Chapter 322

**Sara**

I paced around my living room, alternating between glaring at my phone and the clock on the wall. The ticking seemed extra loud today, mocking my punctuality.
My phone buzzed.
Charles: Here. Get down now.
"Oh, NOW he shows up?" I grabbed my purse and did a quick mental checklist: "Keys, wallet, phone, dignity... well, three out of four isn't bad."
I locked my apartment door, giving it an extra jiggle just to be sure. The last thing I needed was Charles blowing up my phone about being late when he'd kept me waiting.
My heels clicked against the floor as I marched toward the elevator, and I mumbled under my breath about my hypocritical brothers and their selective time management.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal an empty car. I stepped in, jabbing the lobby button with more force than necessary. My phone buzzed again.
Charles: ???
"Yes, yes, I'm coming," I grumbled at my screen, typing back a quick 'On my way down.'
The elevator hummed downward, and I used the mirrored walls to check my appearance. Hair? Presentable. Lipstick? Not on my teeth. Outfit? Mom-approved.
The doors opened again, and Daniel stepped in, looking refreshed and casual in his off-duty clothes. I was secretly relieved Sophia wasn't with him—while I adored her company, I wasn't ready for her inevitable barrage of questions about Tom. The fewer people who knew about our evolving situation, the better.
"Sara! Haven't seen you around lately." He flashed that easy smile that probably had half his patients falling in love with him.
"Got a new job," I said, returning his smile. "Been pretty much living at the office these days. You know how it goes - new girl has to prove herself and all that."
"Ah, the joys of being the fresh meat. Where are you working?"
"Westbridge Capital."
Daniel's eyebrows shot up. "That's impressive. You landed that right after finishing your MBA?"
"What can I say? Pure luck and raw talent. Mostly talent. Like, ninety percent talent, ten percent luck. Maybe five percent luck. Did I mention I'm talented?"
He laughed, shaking his head. "And so humble, too."
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to the lobby's marble floors. I stepped out, my heels clicking against the polished surface.
"How's Sophia doing?" I asked, adjusting my purse strap.
"She's great as always," Daniel grinned, checking his phone. "Actually, she was just talking about you. She's planning to have you over for dinner soon."
"Oh?" I shifted my weight, already seeing Charles's impatient face in my mind.
"Why don't you join us tonight? Sophia's making her famous lasagna. The one with the three different cheeses that makes everyone forget their diets exist."
My stomach betrayed me with a small growl at the mention of Sophia's cooking. The last time I'd tasted her lasagna, I'd seriously considered proposing marriage - to the food, not to Sophia.
"That's cruel, tempting me with the legendary lasagna." I pouted. "But I've got family dinner tonight. Mr brother, Charles is probably having an aneurysm in the car right now because I'm thirty seconds late."
"Next weekend, then?" Daniel held the lobby door open for me. "Sophia won't take no for an answer forever. You know how persistent she gets."
I laughed. "Tell her I'm all hers next weekend. I'll even bring wine to make up for abandoning the lasagna tonight."
"Sure thing." Daniel waved as I spotted Charles's car. "Have fun with the family!"
I hurried toward the car, already seeing Charles's exaggerated eye roll through the windshield. The man had kept me waiting for twenty minutes, but heaven forbid I spend thirty seconds chatting with a friend.
Brothers. They can't live with them and can't legally ship them to Antarctica.
I reached for the passenger door handle, but Charles's voice stopped me.
"Back seat."
I froze, hand hovering mid-air. "What?"
"You heard me. Back seat."
I peered through the window at the empty passenger seat, then back at my brother's smug face. "But this seat is empty."
"Melissa will sit here."
"Oh!" I clasped my hands together in mock excitement. "Your imaginary girlfriend is joining us? How wonderful! Should I pretend to shake her hand, or will that mess up her invisible makeup?"
Charles's face reddened as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. "I dropped her at the bakery around the corner. She's picking up something special for Mom and Dad."
"Oh, how convenient. The invisible girlfriend needs to buy invisible presents."
"Just get in the back seat," he growled.
I slid into the back, making myself comfortable. "So how much are you paying her? Union rates for actresses must be pretty high these days. Does she charge extra for family dinners?"
"Sara, I swear-"
"No, no, I get it." I leaned forward between the seats. "Method acting takes time. She's probably researching her role right now. 'Girl Actually Willing to Date Charles Parker' - it's a challenging part."
"She's not a paid actress!" His knuckles went white on the wheel. "She's the same Melissa you've met multiple times at family dinners. The one who brought that casserole you wouldn't stop talking about last year. The woman I'm going to marry!"
"Marry?" I gasped dramatically. "You mean you're actually going to sign a long-term contract? That must be expensive."
"I'm serious, Sara. Don't say any of this in front of her."
"Of course not," I patted his shoulder. "Wouldn't want to hurt the feelings of your totally real, definitely not imaginary girlfriend. That would be cruel."
"Why do I even bother?" Charles muttered, pulling away from the curb. "You've literally had dinner with her. Multiple times."
"Have I?" I pressed a finger to my lips. "Or was that just a very convincing hologram?"
"For the last time, Sara, Melissa is real. You've met the same person at every family dinner. The one who makes those chocolate chip cookies you inhale like they're air." Charles's grip on the steering wheel loosened slightly. "You'll see her again in about two minutes, so please behave."
"Fine, fine, I'll be on my best behavior."
Charles's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, "Who was that guy you were talking to? The one in the lobby?"
"What, are you spying on me now?" I leaned forward between the seats. "Planning a second career as a private investigator?"
"Just answer the question, Sara."
"Oooh, getting all protective big brother, are we?" I poked his shoulder. "That was Daniel. He lives in my building."
"Daniel?" Charles's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "And what does Daniel do?"
"He saves lives and fights crime." I paused for dramatic effect. "Sometimes simultaneously."
"Sara."
"He's a doctor, Charles. Just a friend who happens to live in my building. And before you start planning the wedding, he's committed to Sophia."
"Committed?" Charles relaxed visibly. "You sure about that?"
The Professor's Temptation
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