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“Over time, people’s views change. Today you may see it as agreeing to my insane plan. Next week, or next year, if you’re no longer with the company, you may feel like I pressured you into it.”

“Monty, that’s not going to happen. Why do you think I wanted to sign the contract? It’s to cover your ass too.”

“Really?” I say as I reconsider the wording. Some parts were obviously jokes, but there was a lot of real legal jargon in it too.

“Anyway, let me review this list that you don’t want to become an exhibit,” Kendall says as she plucks the paper from my fingers and starts reading it. Aloud. “She doesn’t like people who are all about material things. Good. Nor does she like people who are always on their phones, especially during meals. Well, you’re always on yours.”

“True.”

Her eyes keep scanning the page. “She thinks everyone should have goals and ambitions if not a job, something to make the world a better place. That one makes sense,” Kendall says. “People who are rude to waiters and other employees. Same. Being interrupted. Who likes that? When someone is more than two or three minutes late. That’s an easy one. And slurping or chewing loudly, especially gum. Alright. That’s quite a list, but I think I can manage most of these.”

“It wasn’t easy to come up with anything,” I admit. “My mom is very easy going, and it’s hard to get on her bad side, so I wanted you to be prepared.”

Since a relationship with Kendall is impossible, the last thing I need is for my mother to get attached to her. To love her like I shouldn’t.

“Right because she needs to hate me,” Kendall agrees. “Do you think she would’ve liked Vanessa?”

“Doesn’t matter now.”

I think my mother would have tolerated Vanessa, who was so shallow I’m not sure what I was thinking when I asked her to marry me.

If I couldn’t have the woman I wanted, then I needed to move on. So, I tried. And it didn’t work.

“There’s no way you could ever forgive Vanessa for what she did?” Kendall asks. “It’s not that I blame you, it’s just, there seem to be lots of women who take men back after they cheat.”

“No, there’s no forgiving her,” I say confidently. “I don’t think I could ever look at her again.”

“Well, at least you know your decision and aren’t waffling about it.”

“Waffling?” I repeat. “You know that’s not something I do. Ever.”

“You didn’t waffle about asking me to pretend to be your fiancée?” Kendall asks while holding up her left hand to gaze down at the diamond. When I don’t answer her, she glances at me. “Well?”

“No, not really. It was more of a split-second decision. After I got off the phone with my mom, I thought of you...”

I stop before I spill my heart all over the place.

“I probably should’ve thought about it first, made a pros and cons list,” I admit. A con being that the board could find out and I’d lose my job. “That is not waffling by the way. It’s making an informed decision.”

“Monty, you have to lighten up.” Kendall raises her arm and waves over the flight attendant. “Could we please get two glasses of the strongest mimosas that can be made?”

“Sure, I’ll be right back.”

“It’s nine-thirty in the morning,” I remark.

“That’s why I ordered mimosas. They have orange juice in them.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“Besides, the normal rules no longer apply to us. Once we stepped on the plane, we entered the vacation zone. From now until the plane lands Monday we are a happily engaged couple planning our perfect destination wedding.”

The flight attendant returns with two champagne flutes, offering one to Kendall and the other to me.

“Cheers!” Kendall says as she clinks her glass to mine. “Drink up and stop thinking so much, Monty.”

Maybe she’s right.

I trust her judgment more than my own half the time.