Page 38 of Earned Husband

“Facility seventeen has the strongest existing infrastructure,” I said, motioning to a slide projected on the screen. “Its environmental approvals are current. The utilities are there and the space lends itself to retrofitting. Obviously, we’d still need a full feasibility study, but from a cost standpoint, it makes the most sense.”

Several people nodded and few others scribbled notes. One guy from accounting looked like he wished I would stop talking so he could go eat his lunch. I sympathized, but we were almost done.

“Put together detailed financial models for the top three locations,” I said. “I want transportation costs, labor projections, utility expenses, regulatory hurdles, and timeline estimates.When GlobalStar comes calling, I want answers ready before they even ask the questions.”

There was more nodding and I smiled. Nothing made me happier than proactive preparation.Well, these days, it’s more likealmostnothing.

“Anything else?” I asked. When nobody spoke, I nodded. “Alright. Get to work. Be thorough, people. Basel Saad won’t accept anything less than complete and total clarity, and neither will I. I don’t want to see any guesstimates or the phrasethat depends on. Got it?”

After another round of nods, the group dispersed, the dude from accounting taking off like a bat out of hell.A man after my own heart, if his sandwich means that much to him.

I chuckled as I strode back to my desk and settled into my chair, tapping a pen against a legal pad as I lifted my gaze to stare out at the view instead of getting right back to work. The merger discussions were moving faster than I’d expected.

To everyone else, that was encouraging. It meant GlobalStar was taking this as seriously as we were and, frankly, that we weren’t some consolation prize of a partner—and we weren’t. Despite the turmoil we’d experienced, Thayer was still a major player, and with Jane cleaning up our reputation with every move she made, we were fast becoming a real contender again for every contract and client out there.

And yet, I have to get married, but only if I earn her.

A knock sounded at my door, breaking me out of my thoughts. I hadn’t even responded yet when Isaac opened it and walked in.

He shut the door firmly behind him, then turned to give methe look. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine.” I sighed. By now, news of my supposed engagement had spread and everyone kept congratulating me, but it was all very premature. “I’m not actually engaged yet,remember? There’s no reason to get worked up about something that might not even happen.”

“Oh, it’ll happen.” Isaac dropped into the chair across from my desk and grinned. “I’ve never seen you give up before. You’ll get through this. No matter what old Basel throws your way.”

“I might’ve agreed, except that the first task he’s given me is to familiarize myself with all the things that go along with an Egyptian engagement. It’s a pretty lengthy list. There are so many events and things that the preparation for getting married over there could qualify as a part-time job.”

“So you’ll have to get through some ceremonies and meetings.” He shrugged. “It’s not so bad. People do it every single day.”

“People who’ve grown up knowing about these customs,” I said. “It all seems really freaking daunting to me. I’ve spent the last week researching it, and last night, I even fell down an internet rabbit hole. I ended up reading about engagement jewelry customs from the nineteenth century for two hours. Did you know there are engagement parties before engagement parties?”

He flashed me a wide grin. “Many parties. I like that. Those are my kind of people.”

I groaned. “The point is that I don’t think getting through whatever he’s going to throw my way is going to be as easy as we might think. If this is just the first and probably simplest task, I have a feeling he’s really going to test me.”

“Well, have you talked to Deja since she left?” he asked. “Maybe she can help you navigate it all.”

“I’m sure she would be able to, but no. We haven’t talked.” I leaned back in my chair and looked out the window, not telling him that I was already checking my mailbox every day.

Logically, I knew it was going to take time for a letter to arrive, but I still found myself looking for one every afternoon when I got home. Just in case.

“Okay, so maybe you should just call her,” he suggested. “Or shoot her a text, begging for her help with understanding how stuff works over there.”

“Yeah, I could do that.”

“You’re not going to, are you?” He shook his head at me. “Yeah. No. That makes perfect sense. Just keep staring out the window. The view will give you all the answers.”

I ignored him, staring for another few seconds instead before I finally turned back to him. “I told her to take the month to decide.”

“What?” He frowned. “I thought you’d already agreed to the marriage when you talked to Basel.”

“Yeah,Iagreed, but she deserves time to think. I made sure she knew that I didn’t expect her to say yes just because this is what her father wants.”

“Let me get this straight,” he slowly. “You gave a beautiful woman an entire month to potentially come to her senses?”

“Wow, thank you for your support. It means the world to me.”

He laughed. “Yeah, anytime, man. Look, all I’m saying is that Alex probably won’t be happy about it that you’ve given her an out.”