With that, she stands, adjusts her leather jacket, and heads for the door, her heels striking the floor in sharp, decisive beats.
I watch her leave, caught between irritation and something far more unexpected.
Jane Carter is nothing like I anticipated—sharp, sarcastic, and clearly on guard. But she’s also intelligent and perceptive, which might be exactly what I need for this plan to work.
Or exactly what will make it collapse.
My phone buzzes again. Keira.
Pain in the ass
Well? Verdict? I want everything—wedding theme, ring size, ALL OF IT!
I glance once more at the door Jane just walked through before typing my reply.
She’s… interesting. I’ll tell you later.
A considerable understatement.
Because one thing is certain—these next twelve months with Jane Carter will be anything but dull.
They will be a disaster. Most likely… a spectacular one. And I am one signature away from stepping straight into it.
CHAPTER 5
JANE
I stare at the contract lying on the table in front of me like it might strike at any second.
There are no visible fangs, but twenty-seven pages of clauses and subclauses are more than enough to make my head spin. Who knew a fake marriage would require more paperwork than a real one?
“So?” Callum asks, his Scottish accent making that single word far too appealing for my own good.
A man who looks like that should not be allowed to have that voice. It’s like handing a flamethrower to an arsonist.
“I’m reading,” I reply without looking up. “That’s what people usually do before signing a contract that legally binds them to a stranger for a year.”
“We met yesterday. Technically, I’m no longer a stranger.”
I finally lift my gaze to meet his icy blue eyes.
“Oh really? What’s my middle name?”
He opens his mouth… then closes it again.
“Exactly.”
“Elizabeth,” he says after a beat.
I hide my surprise behind a sip of my latte.
Impressive.
“You did your homework.”
“Always. I assume you did yours as well?”
“Callum Keir McGregor. Born October fifteenth, nineteen ninety-three, in Edinburgh. Graduated with honors from St Andrews in economics and business management. Fan of single malt whisky and collector of vintage vinyl. Your favorite album isRumoursby Fleetwood Mac—which is surprisingly sentimental for someone so… you.”
