Page 42 of Wanted

“A suspension of activities,” I correct him. “And about the goods, well, I wouldn’t have married you without signing a prenup, had I known about your money. I’ve told you to call your lawyer, I’m sure you have one on your payroll.”

I can’t name the expression that crosses his face, maybe it’s one, perhaps it’s the mixture of several.

“So speaking of activities… How about baseball? What base will you allow me to get to?”

That silly question and the blatant change of subject makes me smile.

“I’ll tell you when you stop being such a cocky player.”

“You’re cute when you try to hide that it doesn’t affect you as much as it affects me.” Saying this, he kisses me on the nose. “Come with me, I want you to show you where the office is.”

“What happened to your wonderful idea, ‘where’s my wife’ app?”

“It’s in the developing stages, smartass.” He takes me by the hand to guide me down a corridor that I’ve never been to until today.

The irony doesn’t escape me, this path is new for me and I’ll have to trust him as a guide.

* * *

Lionel’s assistant Hadley is a girl with long black hair and blue eyes, so well dressed that she looks like something out of a magazine.

She comes home like someone who has done it many times before. Smiling, she looks me up and down. Twice, like she hasn’t seen me before.

I feel like I’m taking an exam that I didn’t know I had to prepare for.

“So you have already made yourself at home?” she asks me after an uncomfortable silence.

I’m standing in the kitchen, facing the stove, getting one of my mixes ready, because I’m still trying to find the perfect combination. I’m almost sure that mint, honey, and bergamot are the winning formula, but until the soaps are ready to use I can’t take it for granted.

“Hadley,” says a hoarse voice behind her. “Of course she’s settled, it’s her home, after all.”

The girl opens her mouth and for a second doesn’t seem to know what to say, but immediately she composes herself and pastes another smile that does not touch her eyes. Is she interested in my husband or do they have a history? “Of course, Mr. Kral.”

She reaches out with a bag. I want to tell her a few things, but I remind myself of courtesy over jealousy.

“Mrs. Kral, here is your new phone and computer.”

I definitely don’t trust this girl, but this is the game we are going to play. “Thanks, Hadley. This is immensely helpful.”

“Did you bring what I asked for?” Lionel intervenes, cutting the tension that certainly hangs over us.

She pulls out some documents from her briefcase and hands them to Lionel, who drops onto one of the stools in front of the breakfast bar and sifts through them without giving the girl a second look.

No, there is no interest there, at least not on his part.

“You want me to take the rest to the office, sir?” Is it hope? Gah, jealousy is bitter on my tongue.

“Put the contracts here on the counter, Hadley. Stella and I are going to eat soon.”

Again some emotion flashes in her eyes.

“My favorite is still roast beef,” I say to Lionel as we eat the sandwiches I’ve made for lunch, accompanied by tomato soup.

“Lamb is so much better, it’s not as stringy and it’s not as boring as chicken.”

I roll my eyes, these silly discussions make me smile. And they also mark many others that Lionel intends to win. Like the fact that the computer is here and so is the phone.

“It’s the same number,” he tells me as soon as he takes the gadget out of its box, while I try to study a little more. I must hire an online tutor, doing it by myself is turning out to be more difficult than I thought.

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