Page 39 of Making Their Vows
“I’m not feeling so great.” I press my hand to the wall, feeling faint.
“Oh.” She touches my forehead with the back of her hand. “You’re warm. Let's get you out of here. You need to lie down. God, what if he poisoned you?"
“What?” Is she talking about Blake?
“What? These things happen. Then he’d be entitled to everything of yours.” I shake my head, my mouth suddenly dry.
“Blake,” I manage to croak out, my knees feeling weak.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t come near you.” Mom grabs me as my knees buckle and the whole world turns on its head.
Chapter Twenty
BLAKE
"Iknew you were more than smitten with your wife, but seeing it with my own eyes lets me know you're beyond smitten and obsessed." Lauren laughs. "I love this for you."
"For you too," I tell her, peering over her head in the direction my wife went. How long has she been gone?
"It's been five minutes."
"Shouldn't take long."
"She's a woman. It can take us longer."
"I hate being away from her."
"You waited a long time to be with her."
I nod. I had. I'd wait forever if necessary if there was a chance she would be mine. Everything would be worth it. I thought once I had her with me I would calm down, but I haven’t.
I have only fallen more in love with my wife and the woman she has become. I'm no longer imagining what life would be like together. I'm living it. It's gone beyond what I dreamed it to be.
Seeing my parents' relationship over the years didn't give me a great viewpoint of how a marriage should work. If anything, it should have scared me away from the idea. Really, it's been an example of what I don't want. I never got to see my grandfatherwith my grandmother. I was too young to remember her clearly, but I remember the way he spoke of her and the stories he told. So I knew things could be different.
I check my watch. Lauren is right. I waited a long time, and if I've learned anything when it comes to my wife, I don't need to wait. That was the problem to begin with. Never again. That's why I excuse myself to go check on her but get stopped short.
"Isn't that—" I follow Lauren's line of sight to see Emily, my assistant. She is dressed for the event, so maybe she's here with a date, but wouldn't she have mentioned that to me? Emily knew I'd be here tonight.
"Did you?—"
"Invite her? No. I don't much care for her." Emily is making her way toward me. I see a folder in her hand. I give her the benefit of the doubt, even though I shouldn't. She could have been at an event of her own, and a work emergency popped up, and now she's tracking me down instead of calling.
"Sir, thank God I found you." She gives Lauren a tight smile. "I need to speak with you." Emily glances at Lauren again. "Privately."
"This is my lawyer. You can speak freely." Emily clutches the folder more tightly to her chest. "Out with it. I'm here to enjoy the evening with my wife."
"That's the thing." Emily steps closer, and I narrow my eyes on her. "Sir, she's not who you think."
"I have known my wife for most of my life. She is the only reason you haven't been fired, so I'd keep that in mind before you speak again," I warn her, making her cheeks flush with anger.
"She's conning you with the rest of her family," Emily hisses out. "Take a look for yourself." She shoves the folder into my chest.
"You're fired." I take the folder and toss it down onto the table. I refuse to look at it. I wouldn’t give Emily the satisfaction of thinking I would for one second doubt Truly.
A few people are pretending to not pay attention to what is happening. I don't give a shit. Watch all you want. Lauren could give less of a shit if a scene is caused. In fact, she might even encourage it, as it would generate discussion and bring attention to her charity's name.
"What?" Emily sputters. Lauren yawns. "I came here to help you. Just read it."
