Mr. Caldera's Fake Girlfriend

ting with my phone. The silence between us is thick, not quite uncomfortable, but not exactly warm either. I sneak a glance

the ride? No, that's lame. Bring up the wh

n the quiet. He hands me a business card with h

re taking it. "Fancy. Do all yo

I catch the faintest s

but I shove the feeling down. "Wow, what an

me, his gaze steady. "Call me if they bother you, or

into my purse. It feels weirdly transactiona

efuses to cooperate. Instead, it's a riot of thou

kind of lifestyle I've only ever seen on TV? My inner realist scoffs at the idea, but another, q

rk. A cozy little place with dim lighting, good food, and bett

have made this offer thinking I'd refuse, expecting me to be like the girls in movies

d I'm not too p

n but cozy enough. I share it with Violet, a

house, his face unr

ng my seatbelt. "Thank

epeats, one

re calling the shot

t hint of amusement softening h

eply, deliberately

gering on me for a second before th

rock and bubblegum pop as she scrubs the kitchen counter. When she spots me

What was it like?" she

hat like?" I as

a's, and you're asking me what was what like? Are you serious? I want details. All

let," I groan,

" she argues, trailing after

, deadpan. "I wouldn't know

er towel onto the counter. "Well, that's boring. W

hinking of the potential things I could ask for in this arrangement

ont of my face. "Don't zone out on me. If y

back. "I got so

han sex with Lucian Calde

atic effect. I take a deep breath, pr

s girlf

literall

lutching her chest like I've j

ify, though it does littl

"How did this even happen? Oh my God, are you going to get, like, a wardrobe mak

He needs me to keep the press off his back, and... well, let's

in like she's trying to read my m

I reply wi

Lucian's offer. This isn't just a game or a scheme

he Culinary Institute, and I step out, ti

--

gainst the morning chill. The building looms over me, its sleek glass façade shimmering in the sunli

, I can't shake the sensation o

ces, not polit

r. "Is there shit on me?" I mutter, spinning around in a

stares d

board plastered with flyers. The whispers start next, hushed mur

ch sn

riousl

uldn't

ook a

l in my stomach, but I swallow it down. I can deal

en I s

ool. She's lounging by her locker, perfectly manicured nails tapping against her phone

of the hour," she purrs, loud enough

owly, I turn to face

picture-me and Lucian. From this morning. His hand wrapped around my wris

So that's why pe

d with venom. "What's it like being Lucian Caldera's littl

Everyone's watching now,

reaction, and I'll be damned if I give her the one she's expecting. "I

st be nice getting paid to pretend you matter. Is that what you're doing

away, letting it go. But then I remember how muc

step closer, "not everyone serves the

sp echoes throu

ase. As if you're anything special. You're so desperate for attention, i

igning innocence.

like I've just told the most outrageous joke. "Honey, i

brow. "You sur

s back. "I'll even dona

pulling my phone from my pock

mber, my foot tapping impatiently as it

his voice bored, like he's a

say briskly. "Y

es, there's a hint of amusement in his tone. "Girlfriend, is

need a favor, and as your girl

rigued, the boredom slippin

Amara, who's watching me like a hawk. "In two hours. Brin

n his voice when he says, "I hope this is worth my time

an,"

e's intrigued. "Send me th

ging up before he ca

cket. Turning back to Amara, I flash a smile that could cut glass. "You

y steps measured even as my pulse thrums like a drumbeat. My

on. And I