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.”

sip, his

sticky tabletops,” I said sagely, stealing his cherry. His eyes tracked my movement as I popped it into my

with golden fries spilling over the edges. Alexander stared at

I need

laughed. “No! Just pick it

at the corner of his mouth. I reached across without

suddenly aware of

voice was lower, his eyes holding

cleared my throat, focusing on my burger. “So, what

admitted, taking another bite.

popped a fry into my

many,” he murmured, making me

ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the late–night emptiness of the diner creating a bubble around us. It felt strangely normal, sitting here with Alexander Carter

ask you something?” I said

“Of course.”

what would have happened if we

this, wiping his hands on a napkin.

“And?”

our paths would have crossed eventually. Maybe not in

“You really believe that?”

nodded. “Some connections

I teased, but his

do you think you’d be if we hadn’t met?”

just climbing the ladder

have risen quickly regardless,” Alexander said

of you to say, but let’s be realistic.

genuine talent

“What about you? Where would you

where I was. Working too much.” His mouth curved into a wry smile. “Probably sitting through painful dates

I mockingly pouted. “Forced to date beautiful, sophisticated

Interesting? Rarely.” He leaned forward. “Most people want something from me. It gets

my angle?”

makes you different, Olivia. I’m still trying to

I just wanted your fries.” I reached across and stole one from