Page 44 of When Love Takes Over
“I like you, too, Kenzo, so I’m down to treat this like a friends with benefits situation, meaning no feelings can be involved. Ican’t risk falling in love with you, and you turn out to be an asshole. It wouldn’t end well because I’d do everything in my power to make you regret it.”
I raised my brow at her threat, but she didn’t back down from my gaze. The server brought our drinks and appetizers, and I waited until he left before I responded.
“I’m not perfect, and I’m sure I’ll make mistakes.”
“We both will, but if we keep our feelings out of this, the mistakes we make won’t feel so bad. I also won’t put up with any mental, physical, or emotional abuse, and even though we’re technically just friends, don’t cheat on me or just be downright disrespectful. The public doesn’t know about our agreement, so I can’t have you out here making a fool of me.”
“I don’t subscribe to any type of abuse, but I’ve been known to entertain multiple women at once.”
“Are you prepared to end those relationships for the duration of our marriage?” she asked.
“I haven’t been in a committed relationship since my early twenties, but I’m willing to try.”
“You better do more than try. If I?—”
“Kenzo? I thought that was you.”
We looked up at the person who had interrupted our conversation.
“Callie, what’s up?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level.
“Not too much. Who’s your friend?”
“This is Malyah. Malyah, this is Callie.”
Callie briefly looked at Malyah with an unwelcoming expression, then returned her attention to me.
“Kenzo, I’ve been calling and texting you. Why aren’t you answering or responding to me?”
I looked at Malyah, who looked very uncomfortable, and . . . if I wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
“I’ve been busy,” was all I said in response to Callie, with my eyes still on Malyah.
“Too busy for me and all of this? That’s unusual.”
Callie put one hand on her hip and used the other to wave over her body in an exaggerated manner as she spoke.
“Callie—”
“Would you mind leaving me and myfiancéalone? We’re trying to enjoy our dinner,” Malyah interjected politely, holding her left hand in the air and moving her ring finger around so that Callie would see it.
“Fiancé? He’syourfiancé?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were hard of hearing. Is your hair covering your hearing aid?”
“What? I don’t have a hearing aid, but?—”
“Then maybe you should go home and clean out your ears. Myfiancéand I are trying to enjoy our dinner. Get the fuck on.”
“Kenzo, you’re letting her talk to me like that?” Callie questioned, obviously stunned by Malyah’s words.
I hadn’t taken my eyes off my fiancée since she interrupted me. Nothing about this moment was funny, but the corner of my lips hinted at a smile when Malyah’s eyes caught mine.
“You heard what my fiancée said. Have a good night,” I told Callie while still focused on my soon-to-be wife.
“Are you kidding me? Since when are you engaged? We were just together last?—”
“And that was the last time. Leave now and lose his number,” Malyah said.
