Page 14 of A Temporary Forever

“It was my key gig, and one of my dancers canceled, so Paris let me talk her into it. Only rightafter our performance, Saar’s father barged backstage and wreaked havoc. He was upset about the mother of his grandchild ‘stripping.’”

Saar rolls her eyes as Cora gasps.

“His words,” Saar says. “The irony is that he was there because he was fucking one of the dancers. Who was younger than me. He almost cost my brother his fiancée, and the club fired Celeste.”

Cora flinches. “Your father is—”

“A conniving, cheating piece of shit,” Saar sums up matter-of-factly. “Yes, that he is, and worse.”

“After I got the gig at The Pulse Stage, the problem was solved. I doubt Charles van den Linden even knows I was the casualty of his vendetta.” I take a generous bite of my croissant.

“But his son knows, and he would want to help.” Saar points at me, raising her eyebrows.

“I wouldn’t go as far aswant.” I wipe the pastry crumbs from my lips. It could be a simple solution, but the price seems too high. The man is an insufferable playboy.

“What’s with the two of you, anyway? I only met him a few times, but he’s handsome, rich, and funny.” Cora shrugs.

“I agree. A convenient marriage might be the best and fastest solution.” Saar grumbles, “I’m sure he’d do thatfor me.”

“I want to marry someone who wants to be with me. Call me a romantic. Your brother is one of those guys who asks for a number and never calls, and then pretends not to know the girl.” I take a sip of my latte and stop myself from spitting it out.

Shit, Lily has a steep learning curve. I don’t know the girl, but there’s an aura of desperation around her that I sympathize with—I guess birds of a feather. I want her to succeed.

Saar snorts. “I doubt Cal has ever asked for a number. He just gets them. He oozes charm naturally, poor women. Though I don’t understand why he’s a dick around you. Perhaps that’s a sign.” Saar shrugs.

“What sign? That we should stay away from each other? I agree with that.” I finish my second croissant.

“No, like, you know when we were kids, and a boy who liked you would bully you?” Saar stirs the spoon in her almost-full coffee mug. I guess she gave up after the first sip as well.

“That’s the most fucked-up idea of romancing.” Cora snorts.

“And we’re not in kindergarten anymore,” I add.

“I’m curious, though, why do you hate my brother?”

“Have you heard him talking to me?”

“I have, but I also heard you talking to him, and the razzing is mutual.”

I don’t know what to say to that. I’m usually not riled up that easily, but Caleb is a man who makes me feel challenged—and not in a good way. Besides, the last thing I need in my life is to be one of his women.

“Isn’t that a good set-up for a fake marriage?” Cora pushes her mug away. “I mean, you’ll get hitched with clear rules, and an expiration date.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. “And kill each other in the process?”

“You can minimize your interactions.” Saar leans forward, propping her chin on her hand. “Think of your career, Celeste.”

Chapter 5

Caleb

Ipace the pavement in front of a rundown building, pissed. At myself. But mostly at Saar. I had to cut my second meeting with Xander short.

After I dropped the bomb that I left Quaintique-Linden, he told me more about his company, Merged, and fuck if I wasn’t ready to invest on the spot. We agreed to meet today and discuss the topic more.

However, before we could get into it, I discovered seven missed calls from Saar and cut the meeting short.

And it’s not even Saar who needs help. Seven fucking phone calls to help her goddamn friend.

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