Page 163 of A Temporary Forever

“A bit of a PR nightmare deters you? We’re thriving, and we need you. We can find someone else, of course, but you brought in leads that would make us more money if you brought them to fruition.”

I bite my lip and tiptoe to the stairs. I don’t want to interrupt this, but I can’t help but listen in.

“You could have sent Xander.” Caleb walks to the bar and I step back, hoping he won’t see me.

“I wanted to come myself, after I learned why you left.”

Asshole. He wasn’t supposed to bring that up.

“What do you mean?”

“Your wife has some damn good persuasive skills. If she ever decides to quit dancing, make sure we hire her.”

I scrunch my face as if I could stop the words from coming out of his mouth.

“What are you talking about?”

“Oopsie. You didn’t know she called me. My bad.”

I step forward and walk down, the commotion drawing both men’s attention. “Corm, so nice of you to visit.” My words might have a polite meaning, but I don’t hold back my sarcasm.

When I explained to him that my circumstances forced Caleb to sell his part of the company, I also asked him to keep my interference a secret. But what did I expect from him?

“Celeste, nice to see you. But I think I’ll leave the two of you to enjoy your evening.” He drops a folder on the coffee table. “Have a look and call us tomorrow. Goodnight.”

My attention turns to Caleb. He studies me, his expression solemn.

Then, without a word, he walks to pick up the folder and flips through its pages. I stop at the base of the staircase, unsure if I should join him, worried I might have overstepped. Embarrassed him. That he might loathe my interference.

What man wouldn’t? Shit. I wanted to finally do something for him, but I guess I should have thought it through better.

His gaze finds me again, and I falter.

“You talked to him.” It’s not a question, and that almost makes it worse.

I nod. “Yes. Is that an offer to buy back your share of the business?”

“No.”

My heart sinks as I approach him and snatch the folder. Scanning the documents, I frown. “This is the sale agreement.”

Caleb flips to the last page. Beside his signature are Xander’s and Declan’s, but the field for Corm’s signature is empty.

“He wasn’t there the morning we did this. It turns out he hasn’t signed it yet.”

He takes the folder from my hands, drops it to the sofa and pulls me to him.

“Are you mad I talked to him?” I lower my head, but look up at him through my lashes.

“I’m not happy about it, but when I look past that, I think I’m grateful. The asshole was waiting for me to come beg him. He came to gloat that I sent you to do it for me, but I guess now he knows that’s not the case.”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t bear that you left because of me. You deserve both. Merged and me.”

“Oh, black swan, you’re wrong. I deserve Merged, and thank you for nudging them for me. But I don’t deserve you. I will, however, try to live up to that challenge every day. For the rest of my life.”

Epilogue

Celeste

---