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“…if it helps get your sister back… why not?”

My hands shake as I use the old blush pad on my cheeks, making it impossible to look remotely good. Not that I care what any of these guys think, but I don’t want to draw any attention from Luke tonight.

“Dammit.”

I pull the pad away, flexing my fingers, trying to steady my hand, but it does nothing.

“Get your shit together, Savannah,” I chastise myself sharply.

My mind is spinning; my thoughts tangled in knots I can’t seem to untie. Questions pile on top of each other, each one more overwhelming than the last.

What am I even waiting for? Some kind of divine intervention?

I doubt that’s going to happen in the grimy dressing room at Behind Closed Doors .

Marry Cade.

The statement repeats in my head, as ridiculous as it is. The idea is absurd. Impossible. Completely unthinkable.

And yet… My gaze flicks to my bag, to the large purple ring pop inside—the one I couldn’t bring myself to throw away because it means something to me.

I should be laughing at the entire proposition.

I am laughing, shaking my head at how utterly insane it is. I can’t marry Cade. I can’t .

We hardly know each other. I only just accepted living with him a day ago, marrying him would be an entirely new level of crazy, but then if it’s such an insane offer and I know I’m going to say no, why am I sitting here still thinking about it?

Because of Adley.

That’s why. Cade has a point. Why wouldn’t an adoption agency think I’m the perfect candidate to look after her after they see me in such domestic bliss? About to get married to a handsome, successful man. No worries about rent… food always in the fridge… A room with insulated walls.

Cade has a stable life and a good job lined up. He has everything the courts would want to see, but what would that make us?

We kissed. I roll my eyes at my own thoughts because we didn’t just kiss.

We kissed. On the countertop. With his hands gripping my waist, his body pressed against mine, and his lips owning me in a way no one ever has.

If we weren’t interrupted, I was ready to let Cade do whatever the hell he wanted with me in that moment, and I still am.

His hands. His lips. The way he looks at me.

I’ve never felt this way about a guy before, but does that mean I’m ready to call him my husband?

We’ve been on one date with Chloe as an accidental chaperone, yet I already can’t stop thinking about him, and if I’m brutally honest with myself, I don’t want to. He’s perfect. Everything I’ve ever wanted. I know I’d be happy with him. How could I not?

It’s just the idea of it sounds crazy. So crazy that it just might work.

My phone buzzes beside me, and I smile when I see Adley’s name.

Adley: Sorry our catch-up was cut short today, but I loved seeing you, Sav. You look happy, and I can’t wait to hear more about Cade.

Cade. My chest tightens because how the hell would I explain to her that he’s her future brother-in-law if I agreed to this?

Ugh. Things just got really weird.

The door swings open, and another girl, Verity, strolls in and drops her things onto the vanity beside me.

I quickly busy myself with my makeup, pretending to blend out the uneven foundation.

Better to focus on that than to accidentally blurt out that I might be engaged and I don’t know what to do about it.

Fiancé… Husband…

The words alone are enough to send my pulse racing.

The only other time I ever thought about marriage was when I made a pact with Jeremy in the group home.

If we were both single when he turned 40, we’d get married.

It was never intended to be a love match, it was out of necessity.

Survival because if we were still alone at 40, then we’d need each other.

It was never serious, though. Most certainly not as serious a prospect as the one Cade’s offering.

Love and my sister. Really? Did I deserve that?

How would it work with Luke? I don’t want to owe him forever. Would this be a chance for something better?

A chance at maybe forever?

I shake my head, trying to calm those thoughts. Forever? I’m really thinking about forever with Cade? He’s a committed guy. I see it in the way he plays hockey, in the way he keeps showing up for me even when I try to push him away, but forever? Would he want that?

I hope so because I think I do…

I’m going to do it.

Shit.

Did I just think that?

Yes.

I don’t just need to do this. I want to. I want to marry Cade.

I like him a lot, and even though we haven’t known each other long enough to call it love, there’s something there. All I have to do is think back to kissing him on the counter, and it’s undeniable at this point.

The chemistry has been there from the start. It’s been hiding beneath every conversation, every touch, and every single time he’s looked at me like I matter.

Like I’m his .

Without waiting, I pull out my phone, my heart pounding in my chest as I start typing a message to Cade.

Savannah: Ye...

“Savannah.” The second Luke says my name, a chill slithers up my spine. Why does he have to ruin every single good moment for me?

I drop my phone into my bag, leaving the message unsent to Cade, and try to busy myself with something else.

Only, my hands are too shaky to do anything.

Then I force myself to turn and look into Luke’s beady little eyes.

What more could he want? I’m already dancing every hour on the hour tonight as per his request.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Yes, Luke?”

Verity skitters out of the room; probably thankful she’s gone unnoticed because Luke is only focused on me. He steps forward so he’s right behind my chair and curls his fingers along the top as if staking his claim on me. The move makes my flesh crawl. I’m not his. I don’t want to be.

I turn to the mirror, uneasy about how close he’s getting. The pungent scent of his cologne hits me hard, and his presence is so overwhelming it’s nearly suffocating.

“You’ve been doing a great job tonight,” he purrs, his voice smooth. I detect a hint of challenge in his tone as if he’s daring me to stop him from pushing further.

“Thanks,” I reply, my voice tight as I work hard to keep my expression neutral.

I feel his fingers flex across the back of the chair, and then he leans in, his mouth hovering right next to my ear. I hold my breath.

Don’t flinch. Don’t show weakness.

“I’ve been thinking,” Luke drawls, his voice deceptively casual as he tightens his grip on the back of my chair. There they are the dreaded words. I’ve been thinking. What’s he going to force me to do now? “I know you’re scheduled for another four dances tonight, but I don’t want you on stage.”

His words hit me slowly, and I stare at him through the reflection.

“No more dancing?” My voice is weaker than I intend, and my shoulders slump involuntarily.

Luke notices immediately, his eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction, and a slow, smug smile spreads across his face. He enjoys this—seeing me lose control and being vulnerable.

I quickly drop my gaze, pulling the elastic from my hair as I let it fall loosely around my shoulders to distract myself. If I pretend I’m busy and don’t care, maybe he won’t see how rattled I am.

“What are you doing?” he asks, amusement clear in his voice as he leans even closer, filling my lungs with that nauseating cologne.

“I’m getting ready to go behind the bar,” I reply, trying to sound confident, even though my stomach is knotted tightly, and my pulse is racing.

“Behind the bar?” He snorts, mockery thick in his voice, and I drop my hands in resignation. Luke isn’t my friend; he never was. He wants something else, and there are only a few options to what it is.

“You’re not working behind the bar tonight, sweetheart.”

My entire body stiffens, my heartbeat speeding up painfully. I dread asking the question I already know the answer to. “Okay… then what exactly am I doing?”

He pushes himself off the chair, stepping closer, deliberately pressing his hips forward. My gaze is involuntarily drawn to his crotch, to the clear outline beneath his jeans, and nausea rises in my throat.

“I’ve got something more important in mind for you.” His voice drops into a suggestive growl as his hand slides down to rest near the button of his jeans.

My breath catches and panic bubbles beneath my skin. I always knew this day would come, the day he would ask me for this, but I didn’t expect it yet, and certainly not in a place where anyone could walk in.

I swallow hard, fighting back the urge to vomit as I wait, dreading whatever he’s about to force me to do. Refusing is my only option, but I can’t bear to think what my punishment is going to be.

“I need you behind Door Number One tonight.”

My gaze snaps to his, shock and betrayal stealing the breath from my lungs.

Shit . I don’t know what’s worse, having to fight off Luke’s advances or be forced to accept some random guys.

“Behind one of the doors?” My voice cracks, panic rising in my throat. “But you said I’d never have to do that.” He promised I’d never have to go behind one of those doors, and he’s taken that away from me too.

Luke shrugs, unfazed by my anguish. “I know. I know, but it’s only this one time,” he promises casually, as if that makes it better. I almost want to believe him, but I’ve heard it all before from him.

Only one time on stage.

Only one extra dance a night.

More. More. More.

My stomach twists with dread. I can’t do this. I can’t give myself to some stranger, especially when the only man I want is Cade. “I’m not sure.”

He studies me for a second, almost as if he’s trying to see if I’m serious, then lets out an obnoxious laugh. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but you have no choice.” I can hear the thinly veiled threat in his voice. “The guy requested you specifically.”

“ Me ?” I choke out, my voice faint. “Why would he want me? I can’t even dance.”