Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Emilee Wagner
I’ve been sheltered my entire life, and now my dad is marrying me off just because I’m in love with someone he thinks is after his money. He just doesn’t get it. Because of that, he’s arranged a marriage for me to an older man. Like I need another dad.
Alex Winterbourne
I never made time for a personal life. I was convinced an arranged marriage would be perfect for me until I found out how young Emilee is. I don’t care that her father says she’s an old soul; I’m not interested in being a babysitter. But as our eyes meet, everything changes. Now, I’ll do anything to have her as my wife.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Alex
The champagne is flowing, the buzz of conversation fills the air, the glittering lights of the Empire State Building paint a gorgeous backdrop, but all I can do is watch the beautiful couple on the dance floor. This must be their tenth dance together tonight. Not that I’m counting.
I grab another flute of champagne as it floats by on a tray, then look at my watch.
What is too early for the best man to leave? I wonder.
“Good to see you, Alex.”
Harold Weinberger’s rich baritone is unmistakable. He was my father’s closest friend before his death six years ago.
“I’m glad you could make it,” I say. “I’m sure Ryan is too.”
Harold smiles as he looks at the dancing bride and groom. “His happiness has nothing to do with any of us,” he says. “It’s all about her.”
“As it should be,” I clink my glass against his. “To the happy couple, my brother and his princess.”
“Here, here!” Harold says before he takes a sip of his drink. “You know that could be you out there.”
I peer out at Carina as she floats in my brother’s arms. She’s wearing an elegant white gown with sequins that twinkle from the lights. Her curly blonde hair is held in place by a golden antique hair comb with blue stones. I wasn’t exaggerating when I called her a princess.
I smile to myself as I think about my relationship with them and how much I would like my own bride. But some things aren’t meant to be.
“I’m too old to be dating,” I say. “My time has passed. I could never trust anyone enough for a commitment anyway.”
“Too old?” Harold scoffs, then moves closer to me before lowering his voice. “Have you met Abe? He’s one of the trustees that your father assigned to his will.”
Abe is sitting beside a pretty redhead in her thirties. She leans over to kiss his cheek and then heads towards the bar. Abe swipes at his wispy white hair, positioning it over his scalp as he watches her walk away.
“I’m guessing that’s not his daughter,” I say. “I hope it’s not with how he’s looking at her.”
A burst of laughter escapes from Harold, causing some people to turn his way.
I hold up my glass. “He’s had a little too much,” I say to them, holding back my own laughter before taking another sip.
“My point is that if you want to get married, you should. How old are you now? Fifty? And you’ve never been married?”
“Forty-six, and I haven’t. You know how it is. There are plenty of women out there who would give anything to marry a billionaire. I want someone who will love me for me, not my money.”
“Ahh, yes, the billionaire’s curse. They always want our money.” He sighs, and then his eyes widen. “You know what? You should talk to Abe,” he says. “I don’t know much about what he does, but he and his friends have been up to something.”
“What do you mean?”
“Between you and me, I think they’re arranging marriages. There are a lot of men out there like us who want or even need to get married but can’t for whatever reason. I have no idea how he does it, but if you’re curious, why not talk to him? What have you got to lose?”
I grab another glass of champagne from a passing tray and down the contents in one swallow. It could be the champagne influencing me or even the happy bride and groom, but everything that Harold said makes sense.
Looking back at the dance floor, I watch as Ryan dips Carina before kissing her lips. Her arms wrap around his shoulders as her lips press against his. When the song ends, they separate to applaud the band, and Carina notices me watching. A smile lights up her face, and she brings her hand up to her lips and blows a kiss to me before my brother whisks her away to their table.
“You’re right, Harold. A conversation never hurt anyone,” I say before heading over to Abe.
“What do you mean you’re going to miss our tee time? Between you and Ryan, I don’t know who is more difficult to get out on the green lately.”
Daniel Faber is an old friend of my brother’s. Until Ryan’s wedding, the three of us had been meeting for a weekly golf game at the country club. I should’ve let Daniel know that I had plans, but it slipped my mind until I was on the way to meet the woman I might marry.
“I’m sorry, Daniel. I know this is last minute, but this is important,” I say.
“You’re joking, right? You’re not really going to meet some woman for an arranged marriage, right?”
“I know it sounds ridiculous, but I have a good feeling about this.”
“A good feeling? Listen, I know plenty of women who could give you some great feelings if that’s what you’re looking for. You don’t need to get married for that.”