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

pointed at me triumphantly. “He’s totally stalking

protested. “LA is a big city, but the social circles we move in are pretty small. Of course, we’re going

drink arrived, a pale pink concoction garnished with a sprig of lavender. I took a grateful sip, the light floral notes mixing perfectly with the

saying,” Emilia continued, “is that if he shows up here tonight, we can officially call it

going to show up here,” I said confidently. “And if he did, it would definitely be a huge

the subject. How’s married life

how blissful things

the hottest CEO in Los Angeles and all we get is ‘really

drink. “That I’m living the dream? That

“That’s exactly what we want to hear. Give us all the

Marriage is incredible. Alexander is incredible.” I couldn’t help the smile

eyebrow. “Did you expect him

ruthless in the boardroom. But at home, he notices everything. Last week, I mentioned wanting to try this obscure French pastry I read about in a magazine. The next morning, there was a box of them waiting for me

that’s officially adorable,”

perfect,” Claire said, taking a

He’s stubborn, works ridiculous hours, and can be frustratingly overprotective.

found someone who treats you right after everything that happened with

up straighter, suddenly remembering my news. “Actually, I have some news. I’m going to Europe with Alexander

pairs of

gasped. “Like, the

Europe in Nebraska,” Emilia deadpanned. “Of

their reactions. “London, Paris, and Milan.

not a trip, that’s a

know,” I admitted. “I

the occasion?” Claire

has business meetings, but he

looked skeptical. “No special reason?

shrugged. “He travels a lot for work, and this time he doesn’t want

in, her expression serious, “do you have any idea how many women would kill to

aware of my good fortune,” I