Invitation to Love by Groovy Lee

will be well taken of. So, not only will you be able to show the
courts that you can provide for them financially, the judge will be convinced
that they’ll be in a secure family environment. Under those circumstances, your
in-laws can’t make a case against you, even with what little power they
possess.”
    She
turned and stepped away to ponder his offer. The pros and cons began forming
from a puzzled mess, to a neat finished picture. Pro: Remi and Rachel wouldn’t
have to go through the devastation of sitting before a judge, terrified that
one wrong answer would get their mother in trouble. Con: Even if she did win,
she can’t be positive they would come away unscathed. Pro: Marrying Michael
will ensure that. But, she skyrocketed the thought of ever marrying again into
deep space years ago. One trip down that path is enough for one lifetime: Big
con. Can she do it? It’s nothing against Michael. Good looks aside, there’s no
questioning his benevolence and genuine goodness: Pro. But, marriage will ruin
their friendship; It almost always does: Con.
    She
darted a quizzical glance at him for a second. There’s an attraction—of course.
But, it goes no further, and that’s already a mark against them. It wouldn’t be
long before resentment, impatience, and loathing crept in, and before you know
it, you’re checking that box that reads ‘irreconcilable differences’ on those
divorce papers. Has he even thought of that? She swerved around and eyed the
figure waiting for her to say something.
    “Do
you know what you’re asking?” she walked back to him. “Surely, you’d rather
share your life with someone you love, and want to express that from your
heart. We barely know one another. Words of love don’t even enter our
conversations. I’m a widow with two children. A ready-made family is not an
easy life for a bachelor. You don’t deserve that; You deserve to start fresh
with children of your own. I can’t take that away from you.”
    If
she meant to deter him, it failed. He simply smiled—a slight wounded one—and
then spoke.
    “A
long time ago, I was engaged to someone I thought was the woman of my dreams.
But, my chances of this perfect life you just painted, walked out years ago,
and I’ve moved on. I care very much for you and the twins. It the two of us try
hard enough, we can make this work. If not for our sakes, then for Remi and Rachel’s.
If it doesn’t work out, well, that freedom will be there for you to take.” The
hush between them lasted as long as the sigh that expired from him. “Whatever
you decide, I’m here for you.”
    “A…and
if I agreed to this? Where do we go from here?”
    “You’ll
live with me in California; And you’ll never want for anything, I promise. I’ll
arrange to have this house put on the market, or you can rent it out. That way,
when you decide we’ve been married long enough, you’ll have a place to come
back to.”
    She
couldn’t help but feel sorry for the man standing there so self-assured as he
rolled out the mental blue-prints of his well-structured plans. Yesterday, his
life was uncomplicated and carefree.
    Today, he’s offering to push
aside his status as a successful bachelor, and the choice of any woman, to
become an instant family man with all the responsibilities that come shackled
to it.
    “I’m
not going to lie to you, Taryn,” his voice cut into her thoughts and garnered
her full attention. “I’ll be able to benefit from this, also.”
    “How?”
    “I
don’t know if you’re aware that I’m being hounded by the media from all sides.
There’s been rumors in the tabloids about me. It seems that since I’m not a night-club
addict with a different woman on my arm every week—even one—then I must be
hiding my true sexuality. We may live in the twenty-first century, but the
majority of my clients are old-fashioned. And they prefer those who do business
with them to be settled down in a stable family environment. Three of