The CEO's Contractual Wife

The bell dinged as we entered. Inside, fluorescent lights buzzed over checkerboard floors and red vinyl. booths. A tired–looking waitress named Dottie, according to her name tag, barely looked up from wiping down the counter.

“Sit anywhere,” she called out.

I led Alexander to a booth by the window, sliding onto the vinyl seat. He sat across from me, looking so out of place in his perfect suit that I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

“What?” he asked, noticing my expression.

“Nothing. You just look like you’re afraid to touch anything.”

“I’m being cautious,” he countered, picking up a laminated menu with two fingers.

Dottie shuffled over, order pad in hand. “What can I get ya?”

“Double cheeseburger with bacon, extra pickles, fries, and a chocolate shake,” I said without hesitation.

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “I’ll have the same.”

When Dottie left, he leaned forward. “How did you decide so quickly?”

“There’s only one rule at a place like this: order the thing that’ll clog your arteries fastest.” I spread my arms. “Welcome to how the other half lives, Mr. Carter.”

“I’m not that sheltered,” he protested.

“Oh, really? When’s the last time you ate something that came in a paper wrapper?”

“Tuesday. I had a protein bar between meetings.”

I rolled my eyes. “That doesn’t count. I’m talking real junk food. The kind that makes your cardiologist cry.”

“Then it’s been a while,” he admitted. “My schedule doesn’t allow for many culinary adventures.”

“That’s sad. Everyone needs a good greasy burger once in a while.”

Our shakes arrived in tall glasses topped with whipped cream and cherries. I took a long sip, closing my eyes in appreciation.

“Good?” Alexander asked, watching me.

“Heaven. Try yours.”

his eyes

by its sticky tabletops,” I said sagely, stealing his cherry. His eyes tracked my movement as

golden fries spilling over the edges. Alexander stared at his

I need utensils for

laughed. “No! Just pick it up and embrace the

a smear of ketchup at the corner of his mouth. I reached across without thinking, wiping

I said, suddenly aware of

his eyes holding mine for a

focusing on my burger.

he admitted, taking another

usually am.” I popped a fry into my mouth. “It’s one of my best

he murmured, making

of the diner creating a bubble around us. It felt strangely normal, sitting here with Alexander Carter eating burgers, despite the absurdity of our

you

“Of course.”

what would have happened if we

his hands on a napkin.

“And?”

think our paths would have crossed eventually. Maybe not in the same

“You really believe that?”

nodded. “Some connections seem

but his words warmed something in

be

Carter Enterprises, just climbing the ladder

have risen quickly regardless,” Alexander said with surprising conviction. “Your

say, but let’s be realistic. The corporate world isn’t

But genuine talent usually finds a

I sipped my shake. “What

where I was. Working too much.” His mouth curved into

Alexander,” I mockingly pouted. “Forced to

leaned forward. “Most people want something from me. It gets tedious figuring out

my

eyes sparkled. “That’s what makes you different, Olivia. I’m still trying to figure that

fries.” I reached across and stole one