Page 63 of Bargaining

Bastard. My heart pounded as I stepped back into the suite. Cool air and a hint of Charlotte’s floral perfume offered welcome relief. She didn’t turn around when I walked back in.

“Are you mad at me?”

“Nope.” She gave me an overbright smile. “You’re right. Work comes first. It’s in the contract.”

She propped a wide-brimmed white hat on her head and grabbed her sunglasses. She looked like a Roman goddess in that yellow sundress, like she’d been born from sea-foam and had temples built for her and cults worshipping at her feet. What would it be like to spend a day in Rome with her? Hot and overcrowded, probably, but wouldn’t it be worth it to watch her face when she peered up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling for the first time? Maybe I could go with her. Would she even want that?

I opened my mouth, but the words wedged in my throat. My father’s voice played in my head.Speak up, you stuttering idiot.Charlotte grabbed her handbag and slipped it onto her shoulder.

“Was there something else, Cole?”

Her expectant gaze made my heart pound. My phone buzzed in my pocket. Lucas again. What now? The office had probably burned down while he was photocopying his arse.

“No. I have to take this call.” I turned my back on her. “Have a nice day.”

In the suite, I video-called Lucas. “How many people are in this sweepstake speculating how long my marriage lasts?”

Lucas tapped his beard gently. “Ten or eleven?”

“You fuckers. Who?”

“I’m not a snitch. We can’t help it. No one saw you as the marrying kind, and your wife is just so ... nice. And you’re ...” He smothered a smile. “You know ... you’reyou. Reuben gave you the best odds. He thinks you’re going to go all the way. Till death do you part.”

Fuck Reuben. He’d probably be the one sending me to my grave.

Lucas chuckled darkly. “Look, I’m sorry. We’re just kidding around. Everyone can see how perfect you are for each other. We all see the way you look at each other. You two are the real deal. It’s very sweet. Everyone is very impressed. The shareholders have piped down. This was the right move.”

Fuck. Were we actually managing to pull this off?“We look sweet to you?”

“Yes. I wish my wife had looked at me the way yours does. You’re lucky. We’re all happy for you, honestly. Enjoy your honeymoon. Stop thinking about work and have fun.” He waved a chiding finger. “And under no circumstances buy any luxury hotels until we think of a way to soften up the shareholders. You’ve made them happy with your new image. Don’t immediately fuck it up.

“The kids are asking after you. You should come over when you get home. Bring your wife.” He smirked. “That’s if she hasn’t already divorced you before the flight home. But please don’t let that happen, because then Olive wins the bet.”

“Olive?”

“Your PA’s assistant. You still haven’t learned your assistants’ names?”

Even my assistants were in on it. My teeth gritted with irritation. “You expect me to remember the names of the assistants to my assistant?”

“Yes.”

“You all need to get a life,” I said, hanging up the phone.And I’ll buy a fucking hotel if I want to.

I glanced up from my laptop to watch the sunset over the piazza outside. It was late, and Charlotte wasn’t back yet. I couldn’t get Lucas’s words out of my head.

I wish my wife had looked at me the way yours does.

It gave me a tense feeling inside. How? How had Charlotte looked at me at the wedding? Whatever goodwill she’d had then had evaporated on this honeymoon. Now, I was something to be endured.

I fired off a text to Charlotte.Where are you?

It took at least five minutes before she replied.The contract doesn’t specify a need for me to share my minute-by-minute location with you.

My jaw ticked.Then I’ll get it amended. Where are you?

The bar. It’s a vibe tonight. A lot of good-looking Italians down here.

You’re a married woman.