Page 2 of Not His Bride

I try to read his posture. He’s used to people overplaying their hands, hoping they’ll fill the silence and sweeten the deal themselves. I don’t.

Tammy glances at her watch, a flick of annoyance or boredom. I’d guess the latter.

He finally lifts his scotch. Drinks once, steady.

Tammy turns back to the window. She’s watching two guests fumble through a waltz by the cupcake display. This entire reception is people pretending to have fun all while sweating that their place in the business world has been shaken up.

“We have the advantage if we want it. But we have to be sure.”

Phillip’s voice comes cold, even. “You’re sure.”

“I am. Between my companies and investments, I’m worth about one point one billion. I have a deal closing in Tokyo next week and another lined up for next quarter. You have the holdings, the brand recognition, the properties. Put our families together, and we’d be a powerhouse, more so than Arturo and his new bride will ever be.”

The negotiations have already started, whether anyone names them aloud.

He gives the smallest nod, as if to concede the point. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say Tammy and I have considered forming an allegiance with another family before.”

“Of course. It’s only natural. I’ll put something together. Formal, if that’s your preference. Or we can keep it off-paper for now.”

Tammy finally says, “You’re not going to dance?”

“Maybe after we close,” I say. “I’ll ask my future bride.”

That gets a small laugh. Even I chuckle until Phillip asks, “You mean Lilith, right?”

Lilith is Debbie’s younger sister. What about our conversation implied that I wanted to marry Lilith?

She’s here somewhere. Lilith, that is. I saw her earlier near the back of the ballroom, looking bored. She stands a full head shorter than Debbie, with silky black hair falling in soft waves around her face and more freckles than I could count scattered across her nose and cheeks. She’d been wearing some cyan dress that looks more beauty pageant than wedding, with that black choker she always has around her neck.

Lilith is pretty, but different. No one seems to understand her, including me. And I don’t have the time to get to know her, either. But Debbie? Debbie, I get. Where Debbie walks into a room and demands everyone look at her, Lilith seems perfectly content when nobody does.

I shift. “I think you’ve misunderstood. Debbie’s the best fit for my image. Her reputation, her profile, it’s already national. People respond to her. She’s made for this. She’s also got the temperament, ruthless when she needs to be. That’s what this merger demands.”

The bass from the band gets uglier, like the tune of my life right now.

Phillip puts his glass down, slow. “Debbie is not available for this arrangement.”

He could’ve shot me and I would’ve felt it less.

I stare at him, just to make sure I heard right, because it feels completely off-script. Even Tammy’s face goes blank, no signals showing.

“You’re serious.”

Phillip’s reply is flat. “I am.”

“Why isn’t Debbie available?”

Tammy finishes her champagne, still not speaking. I don’t think she’s even listening anymore.

Phillip is cut-throat. “There’s a pending proposal from the Fraser side.”

“What does Fraser have that I don’t?”

“Five million more in publicly verifiable assets,” Phillip says. “More favorable press.”

I stare at him. “You’re blocking me for five-million-dollars?” I can make that in my sleep.

“It’s not only about the profits. He’s on several lists. Second place, nationally.”