Page 79 of The Contract Marriage

–Roarke: You’re going to pay.

I roll my eyes.

“What’s that?” Olivia asks. Then she holds up a hand. “No, wait. Let me guess. It’s uh, uh, uh…something.”

I heave a sigh. “My brothers. They’re a little, um…peeved that they weren’t invited yesterday, so they want to have a birthday brunch. It’s a miracle that they’re all getting together on less than twenty-four hours’ notice, but Rhys says we’re doing it and that’s that.”

“I see.” She furrows her brow. “So…where are we going? Not your grandmother’s house, right?”

“No. That would not be a celebration.”

“More like torture,” Olivia mutters, but I hear it loud and clear.

“It’s going to be Silas’s house because he’s the only one who can whip up something decent on short notice.”

“That sounds nice, actually. Is he good at cooking?”

“Yeah, he’s pretty good. We all have our talents. It’s kind of too bad, though, that his true talent only surfaces under stress.”

“What do you mean?”

“When he’s stuck on a problem or upset or unhappy, he goes on a jam-making spree.”

Her eyes widen. “Really?”

“Uh-huh. And we get lucky because his jams are so good. Don’t know what he puts in there. If he weren’t my brother, I’d think he sprinkled crack into it. But I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t feed that to us.” I pause and play with the new ring on her finger. “But honestly, it’s up to you. If you don’t want to go, we won’t.”

“No, it’s fine,” she says with a small, amused smile. “We should go. I’m excited to meet your brothers, actually.” Her eyes sparkle. “If they’re half as nice as you, I’m sure I’ll enjoy the brunch.”

I look into her bright face. If she wants to be more integrated into my life, that has to mean she’s thinking of something permanent. Right?

Chapter Thirty-Three

Olivia

Despite what I told Liam, I’m a little nervous about the brunch. It’s probably to test and gauge me. The brothers have to be curious about what kind of woman has led their sweet baby brother astray.

Normally I wouldn’t care, but I might need them on my side to serve justice properly. Can’t have them saying anything that would give Hugh ammunition to question the validity of the marriage. He’ll fight with everything he has if he gets even a whiff that this is a setup to take the trust away from him.

Be a loving wife and make Liam happy. Show them what they want to see.

I pick out my battle clothes with care. A sleeveless sheath dress in scarlet red and the matching shade of matte lipstick. I pull up my hair and pin it with a long diamond stick and put on my mother’s heirloom diamond studs. Nothing on my neck or my wrists, to maximize the effect of the Rubedo and the new pavé ring.

“We need to stop by a store and get something,” I say to Liam, who’s been watching me for the last twenty minutes. He just put on a shirt and slacks, but he looks great no matter what he’s in.

“For what?”

“For your brother. Can’t show up at his house empty-handed.”

“Nobody brings a gift to her own birthday brunch,” Liam says, a corner of his mouth quirking.

I purse my lips. Guess it hasn’t occurred to him that they could be testing me. He’s too sweet a person to believe his brothers could have any other motive. His bright eyes win. I exhale and stiffen my spine. “Your brothers might not like me.”

“Because you didn’t bring a gift?”

“Maybe.” I don’t want to talk about my selfish motive for marrying him and ruin the moment.

“Silas isn’t expecting a music box, if that’s what you mean.” Liam gets off the bed and hugs me from behind. “Olivia, you’re fine. You alone are gift enough, I promise. They’ll love you because you’re my wife.”