“Yes. I’m going to be the father of this baby for the rest of my life. I need to know your sister, whether our marriage lasts or not.”
“Here goes.” She picks up her phone, presses a name, and takes a breath.
“Lena Bean? Are you okay? You never call. What’s going on?” Celeste’s voice is sharp with worry.
Tears well in Selena's eyes. She’s having a hard time speaking.
“Selena?”
“Hi.” I jump in because I’m a lawyer and I know how to plow forward. “My name is Griffin Calloway. I’m here with Selena.She’s just a little speechless at the moment, but she’s fine. We’ve had a rough night.”
What the fuck am I telling this woman?
“Griffin Calloway?” Her voice has a hateful ring to it.
“Hey, Celeste, it’s me. I’m fine.” Selena’s voice shakes. “Griffin is um...” she falters.
“With the Mafia? A stalker? A serial killer? I’m calling the police.” Celeste means business.
“A billionaire.” Selena looks at me. I shrug. I mean, technically, yes.
“What the fuck are you doing with a billionaire? Selena, come home. Landon isn’t doing well, and Mom is beside herself. We’re all a mess. Just come back. I know that you're creative, passionate, and wild...”
I smile and mouthwild?which earns me a slap on the thigh.
“...but you belong here.”
I crinkle my face and shake my head. She belongs with me. Suddenly, I want to fight her sister.
Selena closes her eyes and takes a big, steadying breath. “Celeste. Are you sitting down?”
“Oh God, you’re not pregnant, are you?”
“I am,” Selena says. “And I’m married.”
“What?” Now her sister is the quiet one.
I figure that is my cue. “I’m the husband.” I try to keep it light. “I know this is a shock. It would be strange if it weren’t. But before you berate your sister, she and I have a healthy arrangement. We are acting as adults, and at the end of our contracted period, Selena will be a very wealthy woman. Weunderstand this is sudden. I’m too well known to be a serial killer, and while I’m acquainted with people in the mafia, I usually keep my distance.”
I’m a little proud of that speech.
“Selena?”
“It’s just like Griffin said. We’re having fun, Celeste.” She offers a little smile, though her sister can’t see it.
“Fun? You think this is fun? Landon is nearly suicidal. He said you made him feel like he never deserved you.”
I see Selena’s face go red. “He fucked another womanat our wedding. He doesn’t deserve me.”
“I have learned in our brief time together that Selena is beautiful, sweet, and smart,” I interject. “It takes a lot to earn her respect. I am trying my best to prove to her that I am actually worthy of her company. You might tell her ex to do the same.”
I give Selena a sweet grin. A knock at the door tells me our food is here.
“We’re going to have to hang up in a minute; our food has arrived, and I want to make sure Selena eats.” I get up to let the waiter in.
“You're really pregnant?” Her sister sounds so disappointed.
“That part we didn’t plan,” Selena admits. “I just found out yesterday. It’s very early. So don’t tell anyone yet.”
