Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” I tell everyone. I need a few moments to get myself together. Caleb stands, pulling my chair out.
“I’ll come with you,” he offers.
“It’s fine, stay. You two have plenty to discuss.”
“We do.” Martha smiles.
I can tell Caleb doesn’t want me to go alone, but he reluctantly relents. I make my way across the ballroom, having no clue where the bathroom is. As I wander around, I spot Lauren, Caleb’s assistant. We lock eyes, and she glares at me again. This time I won't avoid it. I walk over to her.
“Lauren, I really wanted to clear things up about the coffee incident.” She should really be apologizing to me, but at this point, I want to move on. She is a part of Caleb's life. Even with everything Martha said, I still adore him. He grew up in a cold world. Maybe I could melt the ice. I could give him that.
"You're so stupid." Lauren rolls her eyes at me. "Wow." She grabs my hand. "He really took this a little bit too far. I knew he wanted the Greens’ deal, but a fake engagement is overkill. It’s so overboard that it’s actually comical.”
"It's not fake." I jerk my hand back.
"Like I said, stupid." She shakes her head. "Don't you see? He's using you, and it's working. But I get it. You are a perfect fit for what the Greens would adore. Me, not so much."
"You're lying."
Lauren lets out a breath, her expression turning to one of sympathy. "I'm sorry. From one girl to another. It's just who Caleb is. Trust me, I've been there and learned myself." I don't want to believe her. "If I were you, I'd walk away. I should have done it months ago. Caleb doesn’t care about anyone but himself.”
“You think I should walk away?”
“You should run.”
And that’s exactly what I do.
15
CALEB
“That fiancée of yours sold us. She’s the only reason we are agreeing to this deal,” Martha tells me when I sit back down, my eyes still following Gabriella. I don’t want her going off on her own. The girl is too fucking gorgeous to be left alone. I’m sure someone will try and steal her away from me. I’d kill them.
“I don’t think he’s listening to you, honey.” Ben chuckles.
“You said I got the deal.” When I lose sight of Gabriella in the crowd, I shift my focus back to the Greens.
“You don’t seem happy about it.” Martha eyes me. The woman watches everything.
“I’m finding that the things that used to please me do not anymore,” I admit.
“Falling in love does that.” Ben clamps his hand down on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. It's something a father would do. A weird emotion fills me. Even the way I perceive the world has started to change.
“Love makes you see the world differently,” I say absently.
“It does,” Ben agrees.
“Well, the deal is yours. I know you won’t be getting rid of the programs now." I turn my head to meet Martha’s eyes.
“No, I won’t be.” With a few words, Gabriella had turned my whole plan around.
“Thank you.” Martha's expression is filled with a mixture of sadness and relief.
“You know—” I start but am cut off when I hear Gabriella say my name. I immediately stand up, seeing her heading straight toward me. She is almost running. “Are you okay?” I rush toward her.
“No, I’m not.” She lets out a huff; her cheeks are flushed.
“Who upset you?” I cast a quick glance over her head and notice Lauren following closely.
“She said it was fake, and you asked me to marry you to fool the Greens,” Gabriella blurts out in a rush. “Now tell her she’s a liar.” She turns and points at Lauren, who has grown two shades whiter.
“You’re fired.”
“But, sir, why else have you been practically stalking this girl? Every day getting the shitty coffee, buying the place after she was fired, oh, and let's not forget buying her building and putting a bodyguard on her.” Lauren throws her hands up.
“You did all that?” Gabriella stares up at me with wide eyes. At least she isn’t running.
“I did all that because I have been obsessed and in love with Gabriella from the moment she gave me her umbrella.” I say this, never taking my eyes off Gabriella. “I don’t need the Greens’ deal,” I add. “Besides, I’m thinking I shouldn’t buy it. A partnership with them might be better.” I cup Gabriella's cheek. I know everyone is watching this all play out, but I don’t care. “Say something.”
“You really did all that for me?” Her eyes fill with tears.
“I did.” I’m not going to lie to her. “And I’d do it all over again.” There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to have her. To feel the way I do when she’s next to me.