CHAPTER 9

CARMEN

I stared at Dave, deciphering his facial expression and looking for one sign that told me he was joking with me.

“Get married to Jasper, Carmen,” he said again as if reading my mind and trying to prove to me that his words were anything but punchlines.

“What are you talking about, Dave? Why should I get married to Jasper all of a sudden? It doesn’t make sense.” I shook my head, placing my hand against the doorknob just in case he suggested something even more outrageous so that I could leave without having to hear it.

“Just hear me out, Carmen.” He raised his hands as if signalling me to calm down. “If you get married to Jasper, what hold would she have on you? Agreeing to the wedding and going through with it will only put her guard down, and she wouldn’t even think I know about the video, let alone have plans to delete it.”

“And what about the marriage? You delete the video and I’m stuck married to Jasper?” I questioned.

“Six months. You can wait it out for six months, and you