Page 150 of My Husband Problem

Astrid is the best distraction from everything.

“So glad I stayed in town.” This comes from Maggie Collins, who has risen from one of the tables across the room and approached our little group.

“Same.” Scott Stevens is right behind her.

Fantastic. The media is still in town.

I don’t know what this is about, but ifthey’reexcited about it, I can already say,fuck.

“Shall we take this outside?” I ask, directing the question to Iris, who clearly knows it all and is perhaps the best person to decide how to handle whatever this is.

“Everyone here already knows all about it,” Maggie says. “Your grandfather made the statement hours ago. Everyone here has read or watched it, and Nora and Alex have been unable to deny it.”

Nora looks extremely uncomfortable right now. “I’m a terrible liar,” she says almost apologetically.

Alex rests a hand on the back of her neck. “No one’s asking you to lie, Wildflower,” he says. He pins me with a look. “Right? We wouldn’t put Nora in the position of lying to everyone she knows and loves.”

I frown. “Of course not.”

“So you confirm that you and Astrid are actually in an arranged marriage? Just a marriage of convenience? And that it was never real?”

Fuuuuuck.

“Why would you ask me that?” I ask Maggie. Then I glance at Iris and Miles.

Miles has moved closer to Astrid, who looks very pale suddenly. Iris just shakes her head.

“Because that’s what your grandfather said,” Maggie says.

“Would you like to read it? Or watch the video?” Scott holds out his phone.

“Highlights,” I say tightly to Iris.

Iris shoots a glare at the two reporters. “None ofthisis on the record.” She looks pointedly at Scott’s phone.

He puts his hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine.” He tucks his phone in his pocket.

Iris holds out her hand. “No way. You could still be recording.”

Scott sighs and hands his phone over. Iris inspects it. Then puts it inherpockets. She also holds her hand out to Maggie. Maggie surrenders her phone as well.

“And the little recorder,” Iris says.

Maggie gives the recording device up as well.

Then Iris looks at Astrid and me. “Diarmuid saw you and Astrid interviewed last night before the game.” She frowns at Scott. “The stuffherecorded. You looked tense and upset.”

Astrid and I had just come down from her office. After the attempt at sex that hadn’t worked. Weweretense and upset.

“Then he saw the game,” Iris continues. “He said it was all completely out of character for you.”

Fair enough. No one has ever seen me do anything like that.

But I’ve never been in love before.

Or played bonkers hockey before.

“He said it was a clear message to him that you are not, and never will, take any of this seriously and you are both, obviously, unhappy.”