Page 67 of A Temporary Forever

Jesus. I wish he didn’t look this sexy.

“You do?” She frowns.

“Of course,” Caleb says, smiling hopefully.

Mia chews on her lip, looking at us through her tresses. “Okay. All three of us together.”

Caleb jerks his head to me. And I glance away. If I excuse myself, she might think I don’t want to spend time with her. Which is the last thing I want on her shoulders. It’s her father I don’t want to spend time with.

“All three of us, of course,” Caleb says, smiling at Mia, who relaxes visibly.

I can see how she’d feel more comfortable with someone else on their first outing together. So I put on a brave face.

“Great.” I smile at Caleb who looks somewherebetween pleased, full-blown freaked out, and annoyed. “Mia, I need to do my makeup. Would you like me to help you with yours?”

Her eyes pop out. “Really?”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

Mia dashes to the staircase, and as I pass Caleb, he mouths a reluctantthank you.

And the hurt me can’t just let it slide, so I smirk at him. “We need pictures for my application.”

I trace my finger over the fine china, the taste of poached eggs lingering on my tongue, mingling with the hint of truffle in the hollandaise sauce. And a dollop of discomfort from my current company.

The restaurant exudes a sense of refined elegance, and it should make this moment feel wonderfully indulgent, but Mia has been obviously uncomfortable.

And Caleb has been trying too hard with her, and is even more aloof toward me. He’s behaving like I wronged him somehow.

A car stuck in traffic moves more smoothly than the conversation has gone at our table.

We sit by the window, the lazy weekend unraveling on the street. Mia excuses herself and runs to the bathroom.

Of course Caleb took us to a popular, upscale place, but I don’t think he realized the girl might be overwhelmed by the polished marble floors, the chic décor, and every other detail, including the delicate scent of blooming orchids in the middle of our table.

This place is amazing, but it’s not a family restaurant.

“Thank you.” Caleb takes a sip of his water, and I’m not even sure if I heard him right.

“Whatever for?”

“We wouldn’t be here without you. Mia doesn’t look thrilled, but she’s here, which is an improvement.”

His gaze focuses on the street. Like after last night, he can’t even look at me. I want to tell him his distance is unwarranted, and we can just pretend nothing happened.

I’m a big girl. I can protect my feelings and, as much as I wish for it, any commitment from his side isn’t expected. There’s no need to act like an asshole.

But then again, he always has. Unfortunately, this is not the time or place, so I push the feelings deeper and try to ignore the foul taste of this outing.

“I think this place is a bit…” I hesitate.

“You don’t like it?” He snaps his head to me. Oh, wow, now I got his attention?

Chapter 19

Celeste

Iroll my eyes. “I think an eleven-year-old girl not used to your kind of luxuries might be a bit overwhelmed.”

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