She gave him a half-hearted smile. “Fine. Just haven’t been sleeping all that well. Must be a full moon.”
Hoping to make her laugh, he said, “I thought that only bothered little old ladies.” It worked.
“I feel like one today. I’m sorry I can’t go, Ethan. Thanks for asking.”
Once back in his office, he was too restless to settle into reviewing the document his assistant had given him earlier that morning. Dallas occupied his thoughts. The prenup shouldn’t prevent her from marrying him. He had so much to offer her. She’d never want for anything. He’d pay for her university, and afterward, she’d never have to work. Of course, her daughter would go to the very best schools. He’d make sure of it. Her education would prepare her for an Ivy League college. He and Dallas would travel extensively, of course.
So, why did he sense an underlying problem? She didn’t seem like a woman who’d had a man lay the world at her feet. Sure, there was the matter of the prenup, but he got the feeling that wasn’t the whole problem. Maybe she hadn’t thought about all the benefits marrying him offered.
He picked up his cell and dialed her. “Would you please come to dinner at my place Sunday evening? It’s important. It’ll be casual, don’t worry.”
She hesitated. “It’s important?”
“It really is. Please?”
“Of course, I’ll come.”
“I’ll send a car. Thank you, Dallas.” He had three days to plan. Sunday, he’d close this deal.
SATURDAY MORNING, WHEN she went to pick up Piper, Dallas sat at the kitchen table at her parents’ house, drinking coffee with her mother while her daughter watched cartoons in the living room. “Mom, I didn’t tell you something that happened on my New York trip. Ethan asked me to marry him.”
Her mother’s eyes widened then narrowed as she examined Dallas’s face. “Something’s wrong.”
Dallas sighed and took a drink of her coffee. “Yeah. It is. He gave me a prenuptial agreement to review. The whole thing is weird.” She surveyed the cracks on the opposite wall. “That’s just part of my problem, if you can believe it. Since Cash broke up with me, I quit feeling or something.”
Searching her mom’s face, she said, “I remember caring deeply for Ethan, but that’s gone. How can I marry him if I don’t get that feeling back?”
“You can’t, honey.”
Her face crumpled. “What’s wrong with me, Momma?”
Her mom reached across the table and clasped her wrists, giving her a shake. “Look at me now. One thing I know is there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re honest and true. It doesn’t matter who you marry as long as that man makes you feel whole, and strong, and joyful. That’s when you’ll have a good life.”
Dallas blinked and sucked in a breath. Whole and strong and joyful. How wonderful would it be to feel like that? “Momma, you’re so wise. I love you.” Picking up her purse, she called Piper. Dallas had a lot of thinking to do.
ETHAN TUCKED THE TWO bound reports on top of the refrigerator, out of sight. After working on them all weekend, he had the perfect presentation ready for Dallas. He uncorked the wine and poured himself a glass. She should arrive any minute. It was hard to believe, but his pulse was racing. So much depended on her response. She must see the wisdom in marrying him, and he hoped she would agree to do so tonight.
He heard the car pull up outside and went to the door to meet her. Dallas looked stunning as she stepped out of the car with her long golden hair and the bright summer dress they’d bought when he took her shopping. God, he absolutely had to make this woman his wife.
Hurrying down the steps, he took her in his arms. “Welcome. I opened the wine, and dinner is ready. I ordered in, and it just arrived.”
She smiled and followed him into the house.
Wanting a more intimate setting than the large table where he entertained, he led her to the kitchen and pulled out a chair for her at the table. “I thought we could eat in here. You can get lost in my big dining room.”
“Fine with me. This is a beautiful kitchen. Do you cook a lot?”
He glanced around his state-of-the-art kitchen outfitted with stainless-steel appliances and stocked with everything a chef could want. “No, not at all. I’m not really into it. If I have guests, I have it catered. Do you?”
She grinned. “Uh, not much choice here. I do simple things, mostly. Working two jobs, I don’t have much time to cook. My mom taught me some old family recipes that are nice, though.”
Pouring her a glass of wine, he said, “You work way too hard.”
Sighing, she answered, “Again, not much choice. Not if I want to go back to school.”
He nodded and headed over to the oven where he removed four foil trays and set them on a baking sheet. After taking them to the table, along with a basket of warm bread, he grinned at Dallas. “Lots and lots of Italian food. Dig in.”
He kept the conversation light during dinner. His stomach had tied itself in knots, and he wasn’t hungry. Though he nibbled his food, he was ready for the damned meal to end.
At last, she set her fork down. “I can’t eat another bite. Ethan, the way you feed me, I’m going to get fat.”
Laughing, he teased, “Don’t you dare!” With a gesture, he said, “Head on into the living room. I’ll be right there.” As she left the room, he retrieved the reports from their hiding place, grabbed the wine and his glass, and then paused, taking a deep breath. This was it. He put on his most engaging smile and strode from the room.
Dallas sat on the sofa, sipping her wine. She smiled at him as he approached.
He hoped she was still smiling when he finished his presentation.
