Page 31 of A Temporary Forever

“I don’t care about him. I practically forgot he exists.”

That’s an evasion if I’ve ever heard one. “Saar, Iran into him, and I got a distinct feeling that perhaps the history between the two of you differs from what I always assumed.”

“What did he say to you?”

“Tell me what happened back then. Too much time has passed, I’m sure you can explain.”

“I’m not having this conversation over the phone. Besides, why do you care after all this time? It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Fuck, Saar. I’ll always put you first, but Finn almost lost Paris over this feud last year—”

“I fixed that.”

“What? You knew about what went down?”

My brother forbade Paris to work with Quinn, which didn’t go down well with his now-wife. Saar wasn’t even in town at that time. Was she?

My sister doesn’t answer. Fuck this shit. I feel like I’m in high school again.

“Look, Saar, I might have a business opportunity with him and—”

“Is it a good opportunity?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“If it’s something you want to pursue, don’t stop on my account. I’m not having Christmas dinner with Quinn anytime soon, but you don’t have to protect me from him either.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Good, but you’ll tell me the complete story when we see each other next time.”

“Maybe. Cal?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you help Celeste?”

“And perish trying?”

“Cal, please.”

Of course she’d ask this, just subtly feeding into my guilt over potentially working with a man who hurt her.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you.”

“Take care of yourself, sis.”

These women will be the death of me. I down the coffee and basketball shoot the cup into the trash. Before I reach the revolving doors, Xander catches up with me.

“What the fuck, man? What did he do to your sister?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you’re working with the Quinns?” I hiss.

Xander looks around. “Because we’re keeping everything under wraps before we announce the company.”

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