"These are perfect," Asha says softly, breaking off a corner of the pastry. "Just like—" She stops herself and glances at Dar.
Dar gives her a knowing smile. "Just like I taught you," she finishes for her.
I can't be sure what they were talking about before I entered the kitchen, but I know whatever it was must have been intense. It was written all over Asha's face when I walked in. It was why I wasn't convinced when she kissed me that she did it for any reason other than to keep up appearances. However, the way I watch something pass between them now…I know it must have been about her father or maybe even her mother. They've beenseparated by an ocean and family drama for years, and I'm only beginning to understand how deep that must be for her.
"This evening has been…" Asha pauses, setting down her napkin as she finds the right words. "Everything. Thank you so much for opening your home to us in this way."
"We wouldn't have it any other way," Santiago says. "It's not often we get to?—"
"Actually," Dar interrupts, reaching down beside her chair. She pulls out a portfolio, and I feel the shift in the air immediately. "If the two of you are ready to sign, I'd like to get this out of the way so we can truly enjoy what time we have left together this week and not worry or stress about this merger."
She slides the contract across the table, and I reach for it, holding it so that Asha can review it with me. I flip through the pages, scanning the terms we've already negotiated via email and video calls. Everything looks in order. Standard partnership agreement, profit sharing, and operational oversight. I'm about to reach for the pen Dar's offering when Asha goes still beside me.
Her hand wraps around my wrist. "My name is on it," she says quietly.
Dar's brow furrows, confusion flickering across her features. "Is that a problem?"
I look down at the contract again—really look this time. There it is, my name and Asha's, listed together.
Trigger and Asha Hale, co-owners.
Asha's face has gone carefully blank, that mask she wears when she's about to bolt. I've seen it enough times now to recognize it. Hot and cold, this woman. Fire and ice. And I can't get enough of her particular brand of crazy. But this time, I seesomething deeper. The way her hand is applying firm pressure around my wrist is a warning. This isn't just about her father not knowing Dar is her aunt, though that's certainly part of it. This is about us. About a contract that will tie her to me long after our one-year arrangement ends.
I cover her hand with mine, feeling her pulse jump against my palm. "Can you excuse us?" I say, keeping my voice even. "We need a minute. We haven't talked about how this affects things when we get home."
It's vague enough. Dar doesn't need to know that Asha still hasn't told her father she not only knows he has a sister, but that his sister is my new business partner. Santiago doesn't need to know our marriage has an expiration date. Nobody needs to know that I've fallen for my fake wife, and she's simultaneously kissing me and running from me in the same breath.
"Of course," Dar says, though her eyes narrow slightly.
Asha's already pushing back from the table, mumbling apologies. I follow her into the hallway, pulling the heavy wooden door closed behind us.
"Asha, what's?—"
"I can't sign that," she says, her voice tight. She's staring at a painting on the wall, like it holds the answers to all her problems. "We can tell them I'm not comfortable having my name on the contract because of my father. I’m fine with admitting he and I haven't talked and that he doesn't know Dar and I have found each other."
I step closer, unable to help myself. "Is that what you really want?"
"Trigger, what kind of question is that? This is your merger, not mine. This contract lasts longer than our arrangement, which means?—"
"I know what it means," I interrupt her. She finally looks at me, and there's something raw in her dark eyes. "So, I'll ask you again. Do you really want your name removed?"
Her lips part, and for a second, I think she might answer honestly. Might tell me what's really going on in that brilliant, complicated head of hers. But then she shakes her head. "You don't understand. When my father finds out about Dar, about this whole thing, he's going to..." She breaks off. "And now my name is on a contract that makes me your business partner on top of your wife? He's going to lose it. You thought he hated you before; that will be nothing compared to what comes after this."
"I'm not worried about what your father may or may not do. I'm worried about one thing and one thing only." I place my hand on the wall beside her head. "You."
We stand there in the hallway, close enough that I could kiss her again if I wanted to. If she wanted me to. And God help me, I think maybe she does. I think maybe that's what scares her most.
"What are you really afraid of?" I ask softly. "Your father finding out about Dar? Or the fact that, when this year is up, you won't want to walk away?"
Her breath catches. Bullseye.
"Asha, I'll be honest with you; I have no idea what I'm doing here. You run hot and cold so fast I get whiplash. One minute, you're kissing me like the world's ending, and the next, you're looking at me like I'm a stranger. But I'm drawn to you anyway. All your crazy, all your complications…I can't get enough of it. Of you."
She stares at me, something wild and terrified in her expression. "You don't know what you're saying."
"I know exactly what I'm saying."
"We have a deal," she attempts to make excuses.
