And then—completely unhelpfully—another image:
Callum McGregor.
In a kilt.
…Okay. Maybe Scotland hassomeappeal.
And really—am I in any position to say no?
I take a deep breath.
“Alright. Set up the meeting. But I’m not promising anything.”
“That’s all I need, darling!” Max grins. “Oh—and one more thing. Apparently, his grandmother is… formidable. The kind of woman who tests people. So be ready for a very sharp Scottish matriarch.”
I laugh despite myself.
“Perfect. A contract husband and a manipulative grandmother. What could possibly go wrong?”
“This could be the beginning of a great love story,” he says with a wink.
“Don’t push it, Max. I’m already considering an arranged marriage—don’t add fairy tales to the mix.”
As I leave his office, I can’t help thinking about the movies Savannah and I watched last night.
In rom-coms, the heroine always goes through chaos before she gets her happy ending.
Maybe this arranged marriage is my chaos.
The disaster before everything finally works out.
Or maybe it’s just another terrible decision in an already catastrophic week.
Either way…
It’s definitely more interesting than staying in Los Angeles watching my career crumble while the media feasts on it.
Standing in front of the elevator, I glance down at the photo of Callum McGregor I accidentally pocketed.
I study his serious expression… those sharp blue eyes.
Then I murmur under my breath,
“Well, Mr. McGregor… let’s see if you’re as intimidating in person as you are in this picture.”
A small smile tugs at my lips.
“Hope you like washed-up American actresses who talk too much… and have an irrational fear of sheep.”
CHAPTER 4
CALLUM
I hate Los Angeles.
Everything about it feels fake—from the plastic smiles to the palm trees that look like they were planted strictly for Instagram. Even the sun feels excessive, as if it’s trying to compensate for a lack of substance by shining too brightly. A lot like the people here, who pump themselves full of fillers and implants just to look more appealing.
I check my watch for the fifth time in ten minutes. She’s late. Of course she’s late. What self-respecting Hollywood actress would show up on time to a meeting—especially one that could determine the future of a multi-generational family business?
