Page 44 of The Love Clause

"But they're real," I acknowledge, the closest I can come to reciprocating her declaration. "What I feel for you is real, Josie. Even if I can't…articulate it properly."

Her smile turns more genuine. "That's a start."

She settles back against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine, and I hold her close, wondering when exactly this woman with her chaos and her candor became essential to my existence.

And wondering, with mounting dread, what happens when our worlds inevitably collide.

SEVENTEEN

Josie

Morning light paintsElliot's kitchen in shades of gold as I sip coffee from a mug that probably costs more than my electricity bill. The apartment is silent except for Barney's soft snores from his makeshift bed on the couch and the occasional car horn from the street below. Elliot left for an early meeting—something about briefing partners on the Harrison deal—with a quick kiss that felt almost normal, almost real. Like we're an actual couple who do normal morning things instead of two people who fell into each other through a bizarre fake engagement scheme. I run my fingers over the expensive marble countertop, feeling like an imposter in this perfect space while simultaneously wondering if maybe, just maybe, I could belong here.

Last night replays in my mind—the intensity, the connection that went far beyond physical. The words I'd whispered into the darkness, laying my heart bare despite knowing Elliot wasn't ready to reciprocate. But he hadn't pulled away. Hadn't shutdown. His admission that his feelings were real, even if he couldn't articulate them properly, felt like a breakthrough in the impenetrable wall of Elliot Carrington.

My phone buzzes on the counter, Mandy's name lighting up the screen. I hesitate before answering—explaining where I am and why I haven't come home will invite relentless teasing—but the prospect of avoiding her is worse. She'd probably send a search party, or worse, show up here herself.

"Good morning, traitor," I answer, aiming for casual. "I assume you're calling to see if I'm still alive after the fake engagement weekend from hell?"

"More like calling to see if you're coming home anytime this decade," Mandy replies. "Marco and I had a bet going on whether you'd return or run off to become a lawyer's trophy wife."

"I'm not—" I stop, unsure how to define exactly what I am to Elliot. "It's complicated."

"Ohmygod!" Mandy's voice rises to a pitch that makes me hold the phone away from my ear. "You slept with him! You totally slept with Money Bags! I want details—was it all controlled and scheduled? Did he make you fill out a consent form in triplicate first?"

"I'm not discussing this," I say, though I can't keep the smile from my voice. "Especially not while standing in his kitchen."

"You're in his KITCHEN?" Another octave higher. "So it wasn't just a one-night stand! This is serious!"

"I don't know what it is," I admit, moving to the living room windows that overlook the city. "But yes, I'm at his place. I'll be home later today, probably."

"Did he at least pay you first?" she asks, her tone shifting to something more practical. "The fifty grand?"

"He said it would be in my account by this morning." I check the time on the microwave—just past nine. "I should probably log in and check."

"You absolutely should." Mandy's voice takes on an urgency that reminds me of our precarious financial situation. "Marco talked to the landlord yesterday, and he's not budging on the eviction unless we pay up in full. Plus your student loan people called again."

Reality crashes back like a bucket of cold water. For a brief, lovely moment, I'd forgotten about the financial disaster awaiting me at home. About the real reason I agreed to this whole scheme in the first place.

"Right. I'll check now and transfer what we need for rent immediately." I grab my laptop from my bag, opening my banking app. "Oh my god."

"What? Is the money not there? I swear, if that suit stiffed you after all this?—"

"No, it's here." I stare at the balance—a number with more digits than I've ever seen in my account. "All of it. Exactly fifty thousand dollars."

"Holy shit," Mandy breathes. "That's life-changing money, Josie."

"I know." I sink onto the couch, still staring at the screen. "I can pay off the rent, catch up on my student loans, maybe even get a proper studio space..."

"And have a cushion for once in your life," Mandy adds. "No more ramen dinners or choosing between art supplies and electricity."

"It doesn't feel real." I shake my head, trying to process it. "This whole weekend, the money, Elliot…none of it feels real."

"Well, the money is definitely real. And from what you're not telling me, I'm guessing the sex was pretty real too." Mandy'svoice turns more serious. "You like him. Like, actually like him, beyond the arrangement."

I sigh, running a hand through my tangled hair. "Yeah. I do. I told him last night."

"Told him what exactly?"

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