Chapter 4 : For Lily

Mia's POV

Ethan and I sat in a trance while I tried to process what he was asking me. Time seemed to be moving in slow motion and I was paralyzed by his words. He sat back in his chair smirking while he waited for me to respond.

He looked at me a bit amused. “The ball’s in your court.” He chuckled to himself.

“I-I don’t really know what to say.” I was still lost in thought. “This has never really happened to me before.”

“What do you mean?” Ethan laughed, sitting forward in his seat.

“What kind of person offers a complete stranger a million dollars?” I said, still in shock. “That’s completely outrageous! What are you, some kind of billionaire?”

“Well.” Ethan grinned proudly. I couldn’t believe it.

“So you thought you could manipulate me with your money?” I started feeling a little cheap.

“I wasn’t really looking at it that way,” Ethan said with a confident smirk. “Think of it as more of a payment for services rendered.”

“So, like an escort?” I asked, still feeling offended.

“Oh, god no!” Ethan laughed, waving his hands. “Not that I didn’t consider it, but escorts are much too obvious. My sister would know instantly. I need someone real. Like you.”

He knew how to win an argument, for sure. Those words flattered me. I sat quietly while I weighed my options. A million dollars was a lot of money. It was enough to change my entire family’s life. It was enough to open my own library if I wanted. Although, I don’t think I could ever leave the Greenbrooke Library. That place was my home.

“I don’t know.” I finally said. “Lying to a sick girl doesn’t exactly sound like good karma.”

“Think of it more as making her last wish come true.” Ethan pushed. “Besides, imagine all the things you could do with the money. You’d never have to work again.”

I thought about the offer and imagined my life of luxury. While I didn’t much care for Ethan, I was highly motivated by the idea that I could use the money to fix up the Greenbrooke Library and make it even better than it already was.

“I need more.” I said plainly.

“More?” Ethan scoffed as he looked back at me. “I’m offering you a million dollars and you want more?”

“Not more money.” Again, I felt offended that he would even think of such a thing. “I need more information. I need to understand the underlying motive.”

“Alright, fine.” Ethan shrugged, sitting forward. “My sister Lily feels responsible for my lack of love life.”

I was still confused, so I pushed for more. “How would that be her fault?”

“Because, after she got the diagnosis, I became somewhat of a hermit.” Ethan admitted, and I saw a slight crack in his cocky facade and it gave me comfort knowing that there was still a human under that hard shell.

“It wasn’t intentional.” He went on. “I just couldn’t even consider my own happiness when I knew she was in so much pain.”

“I see.” I said, considering this perspective. It was something very sensitive and emotive at the same time, I already was imagining Lily and how she would feel for her brother.

“If I can show her that she’s not to blame, I think she’ll finally allow herself to be at peace,” Ethan added, guilt betraying his cocky smile. “The doctors gave her six months left to live, and I think she’s been holding on because of me.”

“I’m so sorry.” I felt my eyes well with tears. “This must all be so painful for you.”

“It’s been the hardest four years of my life.” Ethan admited to me.

“So, what about my background?” I asked, getting back to the matter at hand.

“What about it?” Ethan looked at me with a confused look.

“Well, I’m just some poor librarian.” I answered. “If your sister meets me, won’t she just think I’m a gold digger?”

“Actually, quite the contrary.” Ethan said, taking a sip of beer. “I’m a huge bookworm. It’s the perfect cover, she’ll never suspect a thing.”

“You’re a bookworm?” I asked in disbelief.

“No, seriously. I really am!” Ethan urged and chuckled. “I’ve loved reading since I was a kid. Lily won’t be surprised if I tell her I’ve fallen for a hot librarian.”

“Hot?” I felt myself blush.

Ethan winked at me and took another sip of his beer. I could feel my face growing warm.

“All I’m saying is Lily won’t be surprised if I’m dating someone who works at a library.” He said, sitting forward again.

I laughed to myself and took another sip from my beer. The sound of pretending to date each other started to sound fun to me. But I still had my reservations.

“So how’d you become a billionaire, anyway?” I changed the subject. “What are you, twenty-five?”

“Twenty-seven,” Ethan answered, and he sat straighter, proud. “Dumb luck, I suppose. I got my real estate license right out of college and saved up enough to invest in my first property. After I was making enough passive income to survive, I quit my nine to five and started investing full time.”

I nodded. “That’s pretty impressive.”

Ethan smiled and raised his beer glass into the air. I asked him more questions about his business and he told me all about his passion for investing. He seemed to really know his stuff, and it made me think that maybe he wasn’t such a bad guy.

“It’s been over two hours.” Barbara said, finding her way back to our table. “The two of you must be starved by now. Why don’t you order a little dinner?”

Barbara set two menus down in front of us and walked away. I thanked her as she left and looked down at my menu.

“Actually, I’m not too hungry right now,” Ethan pushed his menu away.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I said, pushing his menu back in front of him.

“Why?” Ethan asked, with a confused look.

“When you’re at King’s Bar you do as you're told. If Barbara tells you to eat, trust me, you eat.”

“Alrighty then.” Ethan sighed, taking a look at the menu. “I suppose I could have a little something.”

I told Ethan that the chicken and rice was to die for and he questioned why a bar would serve such a home-style meal. I told him King’s Bar was Barbara’s home away from home and that she cooked for everyone like they were her own children. Ethan took my word for it and settled on that dish.

Barbara came around again and took our orders. Of course, I asked for the potato soup as always. I was a creature of habit and as Barbara had pointed out before, I hadn’t had it in days and I was craving for it.

“I wanted to tell you something,” Ethan said once Barbara walked away.

“Sure.” I sensed he was about to tell me a secret. “What is it?”

“You should look out for Mayor Pippins.” Ethan sat back in his seat.

That did not surprise me. “Oh. Yeah, I know. He means well, but he often bites off more than he can chew.”

He looked at me and nodded, but he gave me more than I was expecting right after.

“Well that’s just it.” Ethan continued. “When we were touring the library yesterday, he told me he’s eager to find an investor to buy the library so they can demolish it and turn it into something more profitable.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised.” I rolled my eyes. “Mayor Pippins has always been a little money hungry.”

“Well…” Ethan paused as he tested the waters. “Maybe you could ‘buy’ it.”

“Me?” I laughed. “And where do you think I’ll find that kind of money?”

Ethan gave me a look and I suddenly remembered what this whole meeting was about. We both laughed and for a second I pictured it.

“If you bought it then Mayor Pippins wouldn’t have control over it anymore.” Ethan said.

“Well, it’s definitely something to consider. I just don’t know if it’s as possible as we think. Mayor Pippins is a very sneaky man. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a catch.”

Before Ethan could reply, Barbara came waltzing over with two hot plates. She sat them down in front of us and told us to enjoy ourselves.

“Thanks Barbara.” I said, and she winked at me.

“This looks incredible.” Ethan stared at the food in front of him, practically salivating.

“Wait ‘til you see how it tastes.” I smiled, scooping a generous portion of potato soup into my mouth.

Ethan took his first bite and I swear his eyes rolled backwards. I giggled as I watched him. That was everyone’s reaction to having Barbara’s cooking. She was the best cook in town and everyone knew it.

“Oh, wow.” Ethan was barely able to contain himself. “This is one of the best foods I’ve ever had.”

“I know.” I smiled. “Barbara definitely knows what she’s doing.”

“It’s like a dream.” He half closed his eyes as he went in for another bite.

I laughed, and the two of us enjoyed our meal together in silence. I thought about Ethan’s proposition while we ate and I wondered if it was wise to take the deal. I had only known him for two days. How did I know he wasn’t lying to my face? This was all just a bit overwhelming. After we finished our plates, Barbara came over and collected them.

“And how was that for you?” She asked Ethan, who had scraped every crumb off his plate.

“Delicious.” Ethan said, sitting back to push his belly out.

“I know.” Barbara stood proud with humble confidence. “The secret ingredient is love, and honey, I’ve got plenty of it.”

“I could definitely taste the love.” Ethan smiled from ear to ear.

“Y’all let me know if you need anything else.” Barbara said before walking away.

Ethan was still in shock from the meal he’d just had and I gave him a moment to bask. He wiped the corners of his mouth and took in a deep breath.

“You okay?” I asked, laughing. “You look like you’re about to slip into a coma.”

“Would that really be such a bad thing?” Ethan laughed. “It’d give me time to process the meal we just had.”

I shook my head and dug through my purse for some gum. I took out two sticks of doublemint from my pack and handed one to Ethan.

“Here.” I smiled. “Barbara makes the best food in town, but it comes with a price.”

Ethan nodded and graciously accepted my offering. We both chewed them up and I blew a bubble. I checked my watch and realized that it was almost nine o’clock. It was strange to be out with a man this late. I hadn’t done this in months and it felt almost foreign to me now.

“So.” Ethan started to put his coat on. “I suppose I should get going. I guess the only thing left to ask is if you will accept my offer?”

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “It seems like a harmless idea but I worry that someone’s going to get hurt.”

“If it’ll make you feel better, I can have my lawyers draw up a proper contract for the two of us to sign. That way we’re both protected.”

“That could be good.” I nodded. “But I’m still not sure. Can I think about it?”

He was not rushing me, and this made me feel a bit better. “Sure. I’m supposed to leave town tomorrow night. Can you give me an answer by then?”

That was more than enough time.

“I suppose that’s fair.” I nodded.

“Great,” Ethan said with a sly smile. “I’ll talk to you then.”

We both slid out of the booth and made our way toward the exit. The bar was fully packed now and there was a group of young college students who were eager to steal our table once we left.

“Can I offer you a ride home?” Ethan asked as we stepped outside.

“That’s okay.” I was surprised that his driver was already waiting out by the curb when we walked outside. “I prefer to walk.”

“Are you sure?” Ethan asked with a worried expression. “It’s pretty dark out.”

“I’m sure.” I nodded, I really didn’t want to have more contact with him than what we already had, I had a lot to think about and needed a clear head. “You go ahead. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Ethan shrugged and walked toward the black SUV. His driver opened the door to the backseat and Ethan climbed in. He gave me one final wave before his driver closed the door. I waved back and his driver gave me a polite nod before rounding the car and getting in on the driver’s side.

I stood on the sidewalk as I watched Ethan’s car drive away. The last few hours felt like a fever dream. My life was suddenly changing all in an instant and I was hopeful about the future.

A slight panic set in as I realized I had less than twenty-four hours to make up my mind. What was I even thinking? Could I really go through with something like this? It was the most insane idea I’d ever heard.

Still, I thought about his sister Lily and all that she was going through. For her it could all be worth it. If I told myself I was doing it for her, maybe I could actually go through with it.