Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Violet,” Anya says softly, drawing my gaze back to her. Her bright green eyes meet mine, but there’s a flicker of uncertainty there. “I don’t really understand why you guys would do this, but I have to believe there’s at least a little bit of attraction or feelings involved, right?”
Her hopeful tone makes my chest tighten. I force a small smile, shaking my head. “No,” I say gently, trying to let her down easy. “There are no feelings involved. Callum has literally saved my life, and I’m unbelievably grateful for that, but this is just... complicated.” I swallow hard, trying to find the right words. “It’s all just going to take some getting used to—for everyone.”
“Saved your life?” Anya’s brows knit together, confusion etched on her face.
I take a deep breath, knowing I can’t dodge the truth any longer. “If I didn’t get married by the time I turned thirty, I’d lose the ranch,” I admit quietly, the weight of those words heavier than ever.
Her eyes widen, shock washing over her face as she processes what I’ve said. “Wow,” she whispers, shaking her head like she can’t quite believe it. “So... you guys got married to save your ranch?” Her voice is soft, almost reverent, but I can see the gears turning in her mind. “Callum put someone else before himself. He put someone else before the brewery.”
She grabs my shoulders, her face lighting up with excitement. “Violet, this is huge for him! Do you understand? He must have a thing for you. This isn’t just some business arrangement for him. There’s no way.”
I blink at her, completely taken aback by the intensity in her voice, by the hopeful gleam in her eyes. It’s like having the same conversation I had with Millie all over again, only this time, it feels even more overwhelming. I sigh softly, shaking my head.
“No,” I say, trying to stay patient, even though my heart’s pounding in my chest. “He just understands what it’s like to love what you do more than anything else. That’s all this is. A marriage on paper to keep the lawyers off my back and the ranch in my name. Nothing more.”
Anya’s expression falters, and I feel a pang of guilt twist in my chest. I’m not sure why I feel the need to apologize, but I do. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, unsure of what else to say.
Anya stares at me for a moment, and I can see the disappointment in her eyes, like I’ve crushed some romantic fantasy she was clinging to. She lets go of my shoulders and forces a smile. “I just want the best for both of you,” she says softly. “I really do.”
“I know,” I reply, wishing I could believe there was something more to this too. But this isn’t a romance novel, no matter how much everyone around me seems to want it to be.
"Well, if it isn’t the groom," Anya says, her voice light and teasing as she looks behind me.
Before I can turn around, I feel the warmth of Callum’s presence close to my back. His familiar cologne, earthy with a hint of spice, wraps around me, immediately soothing my frazzled nerves. The sensation catches me off guard. Why do I feel so... calm all of a sudden? It's confusing.
“Anya, I hope you’ve been nice,” Callum says, his tone sharp enough to make me wonder if he's used to his sister pushing boundaries.
Anya laughs and stands, completely unfazed by his tone. “I’m always nice,” she retorts, her eyes flicking between the two of us with a mischievous gleam. “I support this, by the way. You two should totally have a party to celebrate.”
“No, that’s not necessary,” I rush out, my voice more panicked than I intend. The last thing I need is the entire town buzzing about this fake marriage and throwing us some sort of reception.
Anya looks like she's about to argue, but Callum cuts her off. “Anya, get back to work.”
I glance back at him, a little surprised by the sudden sternness in his voice. It’s a tone I haven’t heard from him before, and I can’t help but think back to all the rumors I’ve heard about Callum being a no-nonsense businessman. So, this is the grumpy Callum everyone talks about. I steal a peek at Anya, but she doesn’t seem bothered at all. If anything, she looks entertained by her brother's sharp words.
“Fine, but this isn’t over,” Anya says with a sly smile. She pulls me into a quick hug, and I awkwardly return it. “We’re going to be such good friends,” she adds, her voice sing-songs as she saunters away.
“Goodbye, Anya,” Callum hisses under his breath, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.
She giggles as she walks off, disappearing behind the bar without a care in the world. Callum exhales loudly before sinking into the seat she just vacated. The gruffness in his expression softens as his eyes meet mine, the tension melting away.