Page 19 of Fourth Wall

I grabbed his hand that had lingered too long on my thigh and pulled him to his feet.

“Come here.” A chorus of laughs echoed in the background as I pulled Christian around the corner and into the office. It was much darker due to the deep wood tones, which gave it somewhat of an ominous vibe.

“Oooo, watch out, Christian. You’re in trouble,” Tatum echoed as I stomped down the hallway.

I quite literally shoved him inside the office before slamming the door. He leaned onto the large desk.

“What in the actual fuck are you doing?” I shook my head in disgust as I stood on the opposite side of the room as him.

“What do you mean?” I wanted to wipe the annoying smug look off his face.

“Come on, Christian. Please be reasonable here.” He threw his hands up in the air like he had no idea what I was talking about.

“I’m trying to be, firecracker.”

“Stop calling me that,” I demanded.

He took a small step toward me. “No.” Then he took a step back and leaned against the desk again. “It seems like I’m the only option here to help you and the girls out.”

“I will find someone else on Tinder like Elio suggested.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest while he ran his fingers through his long blond hair.

“You’re telling me that you would much rather go with some stranger who you have to convince to move in with you and pick your children up over me?” No. I wouldn’t.

Fuck. I needed to make this work. I really didn’t have another option.

“There needs to be some rules. I need to pay some rent, so I don’t feel like a freeloader.”

“If you want.” Christian nodded while I watched the smug grin return. I hated that grin. I wanted to wipe it off his face so fast.

“We sleep in separate bedrooms.” This time, he laughed so loud the small office reverberated. “Not funny,” I added.

“Trust me, Maeve. I don’t want to sleep in the same bed as you, either.” I ignored his comment.

“This brings me to my third and final point, then.” He nodded, encouraging me to continue. “No fuck buddies around the girls. You can bring them home when the girls are at Tyler’s house during the week, but you cannot bring them around when they’re at the house.” The grin quickly wiped off his face and was replaced by a look I couldn’t quite explain.

“Maeve.” The way he said my name commanded my entire attention. It was low and rough. His eyes narrowed at me. “I want to do this to help a…friend out. I would never do anything to hurt you. Plus, if we are to keep up this facade that we’re dating, then I suggest that neither of us see anyone for six months.”

“Psh, can you even last that long without having sex?” I asked. He was a playboy. I knew he was. I also knew he didn’t have girlfriends, just fuck-friends.

“I think I’ll survive if you flash me a tit every so often,” he joked. I couldn’t help but smile and roll my eyes at his sarcasm.

“Fine, then I guess we’re doing this,” I finally conceded, knowing that I was totally and utterly fucked regardless, so I may as well be fucked with Christian.

“Thank god you came to your senses.” I rolled my eyes yet again at Christian.

“I’ll take you tomorrow to go house shopping.” I nodded in agreement and shoved my hands in my pocket. Christian pulledup from the wooden table he was leaning on and walked past me. He paused briefly in the doorframe.

“And firecracker?”

“Yeah?”

“No more falling asleep in my lap. It isn’t a good look for you.” He winked at me, and I grabbed a pen from the desk, throwing it in his direction.

“Jerk,” I mumbled under my breath.

I guess I was doing this. Somehow, the person I both despised and craved his touch the most, was about to become my live-in partner. I had to convince myself that it would only last six months. Once the judge witnessed my compliance with their recommendations and the custody schedule was firmly established for the girls, we could return to our usual routine. Christian could resume his obnoxious behavior toward me, and I could revert to being a single mother residing in my parents' guesthouse at the rear of the property. As for now, I would have to figure out how to afford rent for an apartment that was likely beyond my means.

"Take deep breaths," I muttered, forcing a fake smile onto my face to endure the remainder of the evening. I could allow myself to break down when I reached home. For now, I just had to make it through this dinner with my friends before I erupted.

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