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Too bad,so sad,he doesn’t want to marry one of Sorcha’s approved women.

“You need Marie and Camilo’s phone numbers?” I say finally, tired of wasting time.

“Who?”

“Auric and Elita’s assistants.”

“Nooooo. That would be silly.”No wonder the best you can be is the help, her tone says. “I’d like an appointment with Rhys.”

So you can rub yourself all over him like a bitch in heat?Just the idea makes me want to vomit. “He wasn’t even born when she was dancing.” My tone drips with faux sweetness.

“Just do your job, and let me be the judge of whether or not I need him.”

“Myjobis to manage his schedule and keep it free of unnecessary distractions. And right now, it says he’s too busy for you.”

“Don’t be obnoxious.” Based on the seething in her voice, she barely stopped herself before addingbitchor something similar.

“Listen, Selena. You’re only calling me because you can’t reach Rhys directly. So why not cut the attitude?”

“What are you implying?” She bristles. “I’ve been strictly professional.”

“Not based on your behavior outside of Danica’s.”

“Oh my— Are youjealous? We share a history.” Her voice grows provocative. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Amateur, I sneer inwardly. Lily might be a crass home wrecker, but her taunts were far superior to Selena’s. “Nor do I want to. Regardless, he’s busy unless you can make him billions. Buh-bye.” I hang up. There goes my good mood. Rhys swore he and she were over, and I tend to believe it because I’ve never seen him get re-entangled with a woman he broke up with. But that doesn’t mean she’s willing to slink away and stay low. An ex doesn’t come back after fourteen years for no reason.

I get up and swiftly march into Rhys’s office. He’s at his desk, reviewing another due diligence, most likely. He lifts his head, a smile splitting his face.

Without a preamble, I say, “Your ex just called. If she wants to see you, you’re too busy.”

The grin falters. He blinks at me once, slowly. “I am?”

“That’s what I told her. I didn’t like the way she asked. Besides, she ‘claims’ she wants to talk to you about Sorcha, but I don’t buy it. What can you tell her about your grandmother anyway?”

“I dunno. Maybe how devastated Grandmother was when she learned I couldn’t dance ballet…?” He shrugs.

Somehow, this makes me laugh. “Did she make you wear leotards when you were little?”

His face scrunches. “Ugh. Don’t even.”

I cock my head. She totally did.Cute. “Anyway, you’ve been warned.”

“Fine.” He grows serious, his eyes meeting mine unflinchingly. “I won’t meet her without your okay. You won’t have any reason to be upset. Scout’s honor.”

Nodding, I return to my desk. Some time passes, I do a bit of work, and the initial annoyance wears off. Then:

Did I overreact?

Our relationship isn’t even real—it has a firm expiration date. But I’m reacting like I have some permanent claim to him.

My thoughts and emotions jumble together. I pick up my phone and text Ailee.

–Me: Hey, I need an objective opinion. Tell me if I screwed up:

I quickly lay out what happened with Selena’s call, without letting her know about thefake-dating part. That’s a secret between me and Rhys, not something I can unilaterally decide to share, even with my best friend. Plus, until the final day comes, part of me wants to pretend it’s real.

–Ailee: Wait, you already got yourself a new boyfriend, and it’s Rhys Kingswood??? I thought you hated your boss?