He continues, “Don’t you already have one that you barely ever use? Just draft a transfer agreement. You won’t even need to hire a lawyer.”
“She alreadyhasa lawyer.”
“Who? Bryce?”
I wish. “No. Ethan Beckman.”
Hux nods with approval. “Yeah, well. He’s not bad if you’re going to hire somebody outside of the family.”
I shoot him a death glare. “Whose side are you on?”
He spreads his hands again. “Side? What side? Look, just figure out what she wants and give it to her. Easy. You’reoverthinking this, and that won’t help you figure out why she’s upset with you in the first place. Harvard Law was great at teaching logic, but there’s no logic to love.”
Is what I’m feeling, love?My heart beats funny—too fast and too irregular. Not to mention my chest feels uncomfortable and tight. My mind won’t focus, either, constantly distracted by thoughts of my wife.
I don’t like it. But I can’t imagine getting rid of the disruptive emotions, either. Somehow, they feel more vital than the air in my lungs.
A hint of regret fleets over Huxley. “If your mother hadn’t messed you up so bad, you might be doing better. More experience.”
I don’t think experience is the problem. It’s more a fear of being out of control—being so off balance when I’m with Lareina. Her smile makes me warm and her sweet words are a balm to my battered soul. When she told me my eyes were nothing like my mother’s, I thought my heart would burst. When she twines herself around me at night in sleep, I want to pull her closer and hold her tighter, rather than push her away with a shudder like I used to with my exes.
I love it that being with her feels natural and wonderful. But sometimes I feel like it’s a sandcastle about to crumble. Especially when she keeps me at arm’s length without a discernible reason. Or when she acts like another woman claiming ownership over me doesn’t bother her at all. She’d show more possessiveness over her old underwear than me.
Still, I take Huxley’s advice to heart. Despite a rocky beginning with his wife, right now they’re very happy together. Almost disturbingly so.
So I drop by Sebastian Jewelry and select a set of stunning sapphires, since Lareina seems to be partial to them. I get stones that match my eye color—she likes them, and I want her to bereminded of me often. I want to occupy her mind the way she occupies mine.
Should I just pamper her with money? Would that work?
She reacted favorably when I talked about going to Thailand. I should take her there and show her the stunning beaches, feed her delicious food and pamper her with hour-long massages. It’s beautiful all year around, so all I have to do is find some free time.
I flip through my calendar. Twenty days in mid-October. Should be perfect. I send a quick note to HR.
Still, it seems too far away. People need something more immediate to feel appreciated.
The art auction! Bryce and Josh mentioned it during our poker game. That’s the ticket. It’s in a week or so, and Lareina will appreciate it. Akiko told me before that those things usually have an exhibition for committed buyers, so they can examine the works up close before the actual bidding starts. I should take my wife and see if there’s anything that interests her.
I text Akiko—she’s really into art collecting and will know everything there is to know about the exhibition. I want to plan it well so all Lareina has to do is show up and buy what she likes.
On Friday, Ethan Beckman finally delivers the very belated prenup to my office. “Took you a while,” I say.
He gives me a bland smile. “Her assets are extensive.”
“Or maybe you’re just a slothful lawyer. You didn’t have to waste your time hand-delivering it like some lackey, by the way.”
Instead of firing back, he says, “I had to meet with Jeremiah’s client to discuss a settlement. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bothered to come. Anyway, sign it. Or else I’ll tell my client you just want her money.”
Asshole. And stupid to boot. “Did you forget I’m worth at least two billion dollars? If anybody wants money, it’s my wife.”
Beckman lets out a condescending laugh. “Wow, two whole billion! That’s cute. But never mind, you’ll find out soon enough.” He makes a show of checking his watch. “I have to get going. Got an appointment with your wife soon. A coffee date.” He winks.
“For what?” I bristle. This asshole is spending way too much time with her. Dim sum and now a coffee date?
“To discuss financing some big purchase.”
“How big?” She has my black AmEx.
He shrugs. “Not sure yet. A hundred million? Maybe more?”
