Page 3 of The Billionaire's Wife

Marcus then gestures to Aiden’s left hand where a gold band sits on his ring finger. He and his wife, Lilly, were married almost a year ago. “It’s so rare to see these days—especially in the tech world. So many young men with these large, successful companies choose to spend that wealth not on finding a loving wife or starting a family, but instead on extravagance and frankly just playing around.” He shakes his head. “It’s such a waste. And such a shame.”

“She’s the one I do it all for,” Asher says with a smile.

“As it should be,” Marcus approves. “How long have you and your wife been together?”

“Three years now,” Asher answers. “And she actually works with us at King Tech. She manages the entire administrative side of things.” Asher then grins at Aiden beside him. “And this guy here is technically still a newlywed.”

Marcus’s smile widens. “Congratulations to you,” he says warmly.

Aiden reddens slightly. “Thank you.”

Marcus sighs contentedly. “This is such a weight off my chest. The idea of going into business with three family men like yourselves, it really just cements my thoughts on all of this.”

“We’re so excited to see where this goes,” I agree, hoping he won’t suddenly notice my lack of wedding band and change his mind on how excited he seems. Besides, it’s not like I’m decidedly not a “family man.” I’ve just never gotten around to it. Or rather, the one woman I was ready to “get around to it” with was less than thrilled about reciprocating that notion.

But, whatever. That doesn’t matter. Not now.

I notice a glint in Marcus’s eye, and he leans forward, setting his coffee cup down on the table. “You know, I just had the greatest idea. My wife and I are planning a Caribbean cruise in just a week—why don’t the three of you and your wives come along? Our yacht is more than big enough. You can meet my Julia, and it’ll be a wonderful chance for all of us to become better acquainted and celebrate this new company we’ll be building.”

“I’m in,” Aiden immediately says. “You had me at ‘Caribbean cruise.’”

Asher laughs, scrambling to agree while seeming slightly shocked. “We … could probably find the time to pull ourselves away. This is, after all, our biggest priority at the moment.” He gestures to the meeting, insinuating our pending merger.

Marcus clasps his hands together. “Wonderful. This will be such a fun time.” Just then, his gaze lands on me. And just as I’d dreaded, it slides down to my ringless left hand. “How rude of me, I never asked about your wife,” he says with a hesitant smile. “I assume you’re married also?”

I resist the urge to show my cards. To panic and let him know. I can tell he’s assessing me. The oldest brother, the one with slightly graying hair, in his late thirties, with no ring on his finger. Fuck. This whole meeting has gone so amazingly well. Could my singleness suddenly ruin everything?

No. No, I can’t let us lose this because of me. Because of something as trivial as not having a wife. What is this, a fifteenth-century royal treaty?

“Oh, of course,” I find myself saying, regretting the words as soon as they slip past my lips. And yet, they keep coming. “My ring is currently being resized.” I gently touch my ring finger in explanation.

Understanding and a slight bit of relief wash over Marcus’s features. “Ah yes, those pesky things can be rather unforgiving.” He chuckles.

I laugh along. “But yes, my wife would gladly join us on your yacht. It’s so wonderfully generous of you to invite us.”

Aiden is staring me down across the table, but I avoid eye contact. Asher seems a bit stiffer than normal, also eyeing me from the side. But it’s too late now. The lie has already slipped out, and there’s no going back.

“I’ll have my secretary send you all the details. We can continue with the merger process in the meantime, and the next time we discuss further details, we can be sitting out in the Caribbean sun with a cool drink.” Marcus smiles, standing.

The four of us head to the door. Asher opens it, and we step out into the hallway.

“The Space Needle is touristy,” Aiden is saying as we venture down the hall, “but it’s a Seattle staple. You have to do it while you’re in town.”

Suddenly, a familiar yip catches my attention, and I look up to see Ella and Betty turning the corner. Ella sees us, shoots me a brief smile—well, more like a tight-lipped expression of acknowledgement—and pulls Betty along. But Betty, ever the friendly and excited pup, barrels her way toward me, through the legs of Aiden, Asher, and Marcus, and jumps up on me, barely meeting my knees.

Marcus laughs in surprise, looking down. “Is this your dog?” he asks.

“Yes,” I admit, trying to push Betty away.

Ella runs into the fray, grabbing Betty’s leash that had been previously yanked out of her hands, and trying to pull her away. “Sorry,” she says, and she truly looks like she means it. She looks mortified.

Marcus turns to her. “Not a problem at all, dear.” Then his eyes widen slightly. “Oh Alec, is this your wife?”

Panic surges through me, twisting my intestines. Ella’s eyes are widening, and she’s beginning to shake her head, but I beat her to it. “Yes,” I say, wrapping my arm around her petite shoulders and pulling her against me. She’s stiff as a board. “This is Ella. Ella, this is Marcus Caddelle, the owner of Caddelle Enterprises.”

Marcus holds out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Ella looks utterly shell shocked and confused, and I can only hope that she keeps her mouth shut long enough for me to get us all out of this.

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