-eyed, as he strolled into my office like he owned the place. He was dressed in a sharp, dark suit, exuding confidence and an air of untouchability. And that smile—he was clearly enjoying this.
“Surprised to see me?” he asked, not waiting for an invitation to sit. He simply settled into the chair across from me, completely at ease.
I blinked, struggling to collect my thoughts. “What are you doing here?” My voice came out sharper than I meant. I had been expecting a business meeting, not… this.
Carter leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, his eyes locked on mine. “Joshua’s a good friend. When I mentioned I wanted to see you, he thought this might be the best way to grab your attention.”
I blinked again, trying to process what he was saying. “You... arranged this meeting?”
He nodded, completely unfazed. “You weren’t going to talk to me otherwise.”
What the hell? My heart raced, and I felt trapped. This wasn’t what I had prepared for. “Why are you doing this?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady.
Carter leaned forward slightly resting his elbows on his knees. His gaze softened just a little, but there was still something unreadable behind those eyes. “Because I have a proposition for you.” I crossed my arms defensively, already uneasy about where this was heading. “What kind of proposition?”
“Let’s get married.” For a moment, I thought I must have misheard him. “Excuse me?” I managed to choke out, my voice nearly cracking. “Married? Are you out of your mind?” Carter didn’t flinch. If anything, a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. “Hear me out,” he said, his tone calm, as if he were suggesting something completely reasonable.
I stood up, needing to move. I couldn’t sit still after that bombshell. “You can’t just walk in here and drop something like that, Carter. This is absurd.” He stood up too, slowly and deliberately, walking around my desk. The room felt smaller with him moving closer. He stopped a few feet away, his voice softer but no less intense.
“It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Our parents have been pressuring both of us to settle down. I’m 32, you’re 28. By society’s standards, we’re ‘late.’ This could get them off our backs.” I turned to face him, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. “So, you’re suggesting a fake marriage? For what, convenience?” “In name only,” he clarified, as if that made it any better. “We’d continue living our own lives. We’d share my penthouse—it’s close to your office. We’ll plan a few dates over the next month, let my paparazzi take pictures, and control the story. Then we stage a quick wedding, saying we couldn’t wait.” “And after that?” “After that, you focus on your company, and I’ll focus on mine. We go back to our lives. It’s a win-win.”
I stared at him, utterly stunned. He was serious. This wasn’t some joke. “How are we supposed to convince people we’re in love?” I asked, incredulous. Carter smirked. “That’s where my media connections come in. We control the narrative. Photos, stories—all perfectly curated.
And if it makes it easier for you, I’ll make sure you can work during our ‘dates.’
This was just absurd. Sure, there were some benefits, but a fake marriage? A marriage of convenience? I wanted to laugh. Yet, a part of me recognized he had a point. It would definitely take the pressure off my mom. I could concentrate on my work without her constant nagging. Carter was proposing something that could make my life easier… in the most ridiculous way possible. But still, it felt reckless. It was completely reckless.
“No,” I said firmly, shaking my head. “I refuse. You’ve lost your mind.” He didn’t respond, didn’t try to argue. He simply watched me with those piercing eyes, as if he knew I’d eventually come around. “Think about it,” he said softly. Then he turned and walked out of my office like he had all the time in the world.
As the door clicked shut behind him, I sank back into my chair, trying to catch my breath. What had just happened? I should’ve laughed it off. But instead, all I could think about were his last words, echoing in my mind.
Why me?
Of all the women who would jump at the chance for an offer like that, why was he choosing me?
And worse, why was a small part of me actually considering it?
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