r fingers tightening around her messenger bag li

id slowly. "You want me to pretend

k, arms crossed, watching her like she was a complicate

blackmai

prefer the term... mutual

ed. "You'r

n tapping the windows. "I'm practical. And I

got swept up in dramatic ultimatums and shady CEO plots. She painted murals in

ared businessman, who was offering her a one-yea

he asked, more out of morbid cur

at the charity gala next week. After that, a formal announcement will be made. Photos, dinners

at do you get out of it, b

ly. They value traditional values-marriage, loyalty, legacy. My public persona

mess up?"

es darkened.

shallow. "I still don

ntly. "No ties, no media presenc

not a co

't meant

ween them. Outside, t

ve. But behind those screams was anot

choice do

ve rich family members or a lawyer. She barely had enou

in the eye. "A

to your quaint, bohemian life. With enough money to

rious," sh

way

emotional

pe. I'm not yours

hat. He had no idea what

she said finally. "Eve

urse. You'll have my lawyer

kily. "And I ca

ore time than ever. Consid

ke the surrealness off her shoulders like a

"I'll do it. But I

sed a brow.

with you. And I won't wear anything that

Though you might reconsider the third

eyes. "You have

ious

took h

was fir

an sealing

ormance of your life

ted to p

he co

ade a deal w

was no g