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The Maybach. I am surprised, the limo our typical vehicle, the Maybach used when Drew and Nathan are alone. I arch my eyebrow at Drew as he opens my car door.
* * *
“Guess it’s not that kind of trip, princess.”
* * *
I hope my quick entrance into the car hides my flush. Nathan does typically use the space of the limo to satisfy his sexual needs. In retrospect, maybe that’s the only reason we take the limo. We certainly don’t need that much space.
* * *
In the back of the Maybach, Nathan seems too close, the area not large enough for his ego and my nerves. I clasp my hands in my lap, cross my ankles, and try to relax.
* * *
Nathan ends his call and glances at me. “I have to go to the courthouse to sign some documents. I thought we could kill two birds with one stone and get your new identification.”
* * *
I nod, our marriage ceremony completed over a month ago. “I don’t have any of the paperwork with me.”
* * *
“Mark has everything we’ll need.”
* * *
Of course he does. Mark seems to walk around with every piece of paper anyone might possibly want. He knows the caloric content of french fries, historical weather patterns, and every maitre’d and city official in Nashville. It’s creepy how smart he is, the gift softened by his complete inability to carry on a coherent conversation. I tried to chat with him at a red light once, and somehow ended up hearing him recite pi to fifty-two decimal places.
* * *
Nathan gets on the phone, and I settle into the seat.
* * *
We leave the courthouse two hours later; my name officially changed, a shiny new driver’s license in hand, one that screamed CANDACE DUMONT in giant block letters. It is crazy, but looking at that license, I finally realized what I’ve done. Married a stranger. Given up on true love. Sold my future in exchange for financial security and a few orgasms a week. I tighten my hands on my license to keep them from shaking.
* * *
“I’m hungry. Let’s get something to eat, and then Drew can drop me at the office and take you home.” Nathan leans forward, his hand wrapping around my knee. I unzip my purse, shoving the license in with fingers that only barely tremble.
* * *
I force a smile. “Lunch sounds good.”
* * *
In the mirror, Drew’s eyebrows knit in something akin to worry.
CHAPTER 27
Nathan is in the best mood I have seen him in. Unlike the forced happiness that we adopt in front of the cameras, his exuberance seems genuine, his kind looks and loving smile painless in their delivery. We sit outside; he orders margaritas and beams at me across the table, his smile infectious, my own mouth curving in a bewildered response.
* * *
“Candace Dumont,” he says the name in wonder, leaning forward and gripping my hand, staring at the stone there. “We should go somewhere and celebrate. Take the honeymoon we never took.”
* * *
The honeymoon we never took? I take a sip of water, hoping that the alcohol is on its way, wondering who this man is and what he has done with my serious, all-business husband. “A honeymoon?” I can’t think of a more creative response.
* * *
His grin weakens a little, and he shrugs. “The press would enjoy a honeymoon. Plus, I have business in the Caribbean. You’re coming.”
* * *
I am able to mask my irritation with the arrival of our drinks. I sip the margarita, and glance around the restaurant. I shouldn’t be irritated. I should be grateful for the trip, for an opportunity to go somewhere with this beautiful man. The mention of press means photos. Photos mean charismatic Nathan, loving smiles, and soft caresses. Photos mean a weekend like Napa—a weekend that will break my heart in its perfection. “When will we go?”
* * *
“Next month. I have a land deal that I need to close first. Once that’s taken care of, I will be able to take a couple of days off. Plus, it will take some time to get you a passport.” He picks up the menu. “I’ll have Drew make the arrangements.”
* * *
I want to ask if Drew will be joining us, but worry the question will seem odd. Instead, I settle into silence, placing my order, and saying little else.
* * *
It’s the first meal we have shared without others present. We’ve had a couple of double dates—arranged for business purposes—dates on which Nathan was on his best behavior. More common has been group outings—a party, a dinner, a tour of a new development, charity events. Group outings are easy for us, the crowds allowing us to mask our limited knowledge of each other, our lack of inside jokes, pet names, and shared history. For some couples, silence is comfortable, everything already discussed, shared, communication possible without speaking. For us, silence is all we have ever known. I do not speak because I don’t know what to say. He doesn't speak because he has no interest in talking.
