Forever Mine by Goode, Ella (uplifting books for women .TXT) 📗

waves me into one of the large leather chairs arranged in front of his desk. Cigar smoke is so thick it almost creates an opaque bubble around Cristoff’s head.

I clear my throat and wonder how much second-hand nicotine I’ve inhaled in my thirty-five years of being in Cristoff’s presence.

“How is the marriage hunt going?”

“Uncle Cristoff, don’t you think it’s archaic to force people to marry? Everyone knows I’m competent. Everyone knows you’re giving the firm to me. Marriage as a prerequisite is an outdated notion not to mention not enforceable in a court of law.”

“That bad, huh?” He taps the cigar against the ashtray. “Is it that you don’t have any ideas? Because I can have…” He pauses, trying to think of his secretary’s name.

“Rose?” I think it’s a flower.

“Right. Rose. I can have Rose make up a list for you.”

“I’ve got a list.”

“Oh? Let’s see it.”

I toss the now mangled list of names onto Cristoff’s desk. He peruses it, grunting a few times and making a mark by a couple entries.

“I like these girls.” He hands the list back.

“Do you even know them?”

“No. I like their names. Candy Wittig? Sounds like she’d be sweet.” He waggles his eyebrows.

“I’m not choosing a wife based on her name.”

“Then invite them all up here, and we can have an impromptu fashion pageant.”

“I don’t want the firm to get sued.”

“Harrumph.” Uncle Cristoff folds his fingers across his stomach. “You young people and all your rules. In my day, we could do fun things like that, and no one would bat an eye.”

I keep my mouth shut.

“If you can’t inspect them all together, you’re going to have to do it individually. That’s not so terrible, though. Might be exciting. You could rate them based on looks, agreeability, and talents.” Uncle Cristoff is getting into it. I decide to cut him off.

“I have someone in mind.”

“Oh?” His eyebrows go up. “Then close the deal.”

“She doesn’t want me.”

Cristoff jerks back. “Don’t let that out, boy. If the board heard that you can’t get the woman of your choice into your bed, they wouldn’t believe you were fit to run this firm. Can’t have the head of our company not close the most important deal of his life.” He shakes his head. “Never speak of this woman again. Marry Candy. Have sweet babies. Take over the firm. There. You can go now.”

“Thanks for your advice, Uncle Cristoff,” I say dryly, taking the list Lucy made and tucking it away.

“I’m always here for you, boy. Now get out and send Rose in here. I want to look at her legs again.”

I leave and say on my way out, “Rose, go get lunch and don’t come back for two hours.”

“He wants to look at my legs again?” she says.

“Yup.”

“When are you taking over the firm?” Rose gets up from her desk and gathers up her purse.

“Soon.”

Chapter Four Lucy

I stare at myself in the mirror, wondering what the hell I’m doing. Eden can be too much of a smooth talker at times. Somehow she got me to agree to go on a date with someone she knows. She said that I needed to get out there. I haven't been on a date since before I lost my mom. I think what really tipped me over the edge today was the fact that I haven't heard from Wyatt in a few days.

Even when he gets busy at work he still finds the time to send me a few texts throughout the day. I suppose working and trying to meet a list full of ladies can keep you busy. I’m getting a taste of what life will be like when he really does have a wife. And to be honest, I don’t care for it very much. Yet I know him finding someone and getting married is inevitable.

What if she doesn't want me around? I mean, let’s be honest, who wants a single girl hanging out with their husband? Especially if you’re married to Wyatt, who is the whole package. He’s sweet, funny, extremely successful, and damn if he isn't one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen in my life. I have no idea why he even needs a list of women. He could have his pick of them. They throw themselves at him already.

He’s oblivious to their advances, as far as I can tell. But that doesn’t stop them from shoving their boobs and numbers into his face all the damn time. He may not notice, but I certainly do. He can’t take a hint, and I find it adorable. It only makes him more appealing.

He has no idea how hot he is, and he’s not checking out women all the time. He’d make a good husband. At least I think so. That is, if he slows down some. He’s consumed with work at this point in his life, but maybe having someone to go home to would change that.

Kids would come soon after. Wyatt would want to be a hands-on dad. I know whenever I call or text him, he always makes time for me. He would do the same for a wife, I would think.

“Crap.” I grab a napkin from the holder and wipe the tear away that escaped thinking about how much my life is going to change.

For so long I’ve been using Wyatt to lean on, and there is a big chance I could actually lose him if whoever he picks to marry pushes me out of the picture. Which they should because I’m secretly in love with him. But I love him enough to want to see him happy.

I fix the light makeup I put on before running my fingers through the loose curls in my hair one last time. Once I’m done, I grab my phone off the sink and snag a pair of heels out of my tiny closet. I’ve only got two pairs, so it makes it easy to choose. I have my work heels for when I have