Scrooge

9. Alexander

9

ALEXANDER

“Y our what?” Haylee screeches in front of me. She looks horrified, and I should be offended, but it will just make things easier. No feelings involved from either of us. A simple transaction.

“Whoa…” Laurent says. “I need to sit down.” Acting dramatic, he lunges to the leather armchair, gripping on to the back of it to steady himself like he is about to faint.

“Alexander?” Sheridan asks tentatively as she steps forward. She’s reserving judgment. But all my attention is on the small brunette in front of me, the one looking at me, wide-eyed, mouth open, her pout glossy and perfect. I swallow hard thinking about what those lips would feel like beneath mine.

“You need to save your shop. I need a woman to be by my side to change my profile. I am suggesting an agreement,” I explain to Haylee, who is now looking pale, and I am wondering if she is the one who needs to take a seat instead of Laurent. I feel a little bad catching her off guard like this. But I roll my shoulders back and mentally shake it off. This is business; I need to be ruthless, remain firm.

“Say what now?” she asks, shock still evident on her face, and I huff a small laugh. She’s cute when lost for words.

“You need to save your business, and I need a committed relationship. It is a win-win,” I repeat, relieved to have such a plan. I hadn’t thought about it until she showed up here. But it makes sense. She needs something from me, and I need something from her. It is the perfect arrangement.

“You have lost your goddamn mind.”

My chest hurts a little at her statement. I don’t even know if she has a boyfriend. But she doesn't wear a ring and didn’t mention a significant other. I’d think if she had one, that would have been the first argument to not doing this with me.

“You want to save Tucker Toys, don’t you?” I press, watching her eyes flame.

“Blackmail wasn’t really on my agenda when I came here today,” she snarls.

“What was your agenda? Turn up with flowers and beg? Feel free to get on your knees for me, Sunflower.” The nickname falls from my lips too quickly for me to stop it, her cheeks heating in response as she swallows audibly. Having her get on her knees would have been a sight. I clear my throat as I feel my dick thicken at the mere thought.

“Ahhh. What is happening?” Laurent asks, and I look up at him as he flicks his gaze between Haylee and me.

“You both told me that I need to commit to one person,” I say nonchalantly.

“We did,” Sheridan says with a firm nod, clearly on board with this.

“And this is who I choose. A simple agreement. Haylee will agree to dating me. We’ll be photographed at a few places together, enough to make our suppliers and stakeholders feel more settled. Then we can end this charade when things are back on track. It shouldn’t take long.”

“I can’t believe this,” she mutters as her fingers grip her ear to the point of her lobe turning red.

“In return, Haylee and her family get to keep Tucker Toys, on the same rental agreement they have had for the next two years,” I add, and Haylee relaxes marginally as she takes a few deep breaths. Not knowing anything about her personal circumstances, I wonder now why their rent hasn’t increased over the years, something I need to look into.

“This is great. Just what we needed,” Sheridan says, clapping her hands and smiling.

“I haven’t agreed to anything yet,” Haylee interjects, the shock wearing off as this fully sinks in.

“Do you want to save Tucker Toys, or don't you?” I ask. I have to refrain from huffing at her resistance. I just want to get this done.

“How long do we need to date?” she questions, crossing her arms over her chest in defiance, but at least she is considering it.

“Until Christmas. You can break up after the holidays. The press will be skeleton staff over the break, so it will create less of a ripple,” Laurent jumps in.

“We will draw up a legal contract. We can’t tell anyone. It is a simple business transaction. No feelings, no money exchanging hands. I get to settle my profile, and you get to keep Tucker Toys. That is it,” I reiterate, but her stance doesn’t budge.

“I love Tucker Toys…” Laurent mumbles, and Haylee looks at him sharply.

“I need to tell my sister,” Haylee says, and my eyes narrow in on hers.

“The less people who know, the better,” I tell her.

“Well, you get two people in on this charade. I need at least one.” She moves her hands down to her hips, head tilted up to face me fully, that fiery nature back in play. I can’t say I hate it. Negotiation is a strength of hers, and I find it more attractive than I want to.

“Can she be trusted?” I ask her, and she rolls her eyes at me. My jaw clenches in frustration.

“Can I be trusted?” she bites back, and I don’t even have to question that. Something deep inside tells me she is loyal.

“Fine,” I say, nodding. “Your sister can know.”

“And no kissing, touching, or any funny business,” she says in a rush, waving her hand around, like she’s trying to smack away even the idea of it.

“Funny business?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow as my eyes trail down her body, just to further mess with her, taking in her short and curvy frame. When she sends me a death glare, I nod to her in agreement. “We don’t need to cross lines. Business only,” I confirm.

“You will need to kiss. At least in public. Hold hands, look at each other adoringly over candlelight dinners…” Laurent says, looking like he’s stuck in a daydream.

“No tongue!” Haylee demands, shaking her head at me pointedly. No woman has ever not enjoyed their time with me, and I am slightly taken aback that she isn’t interested in me that way. But it is a business proposal and there have to be rules. Her not wanting anything more with me will only make everything easier when it comes time to end things. Haylee insulted me from the moment we met, so clearly has no feelings toward me, romantic or financial or otherwise, outside of saving her toy shop. That suits me just fine.

“Fine,” I tell her, not wavering from her gaze.

“Then it is a deal.” She snaps out her hand for me to shake, and I slip my hand into hers, encasing her small palm in my own and shaking.

“I will get a legal document drawn up,” Sheridan says, smiling, clearly happy with this outcome.

“I will start on a media profile. Plan out where you two met and how long you have known each other. You can both study it and get on the same page, because when you go public, it is going to get busy,” Laurent warns, and I stiffen.

“We met at Tucker Toys, the place where all fairy tales come to life,” Haylee says, her eyes still searing into mine. I raise an eyebrow because, even though that is correct, I see it for what it is. A ploy for PR for the shop. To bring more business to the store, and I appreciate her hustle. “Tucker Toys is an institution. It is the heartbeat of this city. And it’s where Alexander found his love.”

Laurent’s smiling bright when she finishes.

“I think she just wrote the leading headline to the press release.” He practically swoons at Haylee’s feet, and I frown, not liking him looking at her like that, even though he has a husband at home.

“Very good, Haylee with two E ’s,” I murmur as my eyes wander over her appreciatively. We are still holding each other’s hands, and I soften my grip a little, our handshake ending, yet our fingers entwine like we both don’t want to fully let go. She looks at me and gives me a short nod. She isn’t happy, but she’s going with it. I probably could have chosen any woman for this job, but I knew they would get too clingy.

Haylee isn’t like the usual woman I date, or even socialize with. In fact, she is probably the total opposite. Her Converse and natural hair are physical evidence of that. She’s down-to-earth and uncaring of high society manners. More of a girl next door.

“Don’t act like you know anything about me,” she murmurs in disbelief, as Sheridan and Laurent talk about a game plan. “I could be anyone, and you want me to be your fake fiancée.”

“So tell me, then.” Leaning against my desk, I cross my arms, waiting.

“I am a single mom. Two kids. Their dad is a deadbeat who still comes around asking for money.”

“Seriously?” I ask, not happy, because I don’t do kids.

“No. Not really. That is my sister Jillian's life. But you started panicking then, didn’t you?” she asks.

I exhale a breath of relief, but I must not be subtle because she shakes her head.

“Did you even think this through, Alex? The media are going to have a field day.”

“Yes, they will, and that is exactly what we want,” Laurent says triumphantly.

“A media frenzy should highlight your store perfectly for the holidays,” I add, dangling the carrot one more time. And there she goes, pulling at her ear. Something I notice she does when she is either thinking or nervous. It is annoyingly cute. As is her out-of-control hair that falls past her shoulders, dark and thick.

“I think we organize a makeover this week,” Laurent suggests as he walks up to Haylee and looks her up and down.

“It wouldn’t hurt,” Sheridan says and nods in agreement.

“I don’t need a makeover,” Haylee argues, her brow pinching.

“Darling, you are about to become public enemy number one in this town. Every woman, single or otherwise, will want to scratch your eyes out for dating the city's most eligible bachelor. Everyone is trying to date Alexander. So we need to Pretty Woman you up before the media picks apart every inch of your appearance,” Laurent explains, and I hadn’t thought of that. The media will also pick apart every inch of her store, her family, her history. I hope she is ready.

“Are you suggesting I am an escort?” she hisses at Laurent, and his head rears back.

“Not at all. But Alexander has a profile to build. He needs a woman of the same… stature.” He is trying and failing to be delicate.

“There is nothing wrong with Haylee’s appearance. She is fine as she is,” I butt in. She is clearly a beautiful woman. More natural than I would ordinarily date, but beautiful just the same.

“Just a few things. A haircut, new wardrobe, that kind of thing,” Sheridan continues with a kind smile, and my lips thin, but I nod. Knowing that if we don’t, that will give the media more ammunition that this isn’t the real deal.

“Think of it as a perk,” I tell Haylee, and she rolls her eyes at me.

“Can I go now… darling?” she says sarcastically, looking up at me and fluttering her lashes. This woman is going to be the death of me.

“Give me your details. I will call you with further arrangements.”

She grabs my silver pen from my desk, along with a notepad, and writes her cell number.

“There. Anything else?” she asks, lifting her chin.

“I’ll call you later, Sunflower,” I say to her quietly and watch her swallow, her cheeks tinting a little pinkish, before she turns and strides out of my office, closing the door behind her.

“Ahh, what is that?” Laurent asks with squinting eyes.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“That… there… On your face?” He points at me, taking a few steps closer.

“That’s a smile,” Sheridan says, grinning, and I push off my desk and circle back around to my chair. Realizing I was, indeed, just smiling.

“Stop being ridiculous.” Ignoring their glances, I take a seat. “Alright. Let’s get to work,” I say, getting Sheridan and Laurent on track.

I sure hope what I just did will be the answer to everyone’s problems.

I guess I’m officially on my way to being engaged.