Page 10 of Marrying Off My Husband

“There you go apologizing again for something that’s not your fault. Are you close with your sister?”

“A little.”

I stared at her, confusion etched into my features.

“We…talk a lot. Audrey is…opinionated.”

“Ugh, I know what you mean. Sounds like my mama. Now, what about love? Husband? Boyfriend?” I was prying, but I had to know.

She almost laughed at my question as she shook her head, her lips pressing together tightly. “Oh, no. Neither.”

“Pretty girl like you? Coming off a bad relationship?”

She slouched in her seat a little. “I, uh, I’m just not very lucky in love.”

“Oh. Well, maybe you just haven’t met the right man yet.” I patted her hand again.

She forced a smile that said to me she wasn’t buying my line, but she had no idea what I had in store for her.

“So, it sounds like you have.” Her gaze shifted from my sparkling ring, her features brightening as she shifted the topic off of herself. “How long have you been married?”

“Oh, uh…” I couldn’t tell her the whole story yet. I didn’t want to frighten her off. “Six months.”

“Oh, you’re newlyweds.” She grinned at me. “That’s great.”

“Yeah,” I said through a fake grin. “Well, that’s enough about me. What are your hobbies?”

We spent a few more minutes chatting, and with each one that passed, I grew more and more certain that I’d struck gold.

Just as there was a lull in the conversation, Eve offered me a sweet smile before taking a sip of her hot chocolate and polishing off her donut. “Well, I really should be going.”

She rose, her chair scraping back against the concrete.

“Oh,” I said, my features twisting into a frown. “Well, I have really been enjoying myself chatting with you Eve. Would it be too much to ask to exchange numbers? I’d love to do it again.”

The expression on her features made it seem like she’d never been asked that before in her life. I grinned at her, hoping she didn’t think I was a stalker. My mama said I came across too strong for people, and that’s why no one liked me.

She eased back into her seat, setting down the cup and crumpled bag she’d grabbed a moment ago. “S-sure.”

I beamed, typing her name into my contact list. “Eve Dawson. Go ahead, sugar.”

She passed along her number, and I input it, then held up a finger. “Just a second. I’m sending a text. Now, make sure you get it.”

She dug into her functional little purse and pulled out a phone. “Got it.”

After a smile at me, she added me to her contact list.

I leapt from my seat as she rose and pulled her into a hug. “Don’t be a stranger, ‘cause I sure won’t be.”

“Okay,” she said with a chuckle, her cheeks turning rosy red again. “Bye, Lou. I hope your day gets better.”

She twisted and headed away from me, dumping her trash in the can near the door before she continued around the corner. I watched her go, the grin never leaving my face.

She was perfect. Sweet, genuine, and single. I had just found Spencer’s new wife. Now, all I had to do was make them fall in love.

CHAPTER 4

SPENCER

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