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.
appreciate it. I’ve never had to deal with
as a Carter,” he said, echoing his earlier words. “It won’t be the last
to look forward
used to it. And for what it’s worth, you handled yourself brilliantly
“I did?”
and you didn’t take
my coffee
didn’t is exactly
behind us with a soft mechanical whir. Alexander parked in his usual spot and turned off the engine, but neither of
one eyebrow raised. “High
be. I
I’m glad I’ve exceeded your very
thought this would be awkward and uncomfortable, but it’s been… I don’t know. Not
awful. I’ll add that
arm playfully. “You
admitted, his expression softening. “And for what
moment, looking at each other in the dim light of the garage. There was something intimate about the moment, not sexual, exactly, but private. A quiet acknowledgment that whatever this was between us, it was evolving into something neither of us had
broke the silence first. “We should head inside. It’s been a long
knew fighting off gossip columnists
to my world.” Alexander climbed out of the car and came around to open my door. “The glamorous life of
is the word I’d use.” I stepped out, my heels clicking
retired for the evening. Alexander flicked on the lights as we
nightcap?” he asked, heading toward the bar in the corner of
Any more alcohol and I might start drunk–texting Victoria to tell her exactly what I
that I’d pay to
a sigh of
Alexander called after me as I
just the way I’d left it this morning. I flicked on the bedside lamp, casting a warm glow across the king–sized
day,” I mumbled
events of the day replayed in my mind: securing the Thompson Hotels account, the confrontation with Penelope,
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