Page 32 of A Temporary Forever

“Look, I appreciate—”

“Cal, I can see you want to be part of it. What would it take to get you on board?”

“Twenty-five percent.” Fuck. Did I just make a counteroffer on the spot like this?

“Okay, I’ll take it back and call you later. Anything else?”

“Send the financial projections, the NDA, and everything else to Dominic Cressard, he’s my lawyer.”

Xander nods. “You won’t regret it.”

“I haven’t committed to anything yet.”

“Sure. Sure. Do you want to grab lunch?”

“No, I have to go and see my fiancée.”

His surprised expression is the sweet cherry on top of the particularly foul cake this day has been so far.

Chapter 10

Celeste

Ithrow my vibrator to the side, sighing blissfully. I don’t need to beg Caleb for anything. Even though I just imagined him while chasing my orgasm. And when I was doing laundry yesterday. And during my stretching session.

I pass, black swan.

The amount of humiliation that man has caused me would easily fill this apartment. But I can’t spend the day hating Caleb van den Linden. I need to figure out how to save my position, my visa, and my colleagues.

I sit up and take a painkiller. I haven’t slept well since Reinhard told me I’m fucked. And this morning, after tossing all night and falling asleep at dawn, some commotion and drilling in the hallway woke me up.Someone must be moving in or out, because it’s still going on.

I squeeze into my mini shower. God, that powder room in his house. Fuck, kill me for wanting something nicer in my life. Starting anew in France would set me even further back.

I let the hot water hit my skin and allow my tears to fall freely. If I cry in the shower it doesn’t count, because I’m already wet.

I wallow for a few more moments, enjoying the hot water while it lasts, then step out and wrap myself in a towel before I pad to my room. I’m sure Caleb never runs out of hot water.

Stop it, Celeste. Forget about that insufferable man.

My ringtone distracts me from my pity party.

“Saar, how are you, babe?” I sound way too cheerful.

“I have good news. Cal is going to help you out, after all.”

I freeze. “I don’t think so.”

“Celeste, stop being stubborn and take his help. I talked to him just now, and he agreed to try.”

Trybeing the operative word here. I should rejoice, but after Wednesday night, when I couldn’t get out of his loft fast enough, I can’t imagine facing him again, let alone living with him.

“Saar, I doubt he means it. And even if he did, what if something happens? We both know it’s bound to end poorly, and I don’t want that to come between us.”

She laughs. “I assure you, my brother’s sworn off love, so there’s no chance you’d break his heart. And the marriage would be fake, so I won’t have to pick a side in the divorce.”

“I offered to sleep with him,” I blurt out.

“Oh my God.” Her gasp carries over the line, shaming me.

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