Law #1: Never Bet on Love: A Sweet Billionaire Love Story (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (the beginning after the end novel read .TXT) 📗

Murphy twirls his finger beside his temple. “You’ve a problem, Nate. Your refusal of anything that’s pleasurable to the eye but serves no clear purpose indicates a severe imbalance in your life.”

“I have no imbalance, thank you very much.”

“Well, we’re testing that now, aren’t we?” Murphy smiles then adds, “By the way, how did your second encounter with Eva go? You haven’t told me anything about it yet.”

“I’ve had a minor setback,” I say as nonchalantly as I can. It’s pretty hard work, because the impotent frustration I felt when Eva shut the door in my face is taking possession of me once more.

I did an early workout on my climbing wall just to release the sting that her second refusal left me with. Normally, when I disregard the safety ropes during a practice, my mind immediately switches off. It knows that a bothering thought could cost me a fracture. It’s my safe haven when no other method works to tame my mind.

But not even that worked today.

“Ah, really?” Murphy scratches his chin. “How come?”

“The diamonds didn’t work their charm as I’d hoped,” I admit bitterly.

Nor had the I’m-sincerely-sorry face I’d practiced in front of the mirror. Mostly because as soon as I laid eyes on Eva, all the phrases and tactics I’d planned to use diffused into thin air. I’d revealed to Eva the whole story about how and why I bought the earrings, instead of just showing up at her doorstep and handing her the gift with a cool, “These reminded me of the beauty of your eyes,” I’d originally envisioned.

I still don’t get why it’s so darned hard to stick to my strategy when I’m around her.

Murphy chuckles. “Is that a Nathan-code for Eva sent you on your way once more?”

I probably shouldn’t have bragged to Murphy about what a great ploy I’d come up with after my failure in the Desert Rose. But the temptation to foreshadow my victory to him was too strong. Of course, I didn’t expect my meeting with Eva to go as badly as it did.

Murphy’s laugh makes my blood boil, but I’m not going to show him that I feel unsure about our bet. “She is just playing hard to get, you know? It’s a basic strategy in any business negotiation. She’s probably waiting for me to up my game.”

There were a few moments where I could have sworn that Eva looked intrigued by my visit. I’d even risk saying she was happy about it. But then…

The clank of the door comes back to me, and I wince inwardly.

“Ah, really? And do you have any idea how to do that?” Murphy asks, his face serious now.

I don’t. At least not yet. But I’m not going to share this information with Murphy, especially not when he’s staring at me with that weird somberness. “I’m still weighing my options,” I say carefully.

“Why don’t you just quit, Nate, and admit that your entire I-can-make-people-want-what-I-want boast isn’t working?”

“It’ll work. Just give it some time.”

Murphy puts up both his hands, showing the number six to me. “See this? This is the amount of time you have at your disposal. If you don’t manage by then, I’ll tell Mother that I find you unsuitable for leading the company and that Larry is the better choice.”

My shoulders tense. But before I can react, a shaky soprano interrupts us. “Boys, boys! Are you arguing?”

I whip around and my jaw goes slack as I see Aunt Marjorie, Mother’s only sister, shuffling toward us, leaning on her stick. My cook is following in her footsteps.

“I hope you don’t mind me dropping by, Nate. Tracy let me in.”

What is it today? Visiting day of random family members? When I called into the office this morning to announce that I’ll work from home, I didn’t expect to have to entertain guests.

Murphy chimes in before I can answer. “Of course he doesn’t, Marj. And for the record, Nate and I were just having a conversation. A slightly heated one, yes, but nothing for you to worry about.”

Marjorie lowers herself to a chair opposite us.

Tracy immediately inquires what she would like for breakfast.

“Just a coffee, please. I’m not hungry.”

“Are you sure?” I look at her narrow face, deeply creased cheeks, and thin neck. The last round of chemotherapy has left her almost like a skeleton. Thankfully it worked and she’s in full remission now. But she should be piling up some pounds to gain more strength.

“I’m sure, my boy, thanks.”

“Fine, but I’ll make you add an extra spoonful of sugar in your coffee then.” I wink at her and she smiles back.

“Agreed. I can always take more sweetness in my life.” Then she narrows her eyes at me. “So, Nate, I hear from Murphy that you’re facing quite a challenge.”

My stomach tightens.

Did Murphy tell our aunt about our agreement?

I can’t look into her eyes, so I pick up my fork and play with it.

Marjorie blinks at Murphy, a frown settling on her face. “How could you even come up with such a bet, Murphy? It makes me doubt whether you ever grew out of high school.”

Murphy raises his finger. “You’re wrong, Auntie. This is a perfect task for a mature man. I’m convinced it will teach Nathan a great deal about himself and let us unearth his true capabilities.” He actually sounds like he believes what he’s saying. Like he has no second thoughts about the appropriateness of this whole thing, or guilt that we dragged Eva into this without her permission.

What’s more, the conviction behind his words is so firm that even my aunt seems to sense that she has a lost battle with Murphy. She turns to me. “And you, Nathan? Why did you accept? Aren’t you afraid you’ll hurt that woman with your lies?”

A sense of shame settles in my chest.

I hate to feel my aunt’s disapproval. Marjorie is one of my favorite people in the world. She was there for me when Mother was too