Page 27 of Ex-SEAL Bad Boy

Sophia works for a large national PR firm. We’re prepared to specify but hope that won’t be necessary.

I inform her that our wardrobe should be expensive, but elegant, and not too flashy. We want to present ourselves as a conservative couple with class. It should be easy to pull off.

I clarified to her earlier that I would pay for anything she needed to complete the look. After all, if it’s my job, I should be willing to provide the tools.

“I don’t think I’ll have to work all that hard to play the loving wife.” She walks up to me playfully, pulling on the front of my shirt with two fingers.

I chuckle, but I need to keep my head on straight. I’m going to approach this just like any other mission. Cover all the details,and think of all the possibilities, not just for myself but for my team as well.

“Later, Mrs. Blackwood.”

Now, I have to worry about her getting too into this. Being too lovey-dovey would also look suspicious. Every couple has a honeymoon period, but things tend to cool down after being married for a bit.

“So, when do we get to meet Mr. Whitmore?”

I had already informed her about meeting the mother-to-be first and the father later. She’s, surprisingly, OK with that. Of course, I didn’t tell her that he hadn’t even officially agreed to it yet.

“The lawyer is setting that up.” I lie.

“So, what do you think I’ll look good in?” She comes up behind me, placing her hands gently on my shoulders, an affectionate gesture that interrupts my train of thought. I know what she is fishing for me to say, but I decide not to humor her.

“I dunno. Maybe pick up some things from that boutique where you work. Maybe you can get an employee discount,” I smirk.

“Ugh, you have to be kidding,” she says dismissively. “Those clothes are designed for older women. I had some snooty older lady come in the other day and tell me that she wanted me to help her find clothes that would make her look good. I wanted to tell her it would take much more than new clothes to make her look good.”

I laugh at that. Maybe I’m rubbing off on her after all.

“I’m thinking of maybe hitting the mall this afternoon. They have some nice, trendy stuff. Who knows, perhaps I’ll pick up something lacy for underneath.”

I can see she’s annoyed with me refusing to engage with her, but I’m all business when I put on my game face.

There’s silence, and the temperature in the room seems to drop. I can feel the tension. She is about to drop something on me, I can tell.

“So, you know I’m friends with Melanie Farrell, right?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“You went out with her sister, Alexa.”

Now, I know I’m not going to like this.

“Yeah, it was long ago, but we dated for a while.”

“I know it didn’t end well. What happened?”

“Look,” I snap, turning to face her. “I like you—a lot—but you’re not my girlfriend, and I don’t want you butting into my personal life. What went on between Alexa and me is none of your business. Suffice it to say, we had some issues, and it ended. That’s all you need to know. I don’t want to hear about it again. Are we clear?”

12

SOPHIA

I turn on my heel and leave, slamming the door behind me without giving him an answer.

I’m enraged at his anger and hurt.

I hoped he would be honest with me, but why should he be? He’s Ethan Blackwood, right? I don’t need this.

Who knows what he’s being honest about? I don’t know if anything he told me about this girl and Harrison Whitmore was true. Why was this adoption so shady if he was such a good guy?

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