RUTHLESS GAME

Chapter 5: Difficult Decision

Ruby

Silence hung between us for what seemed like an eternity. Kenzi gaped at me, her dark brown eyes searching my face. Maybe she thought I was messing around and was waiting for me to yell, "gotcha!"

Unfortunately, my predicament was all too real, and it had been driving me crazy for days. Taking a deep breath, I continued, "I've been sick with thoughts of it and that's how I found myself in a bar trying to drink away the absurdity of the entire situation. Then I ended up in a stranger's bed."

I shrugged. "I thought if I'm going to be tied down to some guy I don't love, much less know, I might as well lose my virginity the way I wanted to."

Kenzie remained silent, and her mouth still hung open.

Squirming in my chair, I waited for her to say something. I imagined she thought I was off my rockers. Maybe I was.

It was a while before she recovered and said, "I'm still stuck on marriage of convenience."

Heat scorched my neck and spread to my face. I hung my head in shame because I couldn't believe I was even considering going through with an arranged marriage. It was the twenty-first century, for goodness' sake. Then again, business marriages were still a thing. "It sounds outlandish, I know. But here's the thing. My family's restaurant is in jeopardy."

Massaging my temples, I explained, "I've been in school for the past four years, so I haven't been paying much attention to the family business. Out of nowhere, my father tells me we're bankrupt and we're going to lose the restaurant. I need the restaurant to stay open."

Kenzi threw her arms out, and her face twisted into lines of sympathy. "That sucks, Ruby. I'm really sorry to hear that, but how does marriage come into play?"

"Some rich developer has his eyes on the property and, as a last resort, Dad proposed a merger instead of a buyout. When the man refused, Dad brought up marrying me so we could keep the business in the family. According to Dad, the whole idea just flew out without thought. He said he wasn't even serious. But surprisingly, the man accepted."

Kenzi scoffed. "Your father sounds like a total d**k, whether he meant to saddle you with a potential arranged marriage or not. I'm not looking forward to meeting him."

I lifted an eyebrow. "Well, I was never going to make any introductions. I stopped introducing my friends to him since I was eight. He's too damn embarrassing." My gambling addict father was a real asshole. Sometimes, I was ashamed to call him Dad.

Kenzie's dark eyes swirled with anger. "Who does that to their daughter? And that man who accepted that crazy suggestion sounds like a creep. Is it him you're supposed to marry?"

I stared into my coffee cup, my emotions in an upheaval. My father was definitely what Kenzie called him, a d**k. I even fantasized a few times about having a different father, but the old man was the only family I had left. I couldn't completely disown him. Besides, Dad loved me in his own distorted way.

I met Kenzie's gaze. "Actually, I'd be saddled to the man's son. His name is Stephen Thorne."

Resting her chin on her palm, Kenzie's eyes narrowed. "The name Thorne sounds familiar."

"It should. Apparently, the family is super wealthy. Like old money rich. They practically won half of Omaha. Still, I have no idea what this Stephen Thorne looks like. I almost looked him up. Surely, a high-profile rich man like him has pictures all over the internet. But I chickened out."

"What? Why? You should know what you're walking into."

"Because it doesn't matter what he looks like, Kenz. This whole thing is insane." Truth was, I was afraid that if I saw him before meeting him, I'd flat out refuse. It was silly to even consider going through with an arranged marriage with a stranger, but there was a lot at stake here.

"I can't believe you're actually thinking about this," Kenzi huffed.

"It isn't all about Dad making an insane proposal to a rich man. This is more about me needing to save my restaurant. That's how Dad managed to relentlessly badger me into agreeing to consider. It was hard to decide, and for some reason, I thought I'd find my answer in the bottom of a few cocktail glasses."

Kenzi snorted her disbelief, and I gave her an amused glance.

"Yeah, not my smartest moment. Anyway, that's how I ended up in a bar, drowning my sorrows and agreeing to a night of wild s*x with a stranger."

Julian had promised to help me forget my troubles, and he'd done a great job of accomplishing that. Despite everything weighing down on me, I couldn't stop thinking about him and the chemistry we had. I'd never had chemistry with anyone. I thought the whole s****l chemistry thing was a myth too. Julian was taking over my mind again, and I had to force him aside.

"You should refuse, Ruby. You're only twenty-five. You can't give up your freedom to save a restaurant. Just let it go. You can get another great job managing any business. You have a business degree. Plus, you can cook the hell out of anything. Get a job as a chef or something. You have options."

My fingers tapped out an agitated rhythm on the countertop. She wasn't wrong, but she didn't know the full story. I could defend my decision to think about the marriage, but it was all too much to get into and my emotions were already out of whack.

I shook my head. "I have to think about it. I'm going to at least meet this man. I told Dad I wasn't making any promises. If I meet him and he's a creep, I'm out." I ignored the twinge of pain in my chest at the thought of giving up the restaurant I loved so dearly. "Now, the part about me needing your help. I need you to make all of this," I waved a hand to encompass myself, "presentable."

Kenzi's eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about? You look fine?"

"No need to spare my feelings. I look average and I need to look all sleek and sophisticated for tomorrow tonight…like you."

Lifting a brow, Kenzie stared at me for so long, I thought she would refuse. "Ruby, when are you going to take a proper look in the mirror and see how gorgeous you are?"

"After you help me get my wild curls under control." I patted my hair, which was in a messy bun. "And after you whip out your magical makeup brush and have my face all made up and beat to the gods, that's when."

Kenzie looked skyward. "You really want to go through with the meeting?"

"Yes." I dared not show my apprehension or reluctance else Kenzi would continue to talk me down.

"Fine," she said. "While I think you've lost your mind, I've always wanted to do a makeover project."

I beamed. "I knew you'd come through, bestie."

"Are you making me your bestie after only five months to butter me up?"

"You're actually my only my friend right now so you automatically fall into the category," I laughed.

Kenzi snickered. "That's kinda sad, but I like the idea of us being besties."

Smiling broadly, I picked up my mug and finished my coffee. For the first time in a while, I didn't feel so alone. At least I had Kenzi in my corner.