Page 24 of Betrothed To Love

I smile. “Yes, you can.”

“Good and you can tell your team to hold The Chronicle announcement until Monday morning. My family will know tomorrow when they meet you.” His lips lightly peck my forehead then he releases me. “I’ll call you,” he repeats before walking out of my kitchen and leaving me...

Wanting.

It takes me a moment to move out of my stupor. I journey back into my living room, lock my door, then set the alarm. I grab our plates and napkins and take them into the kitchen. Once I’ve put everything up and my kitchen is spotless, I relax on my sectional, shoot Duke a text about The Chronicle announcement, then call Giselle.

“Hey, girl,” she answers with a sigh.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask.

“Just aggravated. I need some new escorts and the screenings today have been disappointing as hell. I’ve had eleven so far and only four of them had on some damn clothes. The others walked up in here like this is a fucking strip club. TopPick is elite. My clientele expects more, and hell, I demand more. I’m looking for more than a phat ass here. I sell dates, an experience, and the best of the best. TopPick requires beauty and brains. I even have clients who want multi-lingual dates.”

“I know your standards so I can only imagine your disappointment.”

“Honestly, I might need to fire my damn assistant ’cause where the hell did she advertise for these women,” she scoffs.

“Leave Tessa alone. She’s good.”

“Today, she isn’t,” she snaps then laughs. “But enough of me and my bullshit today. What’s going on with you and your situation?”

“You mean my husband,” I interject and grin too. “He just left here actually.”

“He was there? For what? How was that?” she fires off.

“It was interesting. We talked it all out. He’s agreed to stay married for my campaign and I’m going to meet his big family tomorrow. After that, I want to arrange a quick meet with y’all too. He has to meet my family.”

“Let me host our meeting with him,” she says. Giselle loves a good get-together.

“You know you can. I will not object.”

“What are you wearing tomorrow though?” she asks.

“I don’t know. It’s a barbecue with just us, his five brothers, parents, nephews, and daughter.”

“Daughter! He has a child? Where’s the mother?”

“She’s out of the picture. He’s a single dad taking care of his beautiful little girl.”

“And you’re a step mommie. Mireya, this is a lot. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”

“I’m sure because I have to. I’ve worked too hard trying to balance this unfair judicial system. I can’t let Richardson get my bench and set us back. He can’t win. Plus, I spoke with Duke. We only have to do this until January. I can pretend to be married for five months.”

“It’s not pretend though. You are actually married.”

“I know. I’m coming to terms with that. It’s going to take some time though.”

“Meeting the family definitely is going to make it real. Make sure you walk in there like the queen you are,” she says.

“Always. This crown never tilts.”

“And doesn’t,” she cosigns.

“I’m going to actually treat myself for the rest of the day to get ready. That’s why I was calling, to see if you wanted to join me at Sugar + Milk.”

“Girl, I could use an aromatherapy deep tissue right now,” she says, referring to her preferred massage at our favorite spa.

“That’s exactly what I’m getting after my diamond life infusion facial.”