After signing the check, Alexander stood and pulled out my chair. His hand found the small of my back as we navigated through the restaurant, and I was acutely aware of the warmth of his touch through the thin fabric of my dress.
Outside, the valet promptly brought Alexander’s car around. The cool night air was a refreshing change from the restaurant’s warmth, and I took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of night–blooming jasmine from nearby planters.
“Successful evening?” Alexander asked as we settled into the car.
“Very. I think we showed whoever was watching that we’re completely unbothered by their petty gossip.”
“And we ate extremely well in the process.”
“A win–win situation.”
As we drove through the quiet streets of Beverly Hills, I found myself reflecting on the day, from the triumph of securing the Thompson Hotels account to the unexpected confrontation with Penelope and the nasty gossip article.
“Alexander?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you for handling the legal side of things today. With the article, I mean.”
He glanced over. “No need to thank me. It’s what any husband would do.”
The word “husband” still felt strange to hear, even after our weeks together. Strange, but not unpleasant.
had to deal with public gossip
said, echoing his earlier words.
Something to look
get used to it. And for what it’s
“I did?”
poised, professional, and you didn’t take any
dump my coffee
you didn’t is exactly
whir. Alexander parked in his usual spot and turned off the engine, but neither of us moved to get out immediately. “You know,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence, “this whole marriage thing isn’t as
turned to me, one eyebrow raised. “High praise
be. I had
glad I’ve exceeded your very
said, “I thought this would be awkward and uncomfortable, but it’s been… I don’t
awful. I’ll add that to
swatted his arm playfully. “You know what
do,” he admitted, his expression softening. “And for what it’s worth, I
the dim light of the garage. There was something intimate about the moment, not sexual, exactly,
should head inside.
purse. “I’m exhausted. Who knew fighting off gossip columnists and evil exes
my world.” Alexander climbed out of the car and came around to open my
stepped out, my heels clicking on the concrete floor. “More
we entered, the house was quiet, most of the staff having retired for the evening. Alexander flicked on the lights as we moved through the
nightcap?” he asked, heading toward the bar in
might start drunk–texting Victoria
laughed. “Now that I’d pay
heels with a sigh of
Alexander called after me as I padded down the hallway toward our
morning. I flicked on the bedside lamp, casting a warm glow across the king–sized bed. The sight of it was
I mumbled
staring at the ceiling. The events of the day replayed in my mind: securing the Thompson Hotels account, the confrontation with Penelope, those nasty gossip articles. Despite the victory, I
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