I studied her, giving her a chance to take it all back or tell me she was only kidding, but her brown eyes were as unwavering and sincere as I’d ever seen them. I leaned forward, lodged my elbows on my thighs, ran a hand over my mouth. My brows popped up as I searched for words. Any words. It was so much to take in…

“It was just an idea,” she said, sounding embarrassed, apologetic as she swiveled her body to face the lake, lowered her foot to the ground.

I whipped my hand out and caught her arm, alarmed that she’d concluded so quickly that my silence was dissatisfaction.

“I fucking love the idea,” I said, still reeling, trying to sort out all the things spinning through my head. “How do you have a quarter mil just sitting around?”

I knew Chloe was paid well, but she and I didn’t discuss the specifics. Money was a sore subject for her.

“Presley’s an investment guru,” Chloe said humbly. “The girl can work wonders.”

For the first time, I wondered just how much of a nest egg she’d hoarded away. Her financial status had never mattered to me, not when she’d lived in a worn-down trailer just outside of town with her mom and dad and not now, when she drove a Lexus and paid hundreds for a pair of shoes. Clearly, I’d had my head up my ass while she was making a fortune. I couldn’t be happier for her, investment offer aside.

The investment offer though…

I launched to my feet, as if that would help things sink in.

A quarter million was doable. We’d been shooting for four to five hundred thousand, knowing that was our pie-in-the-sky, but we could work with less.

I let out a jubilant howl, pulled Chloe off the bench, wrapped my arms around her, lifted her, and swung her around in two full circles. The only reason I let her feet touch the ground again was because I was in danger of toppling both of us over. I settled for hugging her to me.

“Holden,” she said, sounding serious, not like the over-the-moon son of a bitch who’d nearly knocked her to the ground.

I pulled away, told myself to calm the fuck down, and turned my attention to her.

“You heard the part about us getting married for real, right? Not just acting like we’re engaged? I mean, it wouldn’t be a real marriage, more of a business deal. We both get what we want. But I know that’s a lot.” She blew out her breath. “A lot.”

“I’m in,” I said.

“It’s still a marriage though. A sacrifice,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “I want you to think hard about it, Holden.”