When lunch time arrived, Skyler decided to have a quick sandwich at the local Wendy’s Restaurant. After she had gotten her food, she went over to a table by the window, and sat down. She hadn’t been paying much attention to the two men sitting at the table behind her, as her mind was on Isaac and his betrayal, as she’d lost a friend this morning. It wasn’t until Skyler was cleaning up her lunch that she heard what was being said behind her, and thinking it was an interested topic, she continued to listen to their conversation.
“Holden, all you have to do is find a wife in the next twenty-four hours, and then you’ll be able to stay in the county,” Max Grove told his friend.
Holden shook his head. “It would be easier for me to find a new job as a scientist than for me to find some stranger to marry me on this short of notice.”
“Really?” he said sarcastically. “Isn’t that what you’ve been trying to do for the last month?”
“A real friend wouldn’t mention that,” Holden teased his friend good-naturally.
Max shook his head. “Holden, I am a real friend, but I can’t produce a miracle out of a hat.”
“What woman would want to marry an unemployed scientist?”
Hearing that question and thinking she could be of some assistance, Skyler stood and started towards their table. As her eyes fell on the young man who need a job or a wife, her mouth fell open, as he was one of the best-looking man she’d ever seen, who had the bluest eyes that were at this moment looking directly at her.
When Holden saw someone had stepped up to their table, he looked up and was surprised to see a beautiful woman staring at him. “May I help you,” Holden asked her.
Skyler blushed at being caught staring at him. “I’m sorry to intrude, but I happened to overhear your predicament and I thought I might be able to help you with your problem.”
“Not only do you have some nerve listening to our private conversation but then have the gall to give us advice,” Max told her loudly, angry this woman had eavesdropped on their private conversation.
“Max, will you please shut up and let the woman talk.” Holden turned back towards Skyler. “Would you care to join us?”
“Okay, how can you help my friend?” Max’s cold eyes never left hers.
She didn’t take offense to the friend’s rude behavior. “Thank you. First, I must apologize for listening to your confidential conversation. I didn’t hear why you had to find a job or a wife, but when I heard you were a scientist, it caught my attention.”
“I originally came here on a job visa, and when I married my wife who was a US citizen, I didn’t need to worry about being deported, but she died six months ago. Recently the company, I was working for let all their employees go, which caused me to lose my visa. Because of those factors, I’m being deported to back to Canada,” Holden told her.
“I’m sorry to hear about your wife,” Skyler told him.
“Don’t be,” he replied, thinking of his wife’s infinity and the fact that she’d tried to poison him so she could be with her lover.
Shocked by his statement, she started backing away as she was uncomfortable by the fact, he could say something like that about his deceased wife. “I think I should be going,” Skyler said.
Holden instantly regretted his earlier reply. “Please wait and let me explain about my comment, then you’ll understand why I said what I did.”
“Okay, I’m listening.” She would listen, but that didn’t mean she was going to believe a word he said.
Holden promptly told her about Lisa dying because she had tried to poison him, but instead she’d accidently ingested it herself.
Skyler was shocked by what he told her, so much so she wasn’t sure if she believed him.
She looked over at Max and he nodded at her. “He’s telling the truth. If she hadn’t ingested the poison herself, Holden might have been the one who’d died.”
“Where do you work?” Holden asked to get her mind off his comment about Lisa.
“I work for Dixon’s Cosmetics.”
Holden smiled at her comment. “They’ve been in the news a lot lately.”
“I know for a fact that we have a job opening as one of our employees was fired just this morning. What are your credentials?”
When he told her the names of the two companies, he’d work for over the last five years, Skyler knew that Scott Raine, the HR manager would be crazy not to hire this man to take Isaac’s place.
“If you like, you can come back to the office with me and fill out an application for the job. I can’t guarantee Scott will hire you today, but at least you’ve given it a shot.”
“I’d like that,” he replied with a smile.
“In case you don’t get hired today, couldn’t you get an extension to stay here until you find another job?”
“I did, but that time is now up.”
“I tell you what,” she started; as she’d decided this man should be able to stay in this country. “If you don’t get hired today, I’ll marry you myself.” She waited for the feeling of dread to hit her, but it didn’t appear.
Max laughed. “Now why would you do that?” he said in a nasty tone, wondering if she knew how much his friend was worth.
She looked coldly at Max. “I just feel with Holden’s experience, he’d be a great asset to our company. That and I would hate to see him sent back to Canada when I could have prevented it.”
Max started to say something else, but Holden interrupted before he could. “Thank you for your offer, but don’t you have someone in your life that you rather marry?”
“I did, but he chose his mother over me, so now he’s history,” she stated, not hiding the relief of not marrying Jarvis from him.
“His stupidity is my good fortune and I accept your offer with the option that we dissolve the marriage with an annulment after I get a new job.”
“I can live with that,” she muttered. She was a bit disappointed to know it wouldn’t be a long-lasting marriage or one where they would have sex. She blushed when thoughts of making love to this good-looking man filled her head. “Since we don’t know each other, we should sign a prenuptial agreement to protect our assets,” she said quickly, hoping to take the man’s mind off her blush.
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“That’s the smartest thing you’ve said so far,” Max piped up.
Holden wondered what had caused her cheeks to turn a shade of light red, but his friend’s comment caused him to give Max a look that said for him to keep out of their conversation.
Skyler didn’t notice the exchange between the two men as she was digging in her purse. “Here is my business card. Do you want to follow me to the office to fill out the application or stop by later?” she asked as she looked up at Holden.
He took her card. “I don’t want you to be late getting back to work, so I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I’m not in any hurry. If you don’t mind, I’ll sit with you while you finish your lunch.”
Holden grabbed what was left of his fries and quickly stuck them in his mouth. “That’s okay, I’m ready to leave,” he said, as he didn’t want to lose the possibility of getting a job.
The three of them stood and started for the door. When they got outside, Holden started walking her to her car.
“What are you doing?” she asked, as she was afraid that he had lied to her about looking for a job.
“I’m walking you to your car.”
Her eyes widen by his comment. “You don’t have to do that.”
He smiled at her. “I know I don’t have to, but a gentleman should always walk a lady to her car.”
She put her hand up to her lips and whispered behind her hand. “I should tell you that I’m not always a lady,” she said with a smile.
He chuckled at her comment. “I find that hard to believe.”
“You should hear me when I get angry as sometimes, I say some very colorful words.”
Holden laughed at her statement. “If we ever get married, I’ll have to be sure not to infuriate you.”
He opened her car door and she looked back at him. “Somehow I don’t see you ever doing anything to make me mad at you.”
He smiled an ornery grin. “The day’s still young.”
She chuckled. “I’ll see you at my office.”
* * *
When Holden pulled into a parking spot, she started towards his car, reaching it just as he got out. “Isn’t your friend coming in with you?” she asked when she saw Max had remained in his own car talking on his cell phone.
“No, he’s trying to find a way for me to stay in the country if this interview doesn’t pan out.”
“Have you two been friends long?” she asked, thinking the two men didn’t seem to be of the same caliber.
“Since we were in grade school. He moved here after he was married, so he was able to help me with all the paperwork necessary for me to work in this country.”
Skyler took Holden to the Human Resource office and introduced him to Scott. After he filled out the application and handed it to him, Scott told him that he had several other applications to go over and would contact him as soon as he could.
When Holden stepped out of HR office, Skyler hurried to him. “When do you start?”
“He let me fill out an application, but I didn’t get an interview as he has several other applicants to meet with first.”
She was surprised by his statement, as she assumed Scott would jump at the chance of hiring someone with Holden’s experience. “You showed him your resume?”
“Yes, he didn’t seem all that impressed.”
She shook her head in anger. “That’s because he’s an ass and is planning to fill the position with one of his relatives.”
Holden laughed. “You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do, as he’s already hired five of his cousins. He wants to hire more, and before you know it; his family will be running this company,” she replied angrily.
“Want else can I do?” he asked helplessly.
“I would like for Mr. Goodman to see your resume before Scott has a chance to rule you out as an employee, but he’s out of the office until next week.”
“You’ve done your best to get me a job, so don’t feel bad that it didn’t work out.”
“If we hurry, we can get married at the courthouse today, and then at least you wouldn’t have to worry about being sent back to Canada while we wait for Mr. Goodman to return.”
He took hold of her hand. “I really appreciate your marriage offer, but I can’t let you do it.”
“I should tell you that not only am I not a virgin, but I’ve been with two different men this week,” she said as if he hadn’t spoken. “I know that sounds sort of bad, but Jarvis was my fiancée. When we broke up Isaac was helping me mend my broken heart by getting me tippy and taking me to bed. Of course, when he tried to steal my formula for a new perfume, things fell apart with the two of us.”
“Skyler, you don’t have to tell me your life sexual history.”
“Yes, I do, as my husband you have the right to know.”
He gave her a weak smile. “I’m not going to hold you to your marriage offer.”
“I bet Max would tell you that you’re making a mistake if you don’t.”
“I’ll accept that bet.” He squeezed her hand as they started towards the parking lot, he was instantly stunned by the desire the simple touch had caused.
When he got to his car, he motioned for Max to step out. “I need you to tell this woman why I can’t marry her.”
Max just shook his head to the negative. “I can’t do that my friend as I think she’s the answer to your prayers.”
“Max, you can’t mean that,” he said giving his friend a confused look. “Skyler and I are complete strangers; how do you expect us to actually get married?”
“You said you would get an annulment once you got a job, so what’s the big deal.” He’d been on the phone to check Skyler out, not only was she a brilliant scientist, but she had plenty of her own money.
Holden turned back to Skyler. “Skyler, if we’re going to get married, it would have to be today. What about your job?”
“I’ll call and tell them that something has come up and will be back to work tomorrow.”
Holden shook his head in defeat. “Okay, let’s do it.”
Max had to protect his friend’s money just in case Skyler wanted some of it for marrying his friend. “Before you can get married, you both need to sign a prenuptial agreement. Once that’s done, we’re good to go. Where do you suggest we get a copy of one?”
“I just happen to have one at my house, and since it hasn’t been filled out with any names yet, we can use it.”
Neither men asked why she had a copy of a prenuptial agreement at her home nor did she explain. How could she explain she thought Jarvis wanted to marry her only because of the money she’d gotten in the settlement with the police and thinking that, she was willing to marry him just the same?
The men followed Skyler to her house.
After the necessary paperwork had been signed, the group started for the courthouse. While Max drove, Skyler and Holden sat in the back and talked about their lives.
* * *
Their wedding had been quick, as it had to be squeezed in between two scheduled weddings. Maybe it was because she had been the bride, but Skyler hadn’t minded the hurried service, as she felt it was the most beautiful wedding ceremony she’d seen in her life. What she found strange, was even though he was a stranger, she didn’t feel any of the upheave she had felt with the idea of marrying Jarvis.
After Holden had kissed his bride, a warm happy glow flowed through Skyler, causing her to have thoughts of staying permanently married to her new husband and starting a family with him.
“What are we going to do about our living arrangements?” she asked as she looked into his eyes.
Holden took hold of her hand. “Since this isn’t a real marriage or be a long one, it would be best if we continued to live in our own places. That way, when the marriage ends, we won’t have to move our stuff again.”
“I guess that would be best.” What he’d said did make a lot of sense, but she was a bit disappointed, as how would they consummate their marriage if they weren’t even living in the same house. As that was the only way, she knew how to keep this man in her life.
“Where would you like to go for dinner?” Max asked them as they stepped out of the courthouse.
“How about the bowling alley?” Holden asked as a joke, wondering if his new bride would react the same way the last woman he’d asked had at that question.
Skyler gave him a perplexed look, as his choice for dinner was surprising. Then again, knowing the local bowling alley had great food; she could understand why he’d asked. “I don’t think we should,” she told him with longing, as if they went there to eat, she would want to bowl.
“Why not?” he asked, surprised she sounded disappointed, instead of being angry at his suggestion.
“If we did, I’d want to bowl a couple of frames while we’re there,” she replied as she looked at him.
His mouth dropped open, as he hadn’t been expecting her to indicate that the only reason, she didn’t want to eat at the bowling alley was because she’d want to bowl while they were there.
“We aren’t in any hurry so we could play a game or two after we’ve eaten.”
“We should probably change our clothes, as we may shock everyone in your suit and my dress.”
Max put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “No, you can’t go there, as I want to take you to some place nice to celebrate your wedding. How about having dinner at the Outback?” He asked, as he wanted to show his support of his friend’s hurried marriage
Not wanting to hurt his friend, Holden asked Skyler if they could go to the bowling alley some other time and she nodded. “The Outback it is.”
Once they were seated, steaks and several bottles of champagne were ordered. After dinner, Max drove them back to Skyler’s home, goodbyes were said, and he went on his way.