He shakes his head. "No. Are you serious about your dream or not?"

"Of course I am," I assert.

He leans closer. "Okay, then I'm only going to ask you one more time. How would you like to start your cupcake bakery in the New Year?"

"This upcoming year? As in a few months?" I ask.

"Yes."

"That's not possible," I reply, adding up the little money I have in my bank account.

"Where's Little Miss Sunshine's optimism gone?" he challenges.

I glare at him. "Stop calling me that."

"Why? You are, aren't you?" he retorts.

"Just because I choose to—"

"Look, we're getting off topic here. Do you want your bakery or not? If there were no obstacles in the way, is that what you'd do?" he interrogates.

I don't hesitate. "Of course I would."

He studies me for several moments.

I confess, "You're making me nervous."

"Don't be," he orders.

I stay silent, my pulse racing faster with every passing second.

He finally drops the bomb. "Marry me until January 2nd, and I'll give you enough money to open your bakery."

Four

SEBASTIAN

A Few Hours Earlier

So far, my Thanksgiving week has been super productive. I got a ton of work done yesterday since no one was in the office. The only thing I can complain about is that I had a moment of weakness.

Since it was Thanksgiving, nothing was open. I didn't think about food before I left. I figured I had some meals in the fridge at work.

I was wrong and paid for my mistake.

When lunchtime rolled around, I hadn't eaten since breakfast and was starving. Georgia left her cupcakes in the breakroom. Those damn turkey cupcakes were inside a glass-covered cake plate, tormenting me.

I didn't eat only one. I binged four of them before I left for the night, cursing myself every time I polished one off.

I had underestimated Georgia's cupcakes. They weren't good. They were amazing.

And addictive.

It only made me more annoyed. The last thing I needed was a cupcake obsession.

When I got home, I spent two hours in the gym. I still felt guilty. It took me years to create my strict regime so I could eliminate the excess weight of my childhood. And I'm going to be CEO of Cartwright Enterprises. Come January 2nd, I'll be the face of the corporation. I can't have cupcake rolls. I can imagine all the fun the gossips would have with that.

Pissed at myself, I went to bed and got up at three a.m. to burn off some more calories, still feeling guilty about my binge. At five, I went into the office.

For hours, I've been working. I hit send on an important email regarding a contract I need to close immediately and my phone dings. I glance at the screen and groan.

Mom: Here's somebody I think you should meet. Her name's Carolina. She's a lovely girl.