Page 72 of The Contract Marriage

Liam

By the time we pull into the driveway, it’s a little after 6:30. The last dying light of the sun hits the Pacific, turning the water a scintillating copper. I surreptitiously check the text from Frederich that arrived during our drive.

–Frederich: All ready. Enjoy!

“Why is the house so dark?” Olivia asks. Normally the smart system turns a few lights on automatically at six thirty.

“I’m not sure,” I say, trying for an innocent tone. “Let’s go inside and see.” I take her hand, and we walk in together.

Countless tea candles all around the house flicker in the soft sea breeze like twilight fairies. The air smells of fresh flowers and a hint of brine.

Olivia gasps. “This is gorgeous.” She stares up at me, the candles casting a soft glow on her face. “What’s the occasion?”

I shrug, smiling at her reaction. The light sparkling in her eyes is more beautiful than the candle flames.

I lead her to the table set up on the terrace over the ocean. A lone pink camellia sits in the center, and two plates of food are laid out—Frederich’s special fish and iceberg wedges—and a bottle of chilled Meursault, and a bread basket and butter on small plates.

“You’re not going to tell me what the occasion is?” she asks.

“Nope. Just enjoy the food and really think about what today could be about,” I say, pulling out a chair.

She frowns, taking the seat. “Can’t be the day we met.”

“That’s right; it’s not. Have a bite of halibut before it gets cold.” Butter-poached halibut with Meyer lemon beurre blanc is one of Frederich’s top recipes. He only makes it when we beg—or bribe—him.

She takes a careful bite, watching me pour the white Burgundy. “It isn’t your birthday, is it?”

I almost spill the wine. “No!” I run a hand over my face. “How’s the fish?”

“Very good. But you’re killing me with curiosity.”

“Eat your fish and think harder.” I stick a fork into my fish, watching her trying to puzzle it out.

She purses her mouth, then starts sipping the wine.

“More?” I gesture to the glass after a few moments.

“Yes, I need my thinking wine.”

I laugh. “Nothing lubricates the brain like alcohol.”

“It’s good alcohol.” She takes another bite of the fish, then snaps her fingers. “This is the day you knew Kingswood Stones & Designs was going to become huge?”

I shake my head. “No. Not even close!”

“You have to give me a hint!”

“It involves somebody really dear to me.” There!

She frowns. “Your best friend did something?”

I sigh. “No, it’s not about my friends.”

“One of your brothers?”

I shake my head.

“Well then, I don’t know.”