The Cherished Wife

Chapter 75

With a mutual understanding in place, Noelle headed off to bed, her mind at ease. Charles, left alone, watched her leave and felt his carefully controlled emotions begin to bubble up again. He was not Mr. Perfect, but he had bent over backward for Noelle time and again.

His phone suddenly rang, displaying Peter’s number. Charles was caught off–guard. “What’s going on?” Peter, hearing Charles’s voice, could not resist a smirk. “Just a friendly call to pass the long night.”

Peter’s voice, edged with a challenge, buzzed through the phone, and Charles squinted his eyes, a hint of suspicion flickering through them. “Did Sean spill the beans?” That had to be it. Peter was not the type to ring up in the dead of night without a good reason.

Peter’s tone dropped. “I didn’t picture you tying the knot with her. Are you sure about this?”

“Of course I’m sure,” Charles replied, rising from his chair. His long fingers swept across the desk, tapping it assuredly. “I know what I’m doing.”

“If you say so,” Peter conceded. He was not one to poke his nose into others‘ business. “So, when do we get to meet her?” He was genuinely intrigued by the woman who had gotten Charles to pop the question. He was not a gossip hound like Sean, but he was definitely keen on meeting this lady. It’s been ages since we caught up with Steven Fischer too!”

less interested in meeting Noelle and more into luring Steven

slight squint. “Let’s play it by ear.” It was obvious Noelle was not ready for the big

Sean said? Are you tossing and turning all alone tonight?”

were both sharp as tacks, they often found themselves in a friendly rivalry. Peter, the master of snark, always played by his own rules, while Charles, the more grounded one,

hearing Peter’s words, Charles

to me one of these days. Anyway, it’s late and time for

squinted into the night, surprised at how fast Sean’s gossip had traveled. Shaking his head, he pocketed his phone, lit a

was nearly eight. She

solving her problems, or maybe Charles’s bed was magic. As she drifted off, she had caught the faintest whiff of lime and

apron–clad Charles emerging from the kitchen with a steaming pot. He saw her too and nodded toward the dining room. “You’re awake?