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“Rose is that unwell?”

“Yes.”

His eyes filled with sympathy and determination as well. “As soon as our engagement is announced, I’ll get the ball rolling.”

“Thank you. I just need a few days. I want to tell my family first.”

“Would you like me to be with you?”

This news was not going to go down well, not any of it. “I think it’s best if I do it alone.”

“Okay,” he said, then waved for a waiter.

We ordered lunch. I wanted to leave, but it seemed rude, considering I’d just agreed to marry him, even if it was in name only.

The food arrived, and Clay ordered champagne.

He smiled at me. “We’re celebrating, right?”

“What are we celebrating?” a smooth voice said behind me.

I turned in my seat and Isaac Eldridge stood behind us, a polite smile on his thin lips.

“This is a private party, Eldridge,” Clayton said, gaze darkening. “And you’ll find out soon enough.”

“Clay,” I bit out.

Clayton drew in a shaky breath and smiled at me. “Apologies.”

Isaac’s dark gaze slid to me. “If this is what I think it is, you chose wrong, sweetheart.”

Jesus.

“If you’ve finished, we’d like to enjoy our lunch in peace,” Clay said to him.

Isaac didn’t look away from me, and something slithered up my spine. “Give me a call if you change your mind.” Then he winked and walked out.

“Goddamn it,” I said and shoved my chair back.

“Don’t leave,” Clay said. “Stay, ignore that asshole.”

“He knows, Clayton. It will be all over the city, all over Nightscape by the end of the day. I need to talk to my family.”

He stood. “You’re right. Sorry, I didn’t handle that very well.”

“It’s…it’s fine. But I need to go.”

He pulled me into his arms, and my instinct was to shove him away, but I forced myself not to. Recoiling in public at your fiancé’s touch probably wasn’t the best way to keep him on your good side. Yes, I was using him, but he was using me as well. I was doing this for Rose and Rose alone.

He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I’ll call you later.”

I nodded and got the hell out of there.

* * *

My phone rang as I parked outside the house. Pulling it out of my satchel, I checked the screen. My heart seized.

Ren.