Page 4 of A Temporary Forever

She throws her head back, her fake laugh drawing attention around us. “I’ve lived without your compliments for twenty-seven years, I’ll do perfectly fine moving forward. But it wasn’t a compliment you offered. You were ogling me, and not even trying to be subtle about it.”

Fuck, why can’t I admit my defeat here? I really should.Just say sorry, Cal.

Instead, I lean back, crossing one leg over the other, mimicking her pose. If she’s the queen, I can be the fucking king. “It works.” I shrug.

With another saccharine smile, she leans forward, making sure her cleavage is on display. I don’t drop my gaze this time.

“I’m sure there are women who appreciate your behavior, but I like my men classy, with a dash of restraint in public places.”

“And I like my women a bit more blushing, and less opinionated.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not your woman.”

Chapter 2

Caleb

It’s a good thing I’m not your woman.The minute she said those words last night, something primal snapped in me. I wanted her to be my woman.

Probably just to prove to her she isn’t immune to my advances. Or to prove to myself that… Fuck if I know.

I could smile at any woman, and she’d be mine. So why do I care about this particular one? She’s hot as fuck, but her personality isn’t my type.

Untamable. Unpliable. Unpredictable.

Un-fucking-forgettable.

Goddammit.

“Oh, Cal, I’m going to miss you.” Reilly, my brother’s assistant, pulls me out of my reverie. Or a downward spiral.

He gets teary as he hands me a card that could easily serve as a glitter bomb.

I keep it at arm’s length. I don’t need my suit to sparkle as I leave this office for the last time.

It’s ironic how it took me thirty years to wake up one morning and finally realize that I was living a life planned for me by my parents—even by me—as I bought into the idea of this future.

That wake-up hadn’t come suddenly, like a splash of cold water would cause. It’d crept in over the last couple of months.

And as much as I pretended thirty was too soon for a mid-life crisis, the restless feeling persisted.

“Reilly, at least you finally have a chance to win karaoke at the office party.”

The boardroom and the reception area buzz like a bar on a Friday night, minus the cocktails. The table is laden with an assortment of bagels, muffins, and a ridiculously opulent fruit salad Reilly ordered, probably behind my brother’s back.

Laughter that is slightly inappropriate for a Tuesday morning fills the Quaintique-Linden offices. It’s for my benefit, and I enjoy seeing everyone relaxed.

It was important for Finn and me to create a culture diametrically different from what Linden Enterprises represented under its former CEO, our father.

“Yeah, if I ever blackmail Finn into renting a karaoke machine for us now once you’re gone.” Reilly huffs, sauntering away.

I make my way through the room, saying goodbye to my colleagues, coffee in my hand.

“So you’re sure?” Finn catches my elbow, steering me away from the action.

I chuckle. “It’s done, bro. Get used to it.”

“You can always come back.” The crease on his forehead deepens.

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