Page 361 of The Christmas Wife

"Among other things."

"You wanted to show me your needs are…a little extreme?"

I can’t stop my lips from twitching. "Those are your words, not mine."

"So this was a test?"

"Maybe?" I yawn.

"Why hire me as your assistant?" The wrinkle between her eyebrows deepens.

I want to lean forward and smooth out her brow a-n-d nope, not going there.Why do I feel so compelled to soothe away her worries?I set my jaw. "I told you already. You needed a job. I did need an assistant. Besides, what better way for you to find out more about my habits than working with me in such close proximity?"

She rubs at her temple. "But when did you decide you wanted to marry me? Did you know about my father having business troubles already? Did you—" She searches my face. "You knew who I was when we met at Gio’s place."

I nod.

She firms her lips. "You’ve been planning this since then?"

"When I met you, I needed an assistant. You’re trusted by my friends. And I trust my friends, so it felt right to offer you the job. Turns out, I also need a wife, and?—"

"You decided I fit that role, too?"

I wipe my thumb under my lower lip. "You're single. And when I had you investigated, I realized who you were."

"So, all the pieces fell together," she says flatly.

"It seemed the logical next step. You’ll have to sign a contract, of course."

"I… I do?"

I nod. "Only you and I will know the real state of this marriage. To everyone else, we decided to get married because we’re in love."

"So we met, and you decided I was the one, and we got married within a week?" She scoffs.

"When you know, you know." The words come out with more certainty than I intended. And for some reason I believe it, too.

She must, too, for her eyes widen. "You sure you used to be a priest and not an actor?"

I tilt my head. "A priest has to be an actor to take the pulpit, and an actor might well be a priest when he’s on screen."

"How do you mean?"

"An actor is the mirror of the audience’s desires. He or she accepts it without judgement, and in turn, grants them absolution."

She searches my features and hers soften. "Also a poet."

I hold her gaze and ensure my own are steely. "You must be mistaken."

She looks at me a second longer, then nods. "I must be."

I reach for my phone and message a number, then slide it back into the pocket of my suit. "The contract is for everything I outlined, including a non-disclosure agreement. Everything I’ve told you today is confidential."

"So you don’t trust me?" She scoffs.

"I asked you to marry me, didn’t I?"

"Only because I happened to be convenient. Not to mention, you had leverage over me." She wraps her arms about her waist.

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