Page 34 of The Plus One Contract

“Smart move. Gives me more time with my girl.”

Just as relief washes over me, Dad turns back to Nathan with a terrifying gleam in his eyes. “You’re welcome to the spare room, son. Plenty of space.”

I nearly choke on my spit.

Nathan? Staying in my childhood home?

Absolutely fucking not.

But Nathan doesn't even hesitate. “I appreciate the offer, but I've already booked a hotel. Business meetings, late calls. I wouldn't want to impose.”

Dad nods. “Fair enough, but you're coming to dinner tonight. No excuses.”

My heart sinks like a rock. Nathan’s face remains flawlessly neutral.

“Oh, Dad, Nathan’s schedule is so packed,” I interject. “Meetings, investors, you know. Super important finance-guy stuff.”

Nathan barely misses a beat. “Dinner sounds great. Wouldn't miss it.”

I shoot him a murderous glare.

In return, he flashes a devastating smile.

My dad beams. “Excellent. See you at seven. Nothing fancy, just family.”

“I look forward to it.”

He’s going to pay for this.

As Dad hauls my suitcase away, I can’t shake the memory of Daniel’s smug face the last time I came home. Will Dad compare Nathan to Daniel? Will Mom bring out the old photo albums?

I swallow hard.

As my dad heads toward the exit, Nathan’s hand lightly catches my elbow. “Sienna, one sec?”

I inhale, forcing calm, then smile at my dad, hoping he won’t see the panic attack clawing to get out of my chest. “Go ahead, I’ll catch up.”

The moment my father is out of earshot, I whirl around, arms folded tightly. “What the hell was that?”

“You seemed to need rescuing.”

“Not like that,” I hiss.

He leans in, lowering his voice. “Oh, come on. You vanished this morning without even a goodbye or, ‘Hey, thanks for ruining me for all other men.’”

My cheeks instantly heat. Bastard.

“Maybe it wasn't worth mentioning,” I counter weakly.

He raises a skeptical eyebrow, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

“Fine,” I relent, heart hammering traitorously in my chest. “It was great. Happy now?”

“Almost.” He holds out his phone.

I blink at it. “What now?”

“Your number,” he says. “Considering your disappearing act this morning, I prefer to take fate out of the equation this time. Plus, we have a fake relationship to maintain.”

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