Page 57 of Married to Lies

I smiled at him and then looked over at Quentin as he got in. Divian fell silent, pulling the car out of the drive. Was there a no-talking rule or something?

Quentin reached to the cup carrier in between the front two seats. “Dirty chai?”

“My favorite,” I said, reaching for it. How many men had I been out with who forgot my drink order or even what I said seconds after it slipped out my mouth? “Thank you,” I said, gratefully. “I’m sure I’m going to need the caffeine for wedding planning.”

He nodded like he agreed. We had five days until “I do” and a million decisions to make. I was already toying around a green color scheme. Jada would look so good in a green dress, if she agreed to be my maid of honor. We hadn’t exactly left things on the best terms though.

Guilt swirled through my gut. After talking with Quentin last night, I realized how keeping secrets had become my default, but so much was in the open now between Jada and me. I didn’t want to lose our friendship just because we didn’t know how to act perfectly when dealing with such a strange circumstance.

I dug my phone out of my purse and sent a text to Jada.

Rei: Do you have time to talk tonight? I can come over.

Jada: Bryce says I should get out of the house. Can we go out to supper?

Rei: Let’s do it.

I sent her another text with a restaurant I knew she’d love and then tucked my phone away. My stomach knotted with nerves because I had so much to tell her, but I tried to focus my attention on Quentin instead.

“Can we talk?” I mouthed, then dipped my head toward Divi.

Quentin held up a finger, then got out his phone. He opened his notes app and tapped out a message. He can’t know it’s fake.

“Ah...” I reached for his hand, half an excuse to examine his jewelry, half a ploy to make our relationship seem real. George always told me how guys at the agencies talked. “What type of groom are you planning to be?” I asked. “The kind who lets the woman decide everything?”

Quentin looked at our hands, the path of my fingers twisting the rings on his large fingers. “I’m the kind of groom who wants to make you happy.”

Butterflies lifted in my stomach. I glanced up at him to check and found nothing but the truth in his depthless brown eyes. It seemed I could look into the pools forever and still find more to discover.

“What would make you happy?” he asked.

I twisted my lips to the side, then held up his hand to show the golden watch at the end of his sleeve. “A Rolex should do,” I teased.

“Done,” he said seriously. He got out his phone and started texting.

“No, I didn’t mean⁠—”

But the car stopped, and Divian rushed to open the door for me. I stepped out and thanked him, looking around. We were at a high-end shopping district with elite brand names on storefronts all around us.

We stood in front of a jewelry store, and my eyes zoomed into the display of shimmering jewelry in the window like they had been magnetized.

Quentin joined me on the sidewalk, saying, “I thought we should start with the ring.”

My gaze stayed on the display, taking in the stunning accessories. “You’re a smart man.”

His lips twitched, pleased.

I started toward the front door, but he caught my elbow, leaning in close to whisper, “You should know, when we leave here, our secret will be out. The owner of the Diamonds and MyHome CFO shopping for a wedding ring with you will make the news, whether we want it to or not.”

My throat felt dry. “Really?” I asked, voice cracking. I still hadn’t told Jada or my parents. In fact, I had no idea how I’d break the news to my family, but a news article surely couldn’t be the best option. Not to mention, he’d told me we’d be in danger as soon as word of our engagement got out.

I turned away from the jewelry case and met his worried gaze. “Maybe we should have a jeweler come to us... to protect our safety.”

A disappointed expression took over his features, but he quickly recovered to his typical impassive expression. “I understand.”

We turned and walked back to the car. Divian looked confused, but he held the door open for me regardless. With all of us back inside, Divi asked, “Where to next, sir?”

“Elsie Adams's office,” Quentin said, and the car took off.