The Fine Print

R – THE PRO

all that demanded attention. She groaned, eyes still heavy from last night's emotional hangover. Images blurred behind her eyel

found the phone, and

o

as she to expect from

orning," her mother chirpe

ing messily around her face. "W

you to come over this

dinner, I already know I didn't hit th

lly, darling. James' parents were quit

erent

. "They sent over

. "Documents?

. Bring a pen. And we

in. "Mom, what ki

k when you

I will be available by t

'll survive without you for a

ic

context. Just 'bring a pen and look nice'?" She dragged hers

e was nowhere to be found, but the smell of leftover ta

o dash. Call me if the w

elf. She poured coffee, si

my parents want me to come over this morning.

What kind of

y sure it involves sign

nd I repeat-do not sign an

t me at Café Ro

ead my

sweater. Her ankle boots that made her feel like a lawyer in a courtroom dr

-white stone, towering gates, and a fountain out front that seemed more de

a," he said with a polit

, as she walked to

mahogany desk, arms crossed. Her mother sat beside him, l

ed folder. "Sit," her mom said, smiling like they

cking between them. "You said Ja

der like it was a holy text. "It's a proposal cl

d. "Engageme

other added quickly. "It's more like

?" Leila repeated

a merger outline. It details values, med

felt heavy. Important. Trapp

lial Agreement: James Alexa

Alignment Report, Clause 9.2: Engagement Timeline, Clause 14: Media Obligation

p. "You must

are done in families like ours. It p

pany," Leila

could save our business, Leila. Yo

aught. "So I

le wavered. "You

better." S

a few adjustments before you

her hand. "Final say? About a dea

straight: you two had dinner with James' family. You negotiated an

ather said, though the word

ice droppe

h the softness, "it's not a trap. It's a path. Think

sharp enough to set

don't care about the Stevens

darkened. "Don'

ced the proposal gently back on the table

retched acro

n-a new

ei

ressed cream blazer, a silk scarf tied at her neck. Of course

smoothly. "I know this sounds transaction

y playing the 'it's a smart move' card

have power here' card. James is a Stevens. This is

alk about legacy like it's a priz

his emotionally. This is business. And

n't want that ki

her fat

n, with all due respect, this isn't

opportunities come in unexpected packages. James is a respectable m

. "Growth? Through a co

uccessful marriages began with less. And remember, you have

ck at her aunt. "So, you're suggestin

o something more meaningful. Give it thought, Leila. Not all pa

ituation pressing down on her. "I

ovingly. "That's a

that, Leila walked out. Her heels clicked

of roasted beans and vanilla. Leila sat in the corner b

in with sunglas

t's see t

across. "Twenty-five p

and began readin

ain joint social media visibilit

. "I barely p

tendance at five public events a month. Red

latte. "I'll ne

outside of the arrangement for the duration of the

ntractuall

ipping to the last page, "a

used. "S

elegant cream stationery, in s

Le

agined. It's not mine either. I don

Ja

houghts a blur. She didn't know

"You're going to

cool and steady. "Yes. Bu

ow that's the woman

a contract, they're going to get one. B

rs across her living room floor like battle plans. Jasmine sat cr

expectation of shared residences until formally discuss

posts unless mutually agreed. And cut the 'no-flings' rule

. "Spoken like

going to type up a counterproposal.

le on a T-shirt.

petty vengeance. By 1 a.m., the revised version was fin

just legally reinvented wh

eila saved the file, stared at t

going to send i

"First thing i