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Sienna

" W here's your shadow today?" Blossom glances from the vase of flowers she's arranging, her boyfriend Chance by her side. "I didn't think he would let you go anywhere without him by your side."

"He had something better to do today." I shrug, not wanting Blossom and Chance to see my disappointment. Besides, it's not as if he can continue spending every day with me.

I know he's a lumberjack, but in the last eight weeks that I've known him, he's never left my side during the day. He can't work the night shift, or he'd never sleep. A horrible thought hits me.

What if he lost his job because he was with me instead of working? What if he's been spending all his savings on me?

It's time for me to go back to reality. I can't ruin Wyatt's life, too. Hopefully, it's not too late for him to get his job back once I leave town.

My burner phone rings, causing me to jump. I slow down my breathing before excusing myself to the back room to answer the call, knowing it's my sister Selena, since she's the only one who has the number.

"Hey, Selena. What's up?"

"Things are getting bad with Mom and Dad. They're furious you haven't returned yet." The urgency in Selena's voice helps me make up my mind. If I return to my former life, I'm going to have one amazing night with Wyatt tonight. "It's gotten so bad—they're considering having me take your place as Artie's fiancée."

"You know I'd never let that happen. I'll return home on Monday."

Home.

The word feels like ash in my mouth. The Senator's mansion has never felt like home. It's more like a museum. Selena and I were never allowed to play anywhere other than in our bedrooms. Running through the halls was strictly forbidden.

"No, you don't have to. I ran away. I'm staying in a cabin not far from the town where you're living. I was thinking that once this all blows over, we can live together in our own bachelorette apartment, just as we always talked about.

Selena is my Irish twin—only eleven months separate us. At twenty-two, she graduated from college last spring with a degree in communication. She has been working as an online influencer to the disappointment of our parents. My accounting degree seems like a waste, considering that most political wives don't work outside the home unless they run their own charities.

"Did anyone follow you?" The thought of our parents or Artie ruining my little piece of heaven shakes me to my core.

"You insult me. You should know me better than that by now." She lets out a disgruntled snort.

Selena and I are nothing alike. She's outgoing, pushing the boundaries with our parents. Living close enough to the edge to cause them stress, but far enough inside our world to know her place. But that has never stopped her from orchestrating some of the best escapes from the boring parties we had to attend with our parents over the years.

"Sorry, Selena."

"It's okay. But the sooner we get this settled, the sooner I can get away from this bossy mountain man."

"Wait? What are you talking about? What mountain man?"

"I rented a cute cabin in the mountains, and this bossy mountain man is claiming it's his cabin and I'm trespassing. He threatened to pick me up, throw me over his shoulder, and carry me outside if I didn't leave on my own. Can you believe that? He even said he would have me arrested for squatting on his property." I stifle a laugh. I think my little sister has finally found her match. "At least he's giving me time to put some clothes on before he tries to kick me out."

"Wait a minute, why are you naked? Did he do anything to you?"

My concern for my sister is replaced by relief when I hear her mumble into the phone, "I wish."

"Okay, so tell me why he thinks you're a squatter and why you are naked." I settle into one of the breakroom chairs, feeling lighter than I have since Wyatt left me on my own today.

"It's a long story. Best told in person." She sighs. "Let's just say I was hot and tired after the long drive to the cabin. I took a shower, and when I stepped out of the bathroom and walked into the bedroom, a sexy stranger was holding my underwear."

"You're right. I definitely need to see your face as you explain how you ended up it that mess."

"You and me both. I still think he's the squatter."

"Did he look like a squatter?" I can't help but ask, imagining the shock on both of their faces—him at her nakedness, and her with her panties in his hand.

"I don't know. I didn't see much beyond his handsome face and muscular body."

"What about your underwear in his hand? It seems like you didn't miss that." I laugh into the phone. "Which ones were they?"

"We're done with the conversation." She huffs into the phone. "I'll call you later, when I've straightened out this mess. And by the way, it was my lace white thong. Love you. Bye." she says, ending the call before I can comment on her choice of underwear.

I appreciate her positive attitude, but there is no way our father will let me out of this arranged marriage.

With my mind made up, I put my phone in my purse and returned to helping Blossom with our busy Friday until the clock on the wall struck 7 pm, marking the end of my workday. But instead of having Wyatt standing next to me with my coat and purse, he's standing at the door waiting to take me home.

It's fitting that with the change in our routine, tonight will be our last night together. Tomorrow I'll return to the real world and my place next to Artie.

"Are you ready to go home?"

Home.

All I can do is nod. If only it could be a real home for the two of us.