Chapter 18

The next day, Sienna and Maeva were dressed and waiting at the door. Maeva had a duffle bag slung over one shoulder, all sunburnt charm and restless energy. She was heading to her boyfriend's place in the city, but she'd insisted on seeing Sienna off first.

"You didn't tell Cassian you were coming?" Maeva asked, tying up her boot.

Sienna smirked. "Nope. I want to see the look on his face when he sees you again."

"You are evil," Maeva grinned. "That's my girl."

Just then, there was a knock.

"Family car's early," Sienna muttered, opening the door—only to freeze.

Cassian Hayes stood there, perfectly tailored in dark slacks and a jacket over a t-shirt, one hand in his pocket.

"Morning," he said casually. "Change of plans. My mom asked me to pick you up myself. She said, and I quote, 'It's a family weekend. Act like it.'"

Sienna blinked. "Weekend?"

He tilted his head. "Three days. You didn't know?"

Maeva whistled from behind her. "Oh damn. The boss man himself."

Cassian looked past Sienna and saw Maeva standing there with her bag.

"You need a ride too?"

"Unless you're scared to be stuck in a car with two Caldwells."

He stepped aside. "I live dangerously."

Sienna shot her sister a warning look as they all headed down. Inside the car, Maeva wasted no time.

"So, Cassian. When exactly are you going to let my sister date again? Or are you planning to keep her as your executive furniture forever?"

"Mae," Sienna hissed.

Cassian glanced in the mirror. "She's free to look at me. No need to date anyone else."

Maeva gasped. "You are serious. My god. That's either alpha or clinical narcissism."

"Depends on the mood."

"Okay, but if you're keeping her from dating, are you at least providing sexual satisfaction? Because if not, I have notes."

"MAEVA!"

Cassian turned slightly. "Are you offering to train me, or just evaluating from afar?"

"You are bold," Maeva laughed, clearly delighted.

Sienna had gone red. "I'm going to die. This is it. I'm going to combust."

"Relax, Si. He's smiling. That's a win," Maeva whispered.

They eventually pulled up outside a charming townhouse. Maeva's boyfriend came out, waving.

Maeva leaned into the front seat, one final smirk on her lips. "Try not to break each other. Emotionally or physically. And Cassian—if you hurt her, I will know."

Cassian nodded like he'd just been handed a mission brief.

"Have fun," Maeva called, jumping out.

Sienna waved, heart still thumping, and then they were alone. The car turned onto the highway, and Cassian glanced over.

"She's fun."

"She's chaos incarnate."

"So are you. Just quieter about it."

Sienna sighed, still mortified. "I cannot believe she said that."

"I can."

And when she looked at him, he was still smirking. Like he enjoyed it. Like maybe, just maybe, he liked the idea of her being his problem to handle.

They fell into a long, oddly comfortable silence as the city gave way to wider roads and occasional green patches. Sienna relaxed slightly, her fingers laced in her lap. That was until she noticed him shifting beside her.

She glanced at him. "You're fidgeting. That's illegal in Cassian Hayes language. What's going on?"

He didn't answer right away, his jaw tightening for a beat. Finally, he sighed. "My dad invited someone."

"Someone?"

He didn't look at her. "Nicole."

Sienna blinked. "Nicole as in…"

"Nicole Everett. From our church back home. We dated four years ago. My dad always liked her. Thought she was wife material."

Sienna made a face. "Is she?"

"Not for me," he said flatly.

"So… you're uncomfortable because your dad invited your ex?"

"Yes."

Sienna raised an eyebrow. "You should've brought a girlfriend."

Cassian turned his head slowly, and she saw it the moment the lightbulb went off behind his eyes.

"No," she said instantly, panic bubbling. "Don't even think it."

He smirked, tilting slightly toward her. "Come on. It's perfect. You're already here. Everyone knows you. My mom loves you."

"Your mom knows we're not a thing."

He leaned back, casual. Too casual. "She'd love it if we were."

Sienna laughed, more nervously than she meant to. "You're insane."

"Think about it," he said. "You and me, just for the weekend. Fake couple. We keep Nicole from clinging to me, keep my dad off my back, and make Margo very happy."

"Cassian," she warned. "This is not a rom-com."

"It kind of is. And you're the hot, secretly obsessed assistant."

Her mouth dropped open. "Excuse me?"

He chuckled. "You'll be great. Just act like you tolerate me in public."

She smacked his arm. "I already do that."

He grinned, then grew a little more serious. "Look, I'll talk to Mom. She doesn't like Nicole. And she actually likes you. She'll go along with it."

Sienna slumped against the seat. "You're impossible."

"You'll need to be briefed, though," he added, eyes sparkling. "Big happy family. Overly affectionate uncles. Loud cousins. The twins might try to braid your hair. Don't be alarmed."

Sienna blinked at him. "Twins?"

"My ten-year-old twin cousins. They worship my mom. Therefore, they will worship you. And also likely prank you."

She stared at the road ahead. "I'm going to regret this."

Cassian leaned in slightly, voice low and smug. "Too late. You're already the best decision I've made all week."

She didn't answer. She couldn't. Because unfortunately, her stomach did a somersault and her heart tripped over itself, and that was definitely not part of the fake-girlfriend agreement.