Page 87 of Temporary Vows

He’s not wrong. I should have told him. He was being annoying as fuck, but he was helping. “Time got away from me.”

He frowns and tsks. “But you’d already asked her long before you saw me. Considering I was the one lining up potentials for you, you could have shared your plans.”

“And risk you ruining it?” I raise my brows.

His shoulders slump, and he gives me a deadpan stare. “Me? Ruin your plans. When has that ever happened?”

My gaze snaps back to him, and I blink several times, waiting for his memories to return. I don’t have time to remind him about the countless plans his interference has ruined.

He groans and holds his hands up. “Alright, yes, there may have been the odd occasion. But I wouldn’t have messed with you this time. I’m actually happy for you. Things worked out perfectly, even though I still think she’s way too clean-cut for you.”

“Sheistoo clean-cut for me. But she’ll do.”

I’ve set the boundaries.

Separate lives. Elodie is little more than a housemate to me, and it will stay that way.

That’s why I shut her down when she wanted to talk likenormalpeople. She needed to understand that we aren’t normal. So, asking me how my day was wasn’t going to fly.

That said, I should have just indulged in a polite conversation like a normal person because I hadn’t stopped thinking about what she would have said to me.

It doesn’t matter. I did the right thing.

“She’ll more than do. She’ll clean up your rep good and proper, once people get past wondering how a sweet girl like her ended up with a Gruffalo like you.”

“Oh, thanks.” I don’t bother hiding the sarcasm.

“Don’t mention it.” He plays along, chuckling as he stirs sugar into his coffee. “So, we’re planning a wedding? Need help?”

“No, I got it covered. I just have to focus on building our love story in the meantime.”

“I’ll keep on top of that with PR. We still need to be mindful of the mole.”

“Thanks. And yes, we do need to be mindful. Until we find out who it is, this person could come for any of us. I don’twant that to happen, or for them to infiltrate and make me look worse.”

“Let’s hope neither of those things happen.” He gives me a reassuring grin. “That aside, the bigger picture is looking real good. In a year’s time, the Vale brothers will be running the entire empire. And my God, do I have some next-level plans for us.”

I smile at that. It’s always good to have the endgame in mind. I have plans for us, too. The best thing about my brothers and me is that we each have our talents that make us second to none, but collectively, we’re unstoppable. I see big things for us.

My father put theGlobalin the company name. He and his brothers took the foundation of an already established legacy and turned it into the renowned company it is today. We can do so much more.

For now, though, I need to focus on the path to get there. That starts with my marriage to Elodie. And yes, I have faith that she’ll clean up my reputation good and proper.

“I look forward to the future.” I smile.

“So do I,” a toxic voice rumbles from behind me, menace laced through every word.

Levi and I both turn to find Parker standing in the doorway.

He walks in with that easy grace I hate, his hands in his pockets, his jacket slung over his shoulder.

“Not going to wish me good morning?” He looks between Levi and me, grinning from ear to ear as if he finds something funny.

“Not really,” I answer. Most people would shy away from answering him, but I’m not most people.

“I hear congratulations are in order.” He fixes his gaze on me.

“Don’t tell me you’re here to congratulate me. That would be very unbecoming of you.”