Having someone to take care of. Someone who took care of him. That was important.

“Before or after you asked her to save your company and your family? And to take your name?” Armie asked.

Quaid sighed and sat back. “I’ve already been over this with him.”

“I didn’t tell her she had to take my name.” Though it would go a long way with his aunt. He was a modern man, but his aunt was somewhat stuck on traditional gender roles. Still, she likely wouldn’t ask to see Sylvie’s driver’s license.

Remy leaned forward, his expression somber. “So you walked into Sylvie’s office with no preliminaries, asked her to marry you, and please, dear god, tell me you framed it as her saving you and not as some kind of exchange where you paid her at the end of it.”

Rene winced. “Well, I didn’t want her to think it was all about me.”

There was a collective groan from everyone but Quaid. His friend and lawyer patted him on the back. “I’m pretty sure he mentioned that I already drew up the prenup.”

He’d been so sure she would say yes. “I should have played this differently. I can see that now. So how do I get her to change her mind?”

“Do you have time?” Major asked. “Because it sounds like this is going down soon.”

“I had hoped to bring her to a family gathering coming up in a few weeks. It’s my aunt’s birthday and we have to make an appearance.” It seemed like the perfect time to introduce Sylvie as his wife.

“He doesn’t have much time at all,” Quaid pointed out. “The vote happens soon. If Charles wins that vote, he and Cricket have two weeks to vacate the house.”

The thought turned Rene’s stomach. His mother loved this house. All her memories of his father were in this house.

So why couldn’t he force himself to do what he needed to do?

“I’ve got a whole list of women who would work,” Quaid continued. “I understand that Sylvie was perfect, but we have to deal with the reality of the situation.”

“I don’t trust anyone else,” he admitted.

“You don’t have to because I’ll make sure she signs a contract so she can’t get anything out of the eventual divorce,” Quaid explained.

And then he would have the same problem he had today, only a few years down the line. That was why Sylvie was perfect. He could see staying married to her, being happy with her.

“He doesn’t want to marry anyone else,” Armie said with a frown. “How did I not know you have a thing for Sylvie?”

Because he hid it well. Because the last couple of years had been hard. She’d come back into town and he’d decided to give her a month to get settled in and then he would ask her on a date.