Page 76 of Temporary Vows

I stall, and for a second, I'm sixteen again. I’m standing in the corridor of a college party I shouldn't be at, watching Dorian Vale from across the room. He’s talking to a bunch of girls who all want him.

It was Chloe who got me into that party. I left when Dorian led one of the girls upstairs. She started kissing him before theyeven made it to the top. He didn’t see me watching. And even if he had, it wouldn’t have mattered. He wouldn’t have cared.

"That’s in the past.” I keep my voice measured. “I’m not that girl anymore.”

“I thought I should check.” Skylar studies me. “You haven’t talked about that part.”

“I’m okay. There’s nothing to talk about. This is a business arrangement. I understand that.” And I have to learn to be okay with it. Whatever I felt for him back then is in the past and irrelevant now. This is about the future.

Skylar's quiet for a moment, before she says, "I can’t deny I wanted better for you. I wanted you to get the dream guy who could sweep you off your feet.”

I laugh without humor. “The only way that’s ever going to happenisin my dreams.”

Her brows knit. “Oh, Elodie. I’m sorry.”

"No. Don’t be." I reassure her. "This is a second chance for me, and so much more than I could ever ask for.” I motion around the room, and the two of us take in the luxury.

“I can’t argue with that. I feel like I’m in a hotel. A hotel in a dream.”

We both laugh. It feels good, freeing.

“I can’t believe Dorian lives here by himself.” I glance around again. This is a family home, but men like Dorian don’t buy houses for such things.

“It’s funny. I imagined him in a bachelor pad in the city.”

“Same here.”

“So, what does the timeline look like?” She sits forward, her eyes bright with excitement.

“The wedding will likely be in a few weeks’ time.”

Skylar's mouth pulls to one side. “A few weeks? That’s seriously quick.”

“Yeah. I’m still trying to get my head around that. Until then, we have to play to the public. Make the right appearances, the right stories, the right photographs. After the wedding, we have to please Dorian’s father for three months. I’m not sure which unnerves me most.”

Jeremiah Vale has always been nice to me, but he’s a stern man who rules his empire with iron fists.

"Try not to worry. I’m sure it will all be okay. You can pull off a wedding in weeks. My parents planned theirs in two.” She gives me a thumbs-up.

I forgot that little interesting fact about her parents. But I imagine it was easy for them because they were together for years before they decided to tie the knot.

“And imagine all the shopping." Skylar claps and waves her hands with excitement.

I smile. She’s trying to cheer me up. And it’s working. “I imagine there will be lots and lots of shopping.”

“I like the sound of that.” She stands and walks toward me, grabbing my hand and tugging me toward the door. "And you know what else?”

“What?”

“We’re in this amazing house in the Hamptons. Let’s go exploring. I’m dying to see what the beach looks like." She giggles.

I smile, too. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“Come on, let’s go. And just… enjoy it.”

She’s right. Just enjoy it. It’s been a long time since I was able to do anything so mundane. I can at least push my worries aside for a day. “Let’s go.”

“Yay.”