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“Contrary to popular belief, coffins don’t make for comfortable sleeping arrangements.”
Her howl of a laugh makes my lips twitch in response.
I drop the box near the entrance to her empty closet. “You’ll keep your clothes in here.”
“But I’m not—we’re not—you don’t expect me to—” Her eyes dart around the space, not quite landing on anything.
My ability to be the only person who can throw her off-kilter fills me with a burning sense of satisfaction.
“Sleep in the same bed as me?” I finish for her.
Her throat bobs as she nods. “Right. That.”
“No.”
She gnaws on her bottom lip. “Thank God. That would have been awkward.”
“Right.” The back of my neck prickles. “In the house, we can act how we want. But in public, I expect you to appear affectionate toward me.”
“Are you sure you can stand my touch for extended periods of time?”
“It’ll push me to my limits, but I’ll make do.” I step into her walk-in closet and open the door on the other end.
She halts. “You built a hidden door to another room? In a closet?!”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“Because I was preparing for something like this.” The words slip past my lips easily.
“Wait.” She holds up her hand. “People prepare for fake marriages?”
“It’s to be expected once you reach a certain tax bracket.”
Her nose crinkles. “That’s gross.”
“No. It’s life.”
She stares at me with parted lips. I turn around and enter the second bedroom. The colors complement my master suite, but instead of blues, the walls are covered in a pale yellow.
“This is beautiful.” One of her hands traces the lacy bedspread. The room is large, with its own sitting area, bathroom, and windows overlooking the expansive backyard.
“You can decorate it however you want. I only ask that you keep on top of cleaning since the housekeeper isn’t permitted to enter.”
She looks up at me. “You’ve really thought of everything, haven’t you?”
“Everything except for you.”
* * *
“Looks like Iris is making herself at home. I’m sure you love that.” Cal assesses one of the plants she added to the corner of our living room. My home has slowly turned into a nursery, with new plants arriving every day to fill empty corners and blank walls.
I ignore him as I take a sip of my drink. “How is the progress on your part of Grandfather’s will?”
He shrugs. “What’s the rush? It’s not like you’re becoming CEO tomorrow.”
“No, but if I have my way, I will be by the end of the year.”
