Page 42 of A Temporary Forever

“I’m considering joining a business venture that interests me as an occupation, and would certainly make me richer.”

“Why would you need to get richer?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

She takes a sip of wine, and I swear watching her is like an artful form of porn. What the fuck is wrong with me?

“Don’t you have enough?”

“Myenoughredefines with the more I have.”

“So you make more to spend more?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

She eats for a moment, a line splitting her forehead. “I’ve never thought of it like that. But yeah, if I had more, I’d get a bigger apartment, new clothes, take a vacation.”

“Of course. And you’d probably invest in more art,support more causes. I spend only a small portion. I invest, so the money makes me more money.”

She laughs. “You make it sound so easy.”

“Itiseasy, but it’s hard work at the same time, I guess.”

The halibut tastes fantastic. I’d have never ordered fish on my own, but now I’m a fan. Just like that, two hours into my fake marriage, the woman is influencing my habits.

“So what is this new venture?”

“It’s mergers and acquisition. I don’t want to make you fall asleep.”

“Because I’m just a simple dancer?”

I snap my head to her. Why would she assume that? “What the fuck, Celeste?” I saw her business books. I know she can discuss this.

“Isn’t that what people generally think?”

“I sure hope not. Is that what you believe?”

“That’s the opinion I’m faced with regularly.”

I drop my fork, annoyance edging its way through me. “I’m asking if you believe it.”

“I don’t particularly care what people say, but it’s not like any of your friends, or even you, would want to discuss anything substantial with me. Because I’m just a sexy dancer.”

I grind my molars. She’s trying to sound casual, but there’s hurt in her voice, in her expression, as sheavoids my eyes, suddenly dedicated to cutting a cherry tomato on her plate.

“For the record, black swan, if anyone makes you feel inferior, you remove them from your life. Or they’ll have to go through me. Don’t ever buy into that bullshit.”

Chapter 13

Celeste

Oh, the irony.

This man has been making me feel exactly that. Less than. Not enough. But I don’t have the option to remove him from my life for the time being.

But his words… They melt my insides like a chocolate truffle, sweet and decadent.

“At least for the next three years.” He smirks, jest crinkling around his eyes. God, he’s infuriatingly handsome.

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