Alex
It was the second time I'd chased Lola through the streets of Manhattan. And this time, I'd very nearly lost her.
I was standing on the corner of 54thand 7th, wondering where she'd got to, when I finally saw her, zig zagging on the pavement up towards Central Park.
I followed her at a distance into the Park. It wasn't dark yet, so I knew she'd be safe. But I couldn't just leave her like this. I knew that whatever my question had triggered, it was important. And if I didn't explain to her now, there might not be another chance.
When I finally caught up to her, she was sitting on a park bench, under a crowd of apple trees, staring down the rolling fields and meadows of Central Park. It was a warm evening, and I could see pollen floating through the air.
"I think I need to explain myself," I said, as I approached her and sat down.
"You're damn right you do," snapped Lola. "What do you think I am? A wife-for-hire?"
"No," I said, quickly. "I told you. If anything happens to me, then I need someone I trust to keep the businesses intact."
"I have a child, Alex," she said. "And you know what? Somewhere down the line, I was kind of hoping to get married forreal."
"Youcan," I said. "Like I said. Once we can prove what Luca's up to, we can get the ceremony legally annulled."
"How do you think it feels," said Lola, "for someone to tell you that they'd like to marry you as a joke? As a prank?"
"It's not a prank," I said, bemused.
"No, it's a lie," said Lola. "A lie. I thought you were an honest guy. But now I see what they mean about billionaires and millionaires all being crooked. Nothing's sacred to you, is it?"
"That's not true," I said.
"So whatdoyou believe in? If getting married's such a joke to you that you'd fake one to save your restaurant?"
"I believe inyou, Lola."
I really meant it. The trust I was placing in her, the confidence I had in her to carry this through. Couldn't she see that?
She laughed in a dry, hollow sort of way. "You're joking, right?"
"I mean it. For this to work, I need someone I completely trust. Someone who wouldn't get nervous, or abuse the position they're going to be in. As my legal spouse, you'd have more than a little control over my life if you wanted it."
"What? So I could divorce you and take half your money if you pissed me off?"
"Yep," I said, nodding. After all, it was true.
Lola looked at me.
"You're really desperate, aren't you?" she said.
"Really. I wouldn't have asked you. Especially if I'd known it would upset you."
"It's not that you asked, Alex," said Lola frustratedly, looking down at the green grass around her. Against the verdant scenery of Central Park, her hair stood out, streaked with the fading sunlight.
"Then what is it?" I said. And not for the first time since I'd met her again, that dark feeling of foreboding rose in the pit of my stomach. Was there something Lola wasn't telling me? For some reason, I thought of that night in her apartment. The little girl with the striking blue eyes appearing at the door to the living room.
"I guess I'm still angry about you leaving me, all those years ago. When I needed you."
"But why?" I said. "Why did you need my help?"
She looked at me, and for a moment, I thought she was about to say it, and somehow I already knew what it was even though she hadn't told me.
But then, Lola looked away.
"Doesn't matter," she said. "It's in the past."
"Well," I grunted. "Now's the time for me to make it up to you?"
Lola turned her head, and for the first time since I'd sat down next to her, both of her green eyes were fixed on mine, and an electric thrill ran from the top of my neck down my spine, reaching into my chest, my groin.
I'd dated movie stars and models, but Lola was probably the most beautiful woman I'd ever met.
"What do you mean?" she said, curiously.
"I mean that, if you do this for me-" I said carefully, marking my words, "-then I'll give you anything you want."
"Anything?" said Lola, sarcastically.
"Anything," I said. "You'd never have to work again if you want to. Or I could get you a house. Or a new car, or set you up in the stock market, or...anything."
I held out both of my hands. I was offering her everything and anything I had in exchange for her help. But it was only as the words came tumbling out of my mouth, that I realized all I could offer this beautiful woman was money. And she had no use for it.
She had no use for me.
Lola shook her head. "I don't want your money," she said.
"Then what do you want?"
"Nothing," said Lola.
"Then," I said, trying to suppress my excitement, "you'll do it?"
"Sure," said Lola. "But not for anything. Because you're my friend. And friends help each other when they need it." She beamed at me, and for a moment, I thought about all the hard work it took for Lola to smile each day. Through all the frustrations of motherhood and working for me, and the mess we'd gotten into by getting so close to one another. And she was still smiling.
"Thank you," I said.
"But, Alex," said Lola. "There is something I need from you."