Ch. 2: Contract Husband

Lisa's P.O.V.

"Lisa, this is Christopher Darnell. He's Frank's son from the Darnell clothing line. Meet your future husband," Dad said as if it wasn't the strangest thing to have a contracted marriage. 

It had now been a couple of weeks since my run in with Branden and Davis. As promised Branden has not bothered me since. I am not sure what Davis did to make him stop, and I'm not sure that I want to know. I am just glad that it finally stopped. Although, I still find myself looking over my shoulder often. 

I looked at the man before me with speculation, checking him out from head to toe. He was thankfully handsome with a strong jawline I tend to be drawn to. He had dark green eyes with thick brown eyebrows above them. His high cheekbones only added to his good looks. His light brown hair was styled in a purposefully tousled way. 

"Nice to meet you, future wife," he said with a smile, showing me his beautiful pearly whites. He had a very dazzling smile that shone brightly. 

"Lisa is fine," I corrected him. I could tell he wasn't all that comfortable with this either. 

"Great, now that's out of the way, you two have dinner reservations tonight so you can better acquaint yourselves. I'm due for a meeting." Dad chimed as he grabbed some files off his desk. "Lisa I'll see you tomorrow."

Christopher and I were left standing alone in the office in an awkward silence. We stared at each other unsure of what to do. He scratched at the back of his neck shyly as he landed those beautiful eyes on me. 

"This is weird isn't it?" 

"That's a fucking understatement." I smirked, causing him to smile. 

"Glad I'm not the only one that thinks so. My dad's threatening to cut me off, and leave the business to my younger brother, if I don't go through with this. What about yours? What's he got on you that's making you do this?" He asked innocently.

"My brother. He's threatening to ruin the happy life he's finally built for himself." 

"Well, shit. You've definitely got a much nobler cause than I do. I feel like a dirtbag now."

"No need. Your reason is valid to you and enough to make you do this. I'm not judging you." I shrugged my shoulders as I excused his reason. 

"I hope you don't kill me for saying this, but I definitely lucked out. You're absolutely beautiful." His compliment caught me off guard, making my cheeks flush.

"I could say the same." I smiled. 

Are we flirting right now?

"I'll see you for dinner, Lisa." He bowed his head cutely before standing straight again and flashing me that almost playful smile. 

After a few minutes of some light snooping, I left Dad's office. He doesn't want me running the company, keeping me out of the company's business. He wants whoever my husband will be to take over the business when he retires. He thinks only a man can handle a business, and since he lost Lucas, it's now in the hands of whoever I marry. More like whoever Dad chooses for me to marry. 

I don't want to do this, but I will. I just hope Christopher turns out to be a great guy. I can't deal with another shit head. 

—---

"Damn, Lisa. You always look so beautiful. Where are you headed all dressed up?" Liv asked me as she took Abi from my arms. 

I didn't want to relinquish my beautiful niece, but I had only stopped by to drop off the favorite teddy that she'd forgotten at my apartment. I was on my way to the dinner date dad planned. I didn't have time to stay and chat like I would like or I'd be late. I couldn't resist holding her for a few minutes though. Her sweet cheeks are so kissable. The big bows in her strawberry blonde hair are more than I can handle. 

"I have a date." I answered, with a small smirk. 

"Oh?" She raised her brow at me with a playful smirk. "Good. I am glad to see you moving on. I can't wait to hear about it later." Liv smiled up at me as she sat Abi on her hip. 

Liv had her flaming red hair braided to the side. She was still the picture perfect woman. Lucas came up beside her, kissing her temple and then Abi. I watched as his lips sank into her cheek, making me want to do the same immediately. 

Sweet baby cheeks. 

"Who's the guy?" Lucas finally turned his attention to me, keeping his arm wrapped around Liv. 

"Christopher." 

I didn't want to say his last name just in case he knew the name Darnell. I am sure he would have recognized it. He narrowed his eyes on me for a moment. He could see something was up, that I was hiding something, but he wasn't sure what. 

"Is he nice?" He asked. 

"It's a blind date. I figured maybe if someone else set me up, they wouldn't be as bad as if I had chosen them myself." 

I mean technically it isn't a lie, but it's definitely not the whole truth. 

"Call me if you need me, or Rose," he said. 

I still don't understand why he calls Liv, Rose all of the time. I mean it's really cute, but he definitely confuses people when he calls her that when they first meet. I don't think I'll ever be lucky enough to find the love they share. It's a love story unlike any other and I am so happy for them both. I just pray that one day I find a fraction of what they have. 

"Will do." I leaned forward kissing Abi's little cheek again. "I'll see you guys later." 

I quickly hugged them both, and hurriedly made my way to the car. I had decided to drive my black BMW today. I loved the way it reflected the streets lights off the shiny black paint. Taking my place behind the driver's seat, I blasted my music to keep my nerves from taking me over. 

I was running a little late by the time I arrived. I could see Christopher was already seated at our table through the large glass windows of the restaurant. He looked rather mad with his jaw clenched and his hand fisted over the table. I felt my stomach sink with worry. What if he's just like dad, too?

I entered the restaurant, letting the delicious intermingled smells of food waft into my nose. This place was known for making the best meals. My stomach growled as the smell made my mouth water. I was actually quite starved and couldn't wait to eat. The hostess showed me to my table, just as Christopher spotted me. He stood up, smiling at me as his eyes roamed my body. 

I was wearing a dark red dress with quarter sleeves and a high low hem. I paired it with my favorite pair of black stilettos and clutch black purse. His eyes lingered over my cleavage for a moment before meeting my gaze. 

"Sorry I'm late, I had to drop something off with my niece on the way here. She can't fall asleep without her favorite teddy," I explained, taking my seat across from him. 

"No problem. I was starting to worry you had stood me up, but I am glad to see you didn't," he said, smirking at me like I was the meal he was ready to devour. "You look stunning." 

"Thank you." I smiled sweetly at him, as I placed the cloth napkin over my lap. "You clean up nice yourself." 

He was wearing a white button down shirt, showing off his tanned skin more. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, letting me see he had decently sized muscles. He had on a pair of black trouser and nice black dress shoes. His hair was styled neater than before, but still had the same tousled feel. He was a very handsome man, I'll give him that. 

"Are you guys ready to order?" Our waitress asked with a genuinely friendly smile.  

She had wavy blonde hair cut above her collarbone. Her gold name tag, pinned above her right breast, read Vicky. She had her pen and pad ready to write whatever we told her. 

Christopher started right off the bat, not even conforming with me if I was ready. I hadn't gotten the chance to look at the menu yet, although, it seems it didn't matter as he began to order for me, too, to my surprise. He ordered me a fucking salad. 

A fucking salad. 

Suffice to say I was pretty peeved and interjected that I would have the same thing he was having instead. Steak and lobster tail, because he'll learn as my future husband, that I can order for myself. He looked at me rather stunned when our waitress left, almost like he was mad I dared say anything. 

"I'm a big girl with a big appetite that can order for herself." I raised a brow at him, showing him the annoyance I felt. His face softened as if he had just realized he was looking upset. I'm not sure how I feel about Christopher, but currently it's not good. 

"I'm sorry, Lisa. I didn't think you had a chance to look at the menu and most of the women I've dated have always liked it when I ordered for them," he explained, trying to excuse his actions. 

"You'll find that I'm not like most women, Christopher." 

"Clearly, you're a lot better." He winked at me with a smirk. 

Damn he's sexy. 

"I'm glad you realize," I flirted with an arrogant smile. 

The rest of dinner went well. We got to know each other more and we actually had really good chemistry. The conversations were easy and flowed naturally. We had some laughs and before we knew it we had been sitting at our table for two and a half hours. We were asked to order dessert or go, so that others could have the table. 

"I'm not quite ready to let you go, Lisa. I've been enjoying my time with you immensely. Would you mind if we walked around the block once?" He held his finger up with big eyes. He looked like a small child as he asked cutely. I couldn't deny those eyes, as green as a dense forest. 

"Okay. I'm enjoying my time with you as well, Chris."

He liked being called Chris more than Christopher, or so he told me part way through our date. 

We strolled the block while we talked further, but when we came upon our cars again we both found ourselves not wanting to leave. 

"Sit in my car with me?" He offered, realizing my shoes weren't going to allow us to do much more walking. I nodded my head happily. 

I

think this might actually work.

I could be happy with Chris as my husband, if he really had to be.