Page 65 of The Billionaire's Wife

My eyebrows lifted as the transcript began to scroll across the screen and I hurried to accept the call. “Hello?”

“Oh, Faith, honey, this is the right number. I was so worried I’d written it down wrong and was going to have to tell Tristan he was right and have him text it to me after all.” Mrs. Lee’s voice was exactly as I remembered it.

“Hi, Mrs. Lee.”

“I would think, at this point in our lives, you could call me Angie. Especially since Tristan just let his dad and me in on a rather large secret he’s been keeping. The turkey.”

I winced. “I hope you’re not too angry—”

“Shush. Tristan’s been in love with you since about six months after we started taking you to church with us. Honestly, I’ve been frustrated these last ten years or so that he let you disappear. Of course, I didn’t realize exactly how that had happened. He just said college had you drifting apart.”

It was sort of true. But it was also the kindest possible spin he could have put on it. Which was just like him. “I thought you were overseas.”

“We’re on our way home. If we can finagle the flights, we should be in the DC area on Wednesday. I can’t wait to see you.”

“You’re coming here?” My chest tightened. Sure, she didn’t sound angry on the phone, but how could I possibly show my face after all of this?

“Of course we are! As soon as Tristan explained that you were in town and that you were married, well, we have to come. It’s no big deal to change our plans and come early. Steve is busy on his phone with the airlines, or he’d be backing me up.”

“Where will you stay?” I blurted out the words before I could think better of it.

“With you two, of course. Tristan has that lovely spare bedroom, and we promise not to stay too long and cramp your style. I realize you’re still basically newlyweds with all the time you spent apart.”

I opened my mouth to explain that I was staying in the spare room, then stopped. Tristan hadn’t mentioned it to them. Obviously. But why wouldn’t he have? I swallowed and prayed my voice didn’t sound as tight as it felt. “Wonderful.”

“Isn’t it? Now, fair warning. I plan to talk you into a real wedding. Or at least a nice reception. But it’d be so great for you and Tristan to renew your vows with a minister. There’s nothing wrong with eloping. I’d never say that. But I do love the idea of making those promises in a church. What do you think?”

“Um.” I blinked. I couldn’t think. I was still stuck on the idea that, unless Tristan wanted to spill all the details of the whole sordid story to his parents, I wasn’t going to have my own room while they were in town.

Angie laughed. “I took you by surprise. Well, think on it, and we’ll chat when we’re there. I just can’t wait to hear all about—” Her husband’s voice rumbled in the background “—what, honey? Oh, okay. Sorry. Steve says to hang up so we can get a move on. That man. See you soon! Love you, bye!”

The call ended and I sat staring at my phone. What had just happened?

I was so out of it, I didn’t process the sound of the key in the lock until the front door closed.

After another moment, Tristan came down the hallway in his socks holding a paper bag. “I went ahead and got you a burger and fries even though you didn’t text. If you don’t want it, I can stick it in the fridge.”

“A burger sounds good.” I stood robotically and moved to the kitchen island. “How was your walk?”

“Good.” Tristan followed me. He set the bag on the island and went over to the fridge. “Soda?”

“Ginger ale?” I couldn’t remember if he had any, but I could use something to settle my stomach.

With a nod, he pulled open the fridge and got out two cans. He put one in front of me, then pulled out his stool and sat. He opened the bag and lifted out two foam to-go boxes and slid one over before popping open the top on the other. “They’re the same. No tomatoes, right?”

I nodded, my heart melting. How could he remember all those little things about me? The answer was, I guess, easy. He paid attention. He always had. And apparently, I mattered to him.

I opened my takeout box and breathed in the savory aroma. I took a fry and bit in. It was crispier than I expected, given the to-go situation. “Sweet potatoes?”

“Yeah. That way you can pretend you had a vegetable.”

I chuckled. “Your mom called.”

Tristan’s hands stilled. “Oh?”

“Don’t act all innocent.”

He shrugged. “She called while I was walking. They’re heading back to the States.”

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