Page 14 of His Naive Wife

But was I happy with Dylan? Or was I staying with him because it annoyed my father so much? I was starting to question what I had been so sure about before.

In the meantime, I spend my days avoiding the man I’m dying to get to know better. The man who cuts such a sexy figure in his suit that I wonder why I never liked men in suits before.

I can’t love him, though. I can’t even like him. He’s just a pawn my father is using to keep Dylan and me apart.

I’m desperate. I need to see Dylan. I need him to say the words I know he feels. Or I need to finally get some closure and accept the truth about him. Luckily, I know exactly where to find him.

As the limo approaches Spumoni Gardens, I spot Dylan sitting at a table with Clive and another of Dad’s security detail.

“Right here, Reggie,” I say as I point to the restaurant. “Stay here. I’ll only be a few minutes. I’m just meeting an old friend.”

“Yes, Miss,” he says.

His eyes flick up to the rearview mirror, then back at me.

This is it. This is where I learn the truth.

I take a deep breath before opening the car door and walking over to Dylan. I’m so focused on him that I don’t see anything else going on.

“Hi, guys. Can you give us a minute, please?” I ask.

The two other men look at each other and then get up without a word. They sit at a nearby table, leaving Dylan alone with me.

“Where have you been?” I ask.

“Where have I been,” he scoffs. “Like that’s any of your business.”

“What’s going on, Dylan? Did I do something wrong?”

“Has your dad given me a raise or a promotion yet? If the answer is no, then yes, you did something wrong.”

“Is that all you care about? I ask, motioning with my hands as I extend the word ‘all’.

“Why are you here?” he asks.

“Because I want to know how you feel about me. I just need to hear you say it.”

My heart is racing from adrenaline. Why is he acting this way? Has he always been like this? Maybe I was too blind to notice.

“Say it? Say what? This is ridiculous. It’s not like I’m getting anything out of you being here.”

“All you have to do is tell my dad how you feel about me,” I say.

“And why would I do that?” Dylan asks.

“If you do that, then I can get an annulment, and we can be together. He just wants to hear that you love me.”

“But I don’t.”

The wind is knocked out of me, but somehow I keep talking because nothing is making sense. I’m surprised, but not at the same time. I’m hurt, but either. I should be devastated, but all I can think of is how my father was right all along, and that angers me.

“But you have to! You do love me. We made love, you called me your baby, and you said you wanted to be with me.”

Dylan laughs. “Yeah, baby. Because that’s what guys do to get some pussy. Plus, I thought you would put in the good word with your dad and get me some extra cheddar cheese.” He motions with his hands as if he’s passing out money. “Now, that would’ve been worth putting up with you.”

“Putting up with me?” I say, feeling my anger rise, but I quickly push it down. He doesn’t mean what he’s saying.

“Fuck, you’re such a clingy bitch.”

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