y and my stomach doing flips. I was about to meet my potential contractual hu

in, I almost ch

Liam Pa

am Pat

y, "Nexus," before he was thirty. His face had been on the cover of business magazines. I' d even watched a guest lecture

as my bl

t his perfectly tailored suit. His features were clean-cut and sharp, and he h

id, his voice low and even. It was the same voice I remembered from the lectu

ng to keep my jaw from dropping. "What i

usly single. He could have anyone he wanted. Why would he need to be set up? And more importantly,

t through me. "My family is pressuring me to get married," he said s

d. "A so

started to backtrack. "Look, I think there's been a misunderstanding. My friend m

is tone unchanging. "I'

fi

t film director. In need of financial stability and personal space. Dislikes

int of judgment, like he was reading a stock rep

will provide you with a generous monthly allowance, a house, and complete freedom. We will live separate lives. I am often out of the country for work. We will mai

proposal. It was cold, impersonal, and absolutely perfect. The financial security would allow me to focus

y face. This was better than

chair, trying to match his cool

. It was more money than I had ever dream

tation. I held out my hand. "It's a pleasu

rip was firm and warm.

l, modern house that was technically "our" home, but it felt more like mine. Liam was almost never there. He wa

ferred your

e next two weeks. Let me

e dinner next month. Ar

ngement. I had my freedom, my financial security, and a husband wh

I th