Page 41 of One Wealthy Wedding

“No, I mean, they’ll talk about me.”

Theo pauses in front of the door. “How do you know?”

“Because everyone does. You’ve been gone. You don’t understand.” I take a shaky breath and keep my eyes on Theo’s sharp jaw. “It happens every time I go to class. I wasn’t exactly well-liked in my old social circle, and I wasn’t—I don’t have your way with people. There have already been comments about our relationship.”

His jaw is flexing now, a little muscle feathering at the edge, where the hard line of it becomes the crease of his neck.

“No one will say anything.”

My eyes cut to his. Bright, furious green.

Only I’m not sure why he’s angry, since he’s one of the people who is pleased to see me brought low.

“You’re my wife now. And my reputation, well, it might be more tarnished than not, but I’m well-liked. And I have a lot of fucking money.” He runs a hand through his hair.

“Quite a pair we make,” I say.

His eyes are back to being teasing. “Yes, a disinherited Juliet and a dissolute Romeo. The match of the century. Let’s show them, okay?”

I inhale a shaky breath before I nod. “Okay.”

The restaurant is the exact type of place I imagine people like Theo enjoy. A place people in my social circle go. The blond wood, pink velvet chairs, and glass lights gleam with wealth and satisfaction—pretty and totally self-indulgent. I guess that’s what brunch is for them—a circus, meant for them to see and be seen. And the people here are certainly taking advantage of that. I precede Theo to the table, and whispers ripple in my wake. I can practically feel Theo’s breath on my neck. He’s a looming presence as we approach our corner table and he directs me to sit facing the room. And instead of sitting across from me, he takes the seat at my side.

“People are staring,” I mutter. There’s a brunette near us who keeps sneaking glances, and is that a photo? Ugh. I guess photos are what Theo wants.

“That’s the point,” he says before ordering two coffees, mine with just milk and his black with lots of sugar.

“You noticed how I take my coffee?”

His gaze meets mine. “It’s how you’ve always taken it.”

Oh. The breath leaves my chest, and in its place is longing. But not for something I’ve never had—for something I had and lost. Theo and I used to drink coffee together. How could I have forgotten? When it was cold and we had nowhere else to go, we’d escape to a local coffee shop. Theo always wanted to drink underage, but I was too scared to get in trouble, so coffee it was.

“I forgot,” I murmur.

“I didn’t,” he says. “Besides.” His mouth lifts in that cocky smirk. “I didn’t get rich by not being observant.”

I snort a laugh and slap my hand over my mouth. “And so modest too.”

“Nah. Modesty is overrated.” His impossibly green eyes glint.

“You should have that embroidered and hung above your bed.”

“Then where would I hang the mirror?” He grins at me. “Maybe I’ll have it tattooed on my ass.”

Another laugh bursts out of me. “You wouldn’t.”

“I so would.” He’s grinning too, and it feels like a whole herd of animals is galloping inside me. Danger, Cat. I’ve been down this path with Theo before, and it ended with a broken heart.

I drop my eyes to my menu. “What’s good here?”

“Oh, none of it,” he says cheerfully. “The food is terrible. Well, the dessert is quite good, actually. Yes, keep smiling like that. A well-known gossip blogger is looking over at us. No, don’t look.” He scoots closer until I feel him like a small sun next to me. He pulls a lock of my hair between his fingers, and I nearly flinch. “Pretend I’m telling you something really dirty,” he murmurs low in my ear.

“Pretend? I don’t need to pretend. I live in a den of debauchery. I’m waiting for the day I find a woman’s underwear hanging on one of the chandeliers.”

He laughs softly, hot breath blowing over my neck. Goose bumps follow. Biology. It’s just biology. I do not want my husband. “The ceilings are quite high. I don’t see how that would work logistically. I suppose if I were very vigorous—”

“Stop,” I say, but I’m smiling. “I don’t need to hear about your athletic prowess.”

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