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I turned to my husband."What are you doing?"I hissed.
"Showing you some affection," Andrew said."You're my wife."He emphasized the second word.
So, that's what this was about.Possession.
"Cut it out."
"Lex, there's nothing wrong with letting you know I care."
"That's not what you're doing and we both know it."
Andrew removed his hand and I breathed a small sigh of relief but then he moved his chair so it was closer to mine."That's exactly what I'm doing," he said as he dropped his arm lazily over my shoulder.His fingertips dangled along the crest of my breast.
With his back turned to us, Leo had positioned the cart with the cake next to the table and was unwrapping a silver knife from a cloth napkin.
He was close.Andrew was too close.
I pushed back my chair, ducked under Andrew's arm and stood."You can't cut the cake here, Nicole."
Everyone looked at me as if I'd lost my mind.
Maybe I had.Having Leo and Andrew in the same room, my marriage spinning further out of control, was making me crazy.
"Let's move it over to these flowers, without the table in the background," I said.
"I think it's fine," Ryan said.
"Of course it's not fine.You need flowers for the pictures," I snapped and grabbed the cart.
"I've got it," Leo said.His voice was a soothing balm that covered me.I looked into his eyes and felt calm settle over me."It's okay.You can let go."
"Thank you," I said.His eyes held me, and I didn't move.
Nicole broke our connection."I think that sounds like a fantastic idea, Lex."She put her hands on my shoulders and pulled me upright, forcing me to let go.I turned and looked at her."It's a good idea," she said again, but I don't think she was talking about the cake.
I nodded.
Nicole leaned in and whispered in my ear, "You need to calm down.Do you need a minute?"
I shook my head."I'm fine," I said.
"Lexi, you don't seem fine.Take a breath."
I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and pulled away.Her pretty face was crumpled with concern."Honestly," I said."Everything's fine."
"Is Andrew—"
"It's fine," I repeated but when Nicole gestured towards the table, I turned.
Andrew's seat was empty.
I turned back to Nicole."I'm sorry," I said."I don't know where—"
"Are you ready, Nic?"Ryan called.
Leo had already moved the cart and the cake was now framed by tropical flowers and palms.Ryan was waiting, the knife in his hands.
Later, after she'd happily smooshed cake in her husband's face, Nicole wrapped me in a hug.
