Page 78 of The Contract Marriage

What?

“And because I usually don’t have time to plan anything elaborate when it’s his birthday, I just buy him a present.”

Then what was the gift-wrapped box he was holding yesterday? “Wasn’t this year different?”

She frowns at me. “No. Besides, if he had bought me something, we wouldn’t have done lunch.”

Son of a bitch! That asshole brought a fake gift just to mess with me!

She looks at me. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head and paste on a smile that probably looks rueful. “Nothing.” Okay, he got me with an empty box and some pretty wrapping. But who’s the one laughing now? I had the most incredible evening with my wife. I got to see her cry tears of joy, and we had amazing sex, and now she’s happy in my bed and in my arms. He’s probably lying around alone, cold and sad and pathetic. And shriveled.

Justice has been served.

“You’re scowling,” Olivia says.

“Really, it’s nothing. I was just, uh, thinking about…er…something.” It’s unfair for her to expect me to come up with a clever excuse pre-coffee.

My phone vibrates. Who’s texting me this early? I grouse, even as I’m slightly glad for the interruption.

A text from Silas.

–Silas: Why were we not invited to the birthday party?

I frown at the bluntness. If I had invited them, I wouldn’t have had those moments with my wife, now would I?

Still, I value my life too much to be honest. Six older brothers ganging up on me is tough to beat.

–Me: I didn’t think you’d be interested in coming to my wife’s birthday. It was a private affair.

–Gideon: Private? She’s our sister, too!

–Finn: Why are you treating us like outsiders?

–Me: I’m not!

–Roarke: Yeah, you are. First the wedding, now this?

–Me: It was complicated, okay?

She didn’t really want anybody there. Not that I’d ever disclose that. I’m not going to rat out my wife.

–Rhys: Do you know how I felt when Max and I were driving back from LAX and saw the drone show? She turned to me and said, “Is Olivia Kingswood our new sister-in-law?”

Oh shit.

–Me: You’re already back from your honeymoon? I thought you were still in the Maldives.

–Rhys: Don’t change the subject.

–Me: Come on, guys. Don’t be so dramatic.

–Rhys: I’ll stop being dramatic. Today. Brunch. Bring your wife.

–Me: Aren’t you all busy?

–Xavier: Fuck busy, it’s her birthday.