Keep the Girl, Lose the Deal

One drunk night with my best friend's brother, Eddie Sutton, and I became his secret girlfriend.

Eight years later, my family finally snapped. They gave me a deadline and lined up a guy for me to marry.

"Eddie, my family gave me a deadline. I have to get married this year."

He went quiet, then kissed my forehead.

Same old answer.

"Just wait a little longer."

Not long after, I found a post from his intern, Gina Yapp.

The photo was of her and Eddie's marriage license.

Caption:

[CEO secured.]

What I couldn't get in eight years, she got in three months.

I swallowed the bitterness and hit Like.

Then I commented:

[Congrats. Wishing you both a happy life.]

After that, I accepted the wedding date my family had set.

My phone rang.

For the first time, Eddie sounded scared. "Don't take it the wrong way. I only got the license with Gina because I lost a bet with my friends—"

I cut him off. "Eddie, I'm getting married."

Two seconds of silence.

Then Eddie's voice came through, sharp with impatience. A girl giggled softly in the background.

"Here we go again. Are you seriously that desperate to get married? The company's cash flow is about to crash. Can you stop causing drama?"

I stood in the evening breeze, phone in hand, my voice calm. "I'm not causing drama. I'm really getting married."

He scoffed, like I'd told the funniest joke ever. "You don't even have a guy to flirt with. Who are you marrying? Air?"

I almost said Brody Blanco's name.

But Eddie was already hanging up.

"Enough. I have to take this. The license was just a dare. Don't make it a thing."

The busy tone buzzed in my ear.

I stared at the dead screen, my fingers cold and stiff.

Eight years.

His answer never changed.

"Don't overthink it."

The next day, I walked into the office with two boxes of fancy chocolates.

The whole floor buzzed.

Gina stood in the middle of the crowd, cheeks pink.

"Gina, you're insane. Mr. Sutton is so cold, and you locked him down in three months?"

"You're basically the boss's wife now. Don't forget us little people."

Gina covered her face and laughed. Not loud, but loud enough for the whole office to hear.

"It's not like that. We only got the license because of a game. Don't tell anyone, okay?"

I laughed under my breath.

She'd already blasted it online. Now she wanted privacy?

Then she spotted the chocolates in my hands and rushed over in her heels. She hooked her arm through mine and shook it.

"Ms. Jenner! Did Mr. Sutton ask you to prep our wedding favors? Thanks for doing all this!"

I was about to say no.

Instead, she grabbed the chocolates from my hands, ripped open the packaging, and started handing them out.

"Everyone, come try some! Mr. Sutton personally picked these artisan chocolates!"

The office exploded with cheers and compliments.

Everyone was praising Eddie for being thoughtful and romantic.

Just then, he stepped out of the elevator.

The crowd immediately started shouting.

"Thanks for the wedding favors, Mr. Sutton!"

Gina looked up at him shyly, every bit the glowing bride.

Eddie paused for a second.

Then he smiled and went along with it. "Glad you like them."

"The chocolates are mine."

The second I said it, the whole office went dead silent.

Every eye snapped to me.

Eddie's face darkened. Panic flashed in his eyes.

"Josie Jenner, this is an office, not the place for your tantrums."

"I'm not throwing a tantrum." I held his stare. "They're from me. I'm getting married next Saturday."

His expression got even colder. He strode over and lowered his voice, teeth clenched.

"Do you really have to push me like this?"

Someone nearby snorted.

"Josie, we've never even seen you with a boyfriend. Who are you marrying? Don't tell me you're so jealous Gina's marrying Mr. Sutton that you've lost it."

Gina's eyes turned red. She bit her lip.