Page 65 of The Contract Marriage

I shudder. “Ugh. No. I’d have to burn the bed and fumigate the entire house, then have Jeremiah sue the security team for its failure.”

Olivia grins. “Seriously?”

Although she’s smiling now, the hint of grief in her eyes earlier was all too real. “Why would I want her when I have you? I’d have to be blind and stupid.”

She nods slowly. “Okay. I’m just a little…surprised.”

“Why? You actually think I’d go for her?” I ask in shock, thinking back on our time together. I haven’t ever given Olivia a reason to believe that, have I?

“It’s just that your parents are in an open marriage, so I thought you might be…” She shrugs. “You know, a little, um, freer in your love.”

“That’s them, and I’m me. I don’t want an open marriage. And fair warning: I’m going to be a super jealous husband if I find you with another man.”

“Will I be—?” She draws a finger across her neck, her eyes comically wide.

I mock-frown, playing along. “No. I’ll just lock you away forever.” After I murder the son of a bitch.

“Hmm. Might be bearable. If you join me with Frederich’s cooking.” She winks.

“That goes without saying.”

The waiter returns to clear the table. Then he places langoustine with some foam on top along with two new glasses of wine. “Langoustine, seared to perfection in brown butter and topped with bisque whipped into a light foam and finger lime, paired with the chef’s choice of Château-Grillet. Enjoy.”

Olivia watches him leave with amusement. “He could’ve had a career as a herald in some medieval court.”

“Born in the wrong age.” This time I pick up a piece of the shellfish and feed it to her. “You taste first.”

Giggling, she takes it, then immediately covers her face.

“That bad?”

She shakes her head, waving at me to go ahead.

I bite into it. Holy cow. Silas makes some amazing seafood, but this is stellar. “Damn.”

“Right?” she says, lifting her flushed face.

I smile, then for some reason remember the pesky event from the morning. She’s so happy. Should I tell her about Hugh’s visit? But what if he tries to go to her next, whether to intimidate her about having children or to complain about that minor tap I gave his jaw? I’ve been a little irritated that I didn’t hit him harder. He should’ve at least lost a tooth.

“What is it? You look really serious all of a sudden.” Olivia frowns. “Don’t tell me you just remembered you have a shrimp allergy.”

“Ah…no.” I sigh. Please don’t let this ruin the evening. “I was just thinking about Hugh. He came to my office this morning.”

She goes still for a moment, then bites her lip. “I’m sorry he interrupted your day.”

“Don’t worry, I got rid of him. He was just annoyed he couldn’t get through the security at home, and whatever.”

“How did he even find out where you live?”

“Where we live. And it isn’t exactly a secret.”

“True,” she says. “Should we get a couple of large, extra-mean Rottweilers?”

I laugh. “No. Not necessary. I just wanted you to be aware—in case he decides to barge into your office. He was loud. Obnoxious. The type to say stuff he shouldn’t to get what he wants.”

“What did he say to you?” she asks, her eyebrows pinching.

“Some crap about how you’re using me, nothing more.” I rub the furrowed spot gently. “Just a bunch of desperate bullshit.” Tell me he was wrong—that your feelings have been changing.