“Kind of like, always chasing after what you don’t have,” I murmured in understanding. “That’s really sad.”
“Don’t feel bad for Richard Ashford. He’s doing just fine,” Callum said with a smile. “Eleanor and Richard are both sharks. They’re probably perfect for each other.”
“As long as they don’t eat each other,” I quipped.
“True enough, but I say that’s their problem. All I need is for Ashford to see us as that happy couple he desperately wants to be so subconsciously his favor swings my way.”
“I think you might be a shark, too,” I said.
He grinned with a shrug. “Maybe so. Thanks for swimming with me.”
“Who hasn’t dreamed of swimming with sharks?”
I leaned back in the darkened car, enjoying no longer having to be “on” but there was something about tonight’s performance that bothered me more than having to pretend to enjoy schmoozing with a bunch of entitled rich people.
It was how easily Callum pretended to be in love with me.
I mean, yeah, that was the point, but for a heartbeat, even I was fooled.
And it bothered me because I liked the feeling of his adoration.
I hope this little adventure didn’t turn out to be the worst decisions of my life.
Guess I’ll just have to wait and find out.
six
CALLUM
I stood outside Willow's apartment building at ten-fifteen on a Wednesday morning, questioning every decision that had led me here.
The rational part of my brain—the part that had built a successful architecture firm and survived a divorce and learned to function as a reasonably competent adult—kept asking what the hell I thought I was doing. Showing up unannounced. On her day off. With a plan that could charitably be described as "flimsy excuse to spend time with her."
The irrational part of my brain, which had apparently staged a coup sometime in the past week, didn't care.
I buzzed her apartment.
No answer.
I buzzed again.
"What." Her voice crackled through the ancient intercom, thick with sleep or annoyance. Possibly both.
"It's Callum."
A pause. "Callum?"
"Hayes. The architect. Your fake boyfriend. We've met."
"I know who you are." Another pause. "Why are you here?"
"Buzz me up and find out."
"It's my day off."
"I'm aware."
"I'm not dressed."
