Page 103 of Perfect Satisfaction

Imagine my shock when it’s Angie who is desperately trying to cover a smile. Carys merely wings a brow. “What are you going to do with your new found knowledge?”

Get the coconut pudding imported by the gross if the way Sula devoured it with a beaming smile is any indication of how much she enjoyed it. But to Carys, I say mildly, “Tell my people to work harder. I don’t like being scooped.”

The women exchange that same look. It’s the expression every male on the planet should be terrified of being on the receiving end. It’s the expression that explicitly indicates we’ve said or done something wrong but it’s up to us to figure out what it is.

Shit.

“Anything else I need to know about, Angie?” Carys inquires.

“Not a thing.”

“Then follow me, Mr. Ronan. Angie, if you’ll text me when David gets in after dropping Ben off, I’d appreciate it.”

I cross in front of Carys before following her into her personal office. It’s the first time I’ve been in the luxurious surroundings and like a kid in a candy store, I want to look around. That’s when I recall the name from the foyer and ask, “Ben?”

“Our son.” She lets out a frustrated sigh. “I would consider it a personal favor if you didn’t use his name in your column, Mr. Ronan.”

I spot a photo of the happy family on the credenza and lift it up. I study the unsullied happiness in the child, who is laughing with his mother and father in a leaf pile. “He’s an adorable child.”

“He’s absolutely in love with Sula.” Her words cause me to whip my head in her direction. Her gaze is steady on me. “It took two seconds after they met before Ben crawled into her lap.”

“How long did it take her to fall right back?”

“Half that time. She was remarkable with him.”

I place the picture down and ask point blank, “Why are you telling me this?”

She lifts a folder resting on her desk. “This is a post-nuptial agreement.”

“A what?” I choke.

“Sula received a sizable inheritance from her mother—oh, nothing close to what you’re torturing her for, but she invested it in something with a long-term payout. I want your reassurance you won’t go after it.”

Acid churns in my gut, making the breakfast Sula brought back earlier want to come up. “You do or she does?”

“Me.”

“Does she know you’re doing this?”

“We talked about it once, but I never told her I’d move ahead without her. I don’t want her hurt any more than she will be when you walk out on her again.”

“WhenIwalk out onher?” Shoving my hands through my hair, I stand at the very window I was able to see Sula through that long ago evening.

“She may have physically left first, but who left whom emotionally?” Carys accuses.

Her words slam into me with the force of bullets. “I...”

Carys drops the file. “If you’re not ready to sign today, I understand. Why don’t you think about it for a few days?”

I take the out she’s handing me like a lifeline. “Yeah. I’ll...” My voice fades off.

“Make an appointment?” She completes my sentence.

“That.” I turn and head toward the door. When I reach it, I hear her phone buzz—likely the notification her husband arrived after dropping off their son. Laying my head against the frame, I promise, “Your son’s name won’t be shared by StellaNova, Carys. I wouldn’t use a child like that.”

“I wish I could believe you, but...”

“But?”