Page 18 of Married With Lies

“No,” he says.

“What did you do that for?”

“You’re not excused yet.”

Stuck in the valley between outrage and panic, I consider my options.

I could start screaming.

Something like, “Help! Help! The hot mafia neighbor is forcing me to talk to him.”

People will stare. Someone will have their phone camera ready. The moment will probably wind up in a viral social media loop. My father definitely won’t loan me any money to save the ranch. He probably won’t even let me stay for Christmas dinner.

Or I could just run. I’m not fast and Cale is probably very fast. However, given how calm and collected he is I doubt it’s his style to tackle me in front of an audience. I’ll leave that as a last resort.

Cale watches me wrestle with my thoughts. Despite the rumors of his profession, he doesn’t come off as remotely threatening. And now I’m truly curious.

“What exactly do you want, Cale?”

“I told you what I want. I want to help you.”

All right, I overreacted. No need to run or scream. “You want to help me save the ranch?”

“That’s what I just said.”

“You also said you wouldn’t donate or give me a loan.”

“True. I look at it as more of a business proposition.”

I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. “Great. I’m all ears.”

“Not here. Let’s take a drive and talk it out. My car’s parked right outside.”

“A drive? Like just the two of us?”

“Do you require a chaperone?”

“No.” I chew the inside of my cheek. It’s an old childhood habit that sometimes strikes in tense moments. Stepmother Number Two used to say it made me look like a deformed seal. “But I can’t just leave the party. My father will see it as a sign of disrespect.”

“Sadie, your father couldn’t give less of a shit if you’re here or not.”

Ouch.

Likely true but…

Ouch.

Cale stands and extends his hand. “We’re leaving.”

After hesitating for only a split second, I take the hand he’s offering. I’m feeling a bit rattled right now so the sudden charged electricity of his touch is a lot to grapple with. Then, to my surprise, Cale circles a firm arm around my waist and leads me to the door.

We pass a sea of faces and some of them raise an eyebrow. Grant’s angry glare skirts into my vision and I shudder.

Cale tightens his arm around my waist and bends closer to my ear. “Don’t look so nervous. I’m not as bad as you think I am.”

I have no idea whether or not I should believe him.

But for now I’m going to play along.

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