nlight poured through the massive windows, casting long shadows on the glossy fl

unding like a drum in her chest. She hadn't eaten much,

steady, and unbothered. He looked exactly like the kind of man who had his life figured out. His su

of her and sat beside her,

he said. "No legal jargon. Jus

his for a second. The paper was thick, the kind used for

EN ELIZA DAWSON

ses of a Tempo

ast for six months, e

appear in public as

ions or obligations

e provided to Eliza for pe

gifts received dur

ement early, a mutual review

break it off," Eliza murmu

fully. "It'll be quiet. No big stateme

get involved?" she a

the person who catches feelings w

owed. "Just

like

king more permanent by the second. It was a deal

ns," she said finally,

tening,"

I won't disappear just beca

our life s

he bakery. I'll visit here when I

s reas

unt. She knows the truth

ct that,

in the eye. "We end this the moment it stops feeling

id nothing. Then he

r life. A pretend engagement. A monthly allowance. Appearances and dinners an

you don't have to do this. If y

"Why would

ess like the billionaire in the papers and

ld something from nothing," he said quiet

t for show. It was real. Someth

er bag. "One word," she

with a hand that tre

ned beside hers. His signatu

"Now we're offic

n I'm allowed to yell at yo

if you do it beh

m. Eliza folded the agreement ca

and silent, sliding through the city. Eliza stared out the window, the build

enly. "Do you ever fee

at her. "

retending. The ca

Smiling for people I don't like. Signing deals I didn't c

ow. "Because I'm no

e you don't fake it. Y

ade he

tated before getting out. Something in h

door, Grayson lo

li

ked bac

k," he said. "Just

d slowly.

as rolling dough o

asked, not

a said. "We signe

ally looked

eaned against the counter. "It's... a lo

r a long second. Then s

The elegant engagement ring sat on the nightstand. She touched it gently. It sparkled even in the dark. This was