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Savannah’s words hit me in my chest because I know they’re lies. Caroline isn’t just trying to get to my money. She works hard for what she’s got and she’s proud of that. There is so much I don’t know, but what I do know is that she has the kindest heart of anyone I’ve ever met in my life.
The car stops outside Caroline’s apartment and I jump out. I rush inside and wave to the doorman before I hop on the elevator and hit her floor. Thank god she didn’t tell him not to let me in. I have a feeling if she kicks me out now, I’m not going to get lucky a second time, so I pray that I can convince her to hear me out.
I get to her door and I take a breath before I knock. As soon as my knuckles connect with the wood, the door is jerked open and Gia is rushing out into the hall. I look over her shoulder and see Caroline sitting on the couch with Elvis.
“Caroline, listen to me. It’s not what you think.”
“You’re an asshole and a liar,” Gia says as she gets closer to me. She’s flailing her arms as she yells. I don’t want her to hit me and I’m not going to lay a hand on her. But I need to get her to stop screaming so that Caroline can hear me. So I yell something I know will get both of their attentions.
“I’m married, but I’ve never had sex with her,” I blurt out, and Gia stops. I can’t bring myself to say “with my wife” because while we might legally be married, she isn’t my wife.
“What?” Her eyebrows pull together in confusion and Caroline stands up from the sofa to look at me.
“I’ve never had sex with anyone actually.” I should be embarrassed, but if this is what it takes to get her to listen to me, then I’ll do it. “Savannah is a family friend that I agreed to marry because of her father. I’ve never touched her. It’s a marriage in name only.” I tell her the truth. All the reasons I agreed to marry her to begin with aren’t sitting as well with me as they once had.
“She sure as hell didn’t act that way,” Gia says as she crosses her arms, not backing down.
Caroline has moved closer to the door and I try to keep talking.
“Her father was there right beside us. She has to put on a show of being the jealous wife because that’s what he expects. I’m not going to say she isn’t a little rough when you first meet her, but she means well.” She does. She has so much bottled up inside of her she is about to burst. She doesn’t know how to deal with it and, to be honest, I don’t know how to tell her to deal with it. I know we still both struggle with my sister’s death. It’s the icing on the cake of our show of a marriage.
“Rough? Is that the word we’re using?” Gia looks at me like I’m stupid.
I glance back up to Caroline and keep my eyes locked on her. “She’s my friend and I won’t talk bad about her. She’s had a tough life and she’s protective of me. But I swear to you that I’m not doing this behind her back. I’m not in love with her. I’ve never felt anything for her like what I feel with you.” I stare into her beautiful eyes, wanting her to see the truth.
I watch her wipe away a tear and I feel like a complete piece of shit for causing those tears. I need her to understand that I’m serious about her and what we could have together. I just need to figure out how to get her on my side.
“Let me prove it to you, Caroline. I can take you home and introduce you to her and we can explain. But I swear, on my honor, that what I feel for you is real.”
“Why would you do all that?” Gia asks, looking down her nose at me. “Why would you agree to marry someone you didn’t love?”
“Because he’s a good guy,” Caroline says as she steps out into the hallway. “I’ll take it from here, Gia. Just give me a second.”
Her friend looks like she doesn’t want to walk away, but after a moment she finally gives in. She steps inside, and when she doesn’t close the door, Caroline reaches in and pulls it shut, leaving us alone out in the hallway.
“I told you I wouldn’t cross the threshold,” I say, trying to make her smile.
When I see the edges of her lips pull up my heart relaxes by a degree.
“Yeah, it’s all going according to plan,” she says, and I sigh.
