The CEO's Contractual Wife

Chapter 183

Olivia

I pushed open the door to Skyline, the rooftop bar Emilia had chosen for our girls‘ night. Floor–to–ceiling windows offered a breathtaking panorama of Los Angeles at night, city lights twinkling like fallen stars across the landscape.

“Liv! Over here!” Emilia waved enthusiastically from a corner table near the edge of the rooftop.

I made my way through the stylishly dressed crowd, already feeling more relaxed than I had at O’Malley’s. The hostess led me to our table, where Emilia, Claire, and Ariana were already sipping colorful cocktails.

“This place is amazing,” I said, sliding into the empty seat beside Emilia. “Much better than our usual haunts.”

“Right?” Claire gestured around with her martini glass. “I feel like I should be in a movie scene up here.”

A server appeared almost instantly. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’ll have whatever they’re having,” I said, nodding toward my friends‘ vibrant concoctions.

“Skyline Spritz,” Ariana informed me. “Gin, elderflower, and something magical they won’t tell us about.”

“Perfect,” I confirmed to the server, who disappeared with a professional nod.

“So,” Emilia leaned in as soon as the server was out of earshot. “Can we talk about how James Westbrook just happened to be in that parking lot exactly when you needed rescuing?”

I rolled my eyes. “Not you too.”

“Because it’s suspicious!” Emilia insisted. “Hot billionaire rival of your husband just happens to be at the right place at the right time? That doesn’t strike you as odd?”

“It was a coincidence,” I said firmly. “James was heading into O’Malley’s for a drink. He saw what was happening and stepped in. End of story.”

“Hmm.” Claire tapped her glossy nail against her glass. “Does he show up in other places you go? Maybe bump into you at coffee shops or restaurants?”

“Well, there was

pointed at me

a big city, but the social circles we move in are pretty small. Of course, we’re going to run into

a pale pink concoction garnished with a sprig of lavender. I took

“is that if he shows up here tonight, we

not going to show up here,” I said confidently. “And if he

relented, but her eyes gleamed with mischief. “Let’s change the subject. How’s married life treating you,

neck at the memory of exactly how blissful things had been since our

marry the hottest CEO in Los Angeles and all we

the dream? That I

eagerly. “That’s exactly what we want to hear. Give

is incredible. Alexander is incredible.” I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “He’s attentive and passionate

an eyebrow. “Did you expect him to

I mentioned wanting to try this obscure French pastry I read about in a magazine. The next morning, there was a

officially adorable,”

Claire said, taking a sip of

he’s far from perfect. He’s stubborn, works ridiculous hours, and can be frustratingly overprotective. But he’s

squeezed my hand. “I’m just happy you found someone who

I sat up straighter, suddenly remembering my news. “Actually, I have some

pairs of eyes

the actual continent

Europe in Nebraska,” Emilia deadpanned. “Of course, the actual

Paris, and

shit,” Ariana breathed. “That’s not a trip,

know,” I admitted. “I still

what’s the occasion?” Claire

shook my head. “Alexander has business meetings, but he wants me to come along. Said

looked skeptical. “No special reason? Just ‘hey honey, want to

lot for work,

kill to be in your position right

aware of my