$10,000,000 Marriage Proposal by James Patterson Read Free Book Online

like you—we figure it out or we don’t. Sure, I’m nervous. But so what? I could spout a million clichés about love, but ultimately I don’t think it should be too hard for you to find your match. If it’s hard to pick, then she’s not right. Your only hurdle should be whether she likes you back. But in your case, let’s be honest, you increased your chances of that when you threw ten million dollars into the pot.”
    “You think that was a mistake?”
    “Honestly? Totally. As soon as you’re using money to attract a woman, you’ve established a dynamic that might never change.”
    “But here you are! Aren’t you a worthwhile candidate?”
    “Of course I am. To me the money means I’m dealing with a grown-up. Someone who is serious about finding love.”
    “But you don’t think any other worthwhile candidates might feel the same?”
    “Yes, but…wait…” Janey was stuck. “Okay, point for you. I concede that this is a roundabout but viable way to meet women who aren’t gold diggers. If you have a good filter.”
    Rory laughed. “Am I a good filter?”
    Janey gasped. “You’re just a filter? I thought you were the guy!” She punched his arm. “Oh, dude, you had me going there. Who are you, then? Who is he? Honestly, I’m kind of glad it isn’t you. I like you, but I wasn’t feeling it, you know?”
    “I’ll try not to take that personally,” Rory said. They talked for a while longer, Rory asking her about her past relationships and goals in life, but allowing room for the conversation to wander. After some time he stood up and reached out to shake her hand. “It’s been great talking to you. But you’ll have to excuse me.” He left the table and walked back up to the house.
    Good Lord, Janey said to herself. She looked around. The garden that stretched out before her was quiet; the pool reflected a sliver of moon. Was this evening being taped? She went over to the outdoor kitchen and snooped around, looking for any little red lights or suspicious stuffed animals, but there was no nanny cam to be found. A golden reality-TV opportunity, squandered! She knew exactly where the cameras should be positioned. Ideally they’d have a little more light, of course, but not so much that it ruined the moment. Rory had asked her about heartbreak earlier—this was heartbreak right here, this utter waste of real-life drama and intrigue.
    The glass door opened again, and a new man was briefly silhouetted as he stepped out of the house. First a hot new job, now these attractive men emerging one after another. This was turning out to be quite a day. The new guy, Tony, was tall and African American. He gave her a kind of I have no idea shrug as he walked toward her.
    “Are you a filter, too?” Janey burst out, not bothering to make small talk.
    “A filter.” Tony looked down at himself, appeared to appraise his arms. “Not totally sure what you mean. But I do wear contact lenses, if that’s what you’re getting at.” He smiled, and Janey took note. This man had a heart-stoppingly good smile.
    Janey poured more hot water into her tea. “Are you Mr. Man of Mystery? Please enlighten me. I don’t know how much longer I can take the suspense.”
    “Ah, no. I’m just here to get to know you a bit better.”
    “A filter! I knew it.”
    “That wasn’t in the job description, but if that’s how you’d like to see it, sure.”
    “Okay, just so we’re clear. Now you can…do your thing.” Janey gave an overly dramatic flourish, gesturing for him to get started, and he complied. This Tony was very easy on the eyes. Whatever their conversation was meant to achieve, she was perfectly content to draw it out for as long as possible.
    “Let me ask you a question,” he said. “What do you think is the secret to a long marriage?”
    “It’s funny that you ask that,” Janey said. “When I was doing my thesis in film school, I interviewed a bunch of couples who had been together for at least forty