The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 184

Olivia

I thought about this, considering how to answer. “He’s more relaxed. Funnier. Still commanding and intense, but in a different way. Sometimes he likes to be barefoot.” I smiled at this small detail I’d come to find endearing.

“Barefoot?” Ariana repeated. “I can’t even picture it. Alexander Carter without those Italian leather shoes?”

“It humanizes him,” I explained. “Makes him real.”

“And what about his family? How are they treating you?” Claire asked.

I took another sip of my drink before answering. “His grandfather, Harold, is actually pretty sweet to me. Victoria is… well, Victoria.”

“Still a bitch?” Emilia asked bluntly.

“She’s not thrilled that I’m the new Mrs. Carter.”

“Screw her,” Ariana declared. “You won the prize, not her.”

“It’s not a competition,” I reminded her, though in many ways, it was exactly that. “Anyway, enough about me. What’s new with you guys? Claire, how’s your job?”

As Claire launched into a story about her latest workplace drama, I felt my phone buzz in my purse. Discreetly checking it under the table, I saw a text from Alexander.

Alexander: How’s girls‘ night?

I smiled and quickly typed a response.

Me: Girls are grilling me about married life and our Europe trip.

came seconds

shopping in

my lip to

They might actually

Good. Coming home

or so. Save me some

save you something better than

heat rise to my cheeks at

voice broke through my thoughts. “Who are you texting that’s making

my

with a grin. “It’s Alexander, isn’t it? Can’t even make it through a girls‘ night without checking

when I’d be home,”

when

nothing like Ryan,”

god for that,” Emilia muttered. “Otherwise I’d have

the best for me. “Seriously, though, marriage is good. It’s busy, but good. The Thompson Hotels account is taking off, and

family drama?” Ariana prompted. “Any juicy stories

exciting,” I lied. “Just

stuff,” Emilia repeated skeptically. “Among

change everything,” I

replied. “Seriously, though. Are you happy? Really

took a moment to consider my answer, not just for them but

expected for my life, but

face dramatically. “Our little Olivia, all grown up and madly in

even during the early days with Ryan when things were supposedly so blissful and new.”

drink. “It’s different with Alexander. More

now Europe,” Claire sighed dreamily. “God,

ass off at the office. I’m not

staff, and the chauffeur when you don’t want

admitted with a laugh. “But I’m still the same person. I just happen to

to Alexander Carter.” Ariana sighed

cocktail. “Is he picking you up tonight, or

soon.” I checked my watch, surprised to see how late