It was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay.
"I'll do anything." I finally managed to say to the sexy man before me, my eyes opening and gazing up at him desperately. Tears began to well in the corners of my eyes.
Tears of relief, happiness, and pure shock.
There had to be something that I could do for him, some way to help this man who had everything.
"Macy," He sighed, a grin parting to show his pearly white teeth, "You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that."
Chapter Four
Quizzically, I pulled away from Sebastian, wiping at my eyes.
"What is it exactly that you want from me?" I asked deliberately, eyes narrowing.
Slowly, my sheer happiness began to give way to suspicion. Of course h hadn’t just done this out of the goodness of his heart...but what I could possibly give him that the billionaire couldn't get himself?
Sebastian Davis was a sexy, handsome, wealthy man who owned his own huge business. I was a plain Jane who owned a failing bakery.
"I have several...familial issues that need to be taken care of." He replied, just as slowly.
I could tell how painstakingly he chose each of his words. This did nothing to relieve my suspicion.
"What does your family have to do with me?" I asked uncertainly.
His tone set me on edge. Had I made a deal with the mafia unknowingly? Was I going to get whacked on my way to the grocery store next week?
I’d been watching too much of The Sopranos.
"Unfortunately," He sighed, "it has everything to do with you."
Without another word, I stood, turning my back to him as I walked into the bakery's kitchen.
He groaned, pacing after me, "Listen, Macy, I know this is a strange circumstance but if you give me a chance-"
This time, it was my turn to cut off the person begging for a favor. I held up a single finger, glaring at the billionaire as I turned on the coffeepot.
"You are going to wait until I've had some coffee before you explain whatever this is. Got it?" I said sternly.
He nodded, mute as a church mouse, watching as I grabbed two cups from the counter.
Minutes later, we were once again seated at one of the cream colored tables in the shop. Had I ever gotten customers, I'd have been worried one of them would walk in on this serious conversation I was having in my pajamas. Fortunately enough for me, that wasn't likely to happen.
"Now you may begin." I said calmly, inhaling the bitter scent of my coffee as I watched Sebastian pour an endless amount of sugar into his.
I shook my head, trying not to judge him. I only liked a splash of cream in my own coffee, though I was perfectly content with drinking it black.
"As I was saying," He began once more, "I have some family issues."
"Don't we all?" I chuckled, shaking my head as I sipped up the coffee. It warmed me from my cheeks to my toes. Though I couldn't bake, I could make a damn good cup o' Joe.
"Yes. But mine are a bit of an...extenuating circumstance." He cleared his throat.
"Listen, you can circle around the drain all you want but eventually you're just going to have to tell me what you need." I sighed, shaking my head at his flowery language.
There was no dance he could pull that would hide what needed to be said.
He stared forlornly into his mug, watching as the sugar and cream swirled lazily together.
"I need to get married." He finally whispered, "I need a bride and I want it to be you."
My chin jerked up, coffee mug slipping quickly from between my fingers to drop roughly onto the table, where it thankfully did not spill all over me.
"You need a what now?" I replied, the room once again swirling.
Was this a practical joke? Was he in on something with Mrs. Harrison to make me feel even worse than I already did?
His hand reached across the rickety table to softly cup my elbow, but I lurched backwards away from his touch.
"What the hell are you thinking?" I snapped venomously, "What kind of game are you playing at here?"
"I'm not playing a game." Sebastian replied, his London lilt somber, eyes even more so.
His hands folded politely in front of him, as though he were waiting for me to calm down.
For some reason, that made me even more angry.
"This isn't funny." I hissed bitterly, jerking up to my feet so hastily that the chair behind me skittered loudly against the ground, though neither of us flinched, "Did you really even help me with the lease or was that part of this sick joke?"
"I really helped you." He replied, too blue eyes following my every movement, "I helped you before I even asked you for help. I won't be taking it back."
"I just don't understand." I whispered, still waiting for the laughter to break the tense stillness between us. There was no way this was real.