Page 56 of The Councilor

She turned onto her side, rising onto her elbow. Just staring at me.

When she didn’t say anything for a full minute, I gave her a look. “What?”

“What now?”

“Metaphorically or for our future?”

She lifted both eyebrows, not blinking at all.

“Let’s see,” I said and turned onto my side. “Tomorrow is hopefully the final day of court. You will be there assisting me.”

“Are you prepared for O’Hare?”

“He’s a pompous jerk trying to move up the ranks, which won’t happen unless I say it will.” I did enjoy my position, which allowed me to have influence in several of the elite firms. People knew better than to cross me.

Raphaella snickered. “The big, bad wolf.”

“Let’s just say my firm has a lot of clout in the city.”

“I read that before I started working there. What if the trial is concluded?”

“Then I’m taking some time away from the firm. My partner can handle the workload.”

I could tell she had more questions, most having nothing to do with work, yet she thought of one more.

“What are we going to tell the other employees?”

Exhaling, I brushed my thumb from one side of her jaw to the other. “Nothing. They shouldn’t have any idea.”

“And if they do?”

“Then we’ll deal with it. For now, don’t worry about it. Why don’t I get some wine? You just relax.”

“What about the wedding? Is there going to be one, or are we just heading to the justice of the peace?”

She seemed genuinely concerned. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. This all came on very quickly. Why don’t you think about it and let me know what you’d prefer.”

“You didn’t want this arrangement either.”

“Let’s just say as of this time last week, it never would be on my radar.” There was no reason not to be honest with her.

“Thank you for telling me that. I know what my father would prefer.” She half laughed but the sound remained bitter.

“And I couldn’t care less about your father’s wants or needs. This will be your wedding.”

“Yeah. My first. And our wedding. Remember?” She looked away and her comment bothered me. The contract was only for a year, but I honestly hadn’t thought that through either.

“You’re right. That doesn’t mean the event shouldn’t be special.” I shifted to the edge of the bed.

“You mean glow and show for the press.”

I threw a look over my shoulder as she thumped back on the comforter. “It doesn’t need to be that way, at least not in our world. Plus, I don’t like putting an additional target on your head.”

“Our world. You make it sound like all of this is easy, the adjustment something I can do with the snap of my fingers. I’m not that way.”

“I don’t expect you to be, princess. I might be demanding but I can only imagine what you’re feeling. Now, red or white?”

“Red. Always.”

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