Chapter Twelve

The atmosphere between them had grown increasingly tense, with neither willing to back down. 

She let out a disbelieving laugh. "And what if someone asks if we're in love?" 

"Give them whatever answer married people usually give in public." He shrugged, looking almost bored.

Lauren studied him. "What if I fall in love with you?" she asked, mostly to see whether she could finally unsettle him.

Ryan held her gaze. "Then you'll have to remember this is an arrangement, not a romantic relationship." His voice remained cool.

"Wow." She blinked at him, shaking her head. "You're awfully confident that nobody could fall in love with you."

"Are you considering it?" A slight amusement appeared in his eyes.

"Don't flatter yourself. You're not that irresistible." Lauren quickly looked away, refusing to let his handsome face distract her again.

"I don't remember asking for your opinion on my appearance." His mouth curved slightly.

"Trust me, if I were complimenting you, you'd know." She gave him a pointed look.

For a moment, their eyes remained locked. Lauren was the first to look away.

She couldn't believe she was sitting across from a man who was actually proposing marriage without any intention of falling in love. What was the point of being married if there was no affection, no companionship and no desire to build something together?

She had always imagined marriage differently. Perhaps she was old-fashioned, but she wanted the whole experience. The butterflies, the excitement, the little arguments that ended in laughter, and the comfort of knowing someone loved her even on her worst days.

She clasped her hands beneath the table, suddenly aware of how different their expectations of marriage were. She wanted a husband who loved her, a home filled with laughter and children, and someone who would reach for her hand because he wanted to not because a contract required it.

"I want to get married because I'm in love," she said softly, lifting her eyes to him. "I want a partner, a family and children. I want to wake up beside someone who actually wants me there. I don't want to spend twelve months pretending to be somebody's wife."

Ryan listened without interrupting, his expression giving little away.

He wasn't particularly surprised by her answer. Most people wanted something different from what he was offering. He simply hadn't expected her to be so passionate about it.

He studied her face for a moment. There was something almost innocent about the way she spoke about marriage, as though she still believed love was enough to make two people happy.

He had once believed in that too. It hadn't ended particularly well.

Since then, he had learned to separate his emotions from his decisions. Marriage, in his opinion, didn't need to involve love. It needed honesty, mutual understanding and clearly defined boundaries. Everything else only made things complicated.

"That's your choice," he said at last, leaning back in his chair. "But I'm not offering you any of those things."

"Exactly." Lauren pushed her chair back and stood. "And that's why my answer is no." She smoothed her cardigan, determined not to let the tempting offer change her mind.

Ryan's eyebrows drew together. "No?" he repeated, watching her closely.

"No." She shook her head firmly. "I don't need to read a contract to know I don't want this."

He hadn't expected that.

He had anticipated some resistance, perhaps a few questions about the arrangement or even a request for better terms. But an outright rejection? That was something he hadn't prepared for.

"You're making an emotional decision." His voice remained calm, although a sharper edge had crept into it.

"And you're making a business decision about something that should never be treated like a business." Lauren picked up her phone, meeting his gaze without flinching.

He wasn't accustomed to being challenged, especially by someone who barely knew him. Yet Lauren seemed completely unconcerned about who he was or how much money he had. She wasn't even trying to hide her disapproval.

It was irritating. And, strangely, a little refreshing.

For a few seconds, neither spoke. The noise of the bistro filled the silence until Ryan held out a business card.

"Take it. If you change your mind, call me." He extended his hand, his confidence seemingly untouched by her rejection.

Lauren stared at the card before taking it. Their fingers brushed, sending an unexpected little spark through her. She quickly withdrew her hand, hoping he hadn't noticed.

"Don't get your hopes up, Mr Callahan." She slipped the card into her cardigan pocket.

"I don't make a habit of hoping." Ryan picked up his coffee, looking as though the conversation had been nothing more than a routine meeting.

"Clearly." Lauren gave him one last irritated look before turning away.

She hurried out of the Bistro. She was eager to put as much distance as possible between herself and the infuriating man.

Ryan watched her disappear through the glass entrance.