Page 45 of Coerced Queen

“Denounced her title,” Nicole says with a huff.“One little situation, and she can’t handle the heat.”

“It’s no big deal,” Anya says, shuffling her feet.

I turn my face to my wife, fixing my gaze on her gorgeous, flushing cheeks.“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not important,” she says.“I kind of dumped the responsibility on Tersia anyway.”

“Oh, oookay,” Nicole says, waving the hand in which she holds the glass.“I’ll do it.I accept.”

It’s a good thing her glass is empty or she would’ve spilled wine all over that coat, which resembles a hairy roadkill, and go home stinking like a distillery.Hell, she’ll probably sweat French Burgundy from her pores until tomorrow, smelling like my five hundred-dollar collector’s wine anyway.

“I don’t think that’s a decision you should make before we’ve had more chocolate,” Livy says.

“You’re right.”Nicole looks at Livy as if she just found an instant solution to global warming.“My bleeding uterus needs more chocolate.But I accept in the meantime.I’ll just stuff my face with some of those yummy marshmallows in the meantime.”

Anya giggles.“Claire and I will be honored.”

The fact that my wife left me out of the equation isn’t lost on me.

This is something we’re going to talk about later—not that I’m not a part of her and Claire’s inner circle, which is by conscious design from my side, but that she didn’t tell me Tersia pulled out of being Claire’s godmother.

“I’ll get you some water.”I take back the crutches.“While I’m at it, I’ll call Logan and tell him you’ll need a ride.”

Nicole pouts.“Spoil sport.”

Two liters of water and a few hundred grams of sugar later, Logan arrives to fetch his wife.

He drapes her arm over his shoulders and takes her around the waist.“Come on, baby.Small steps.I’ve got you.”

“Thank you, Anya,” Nicole calls back loud enough to wake the whole neighborhood, her knees buckling as she waves with a floppy arm extended in the air.“You throw a mean campfire party.”

“She all right?”I ask Logan, getting the back door.

“She will be.”He grins and kisses her temple.“Naughty girl.”

Nicole sways in his arms.“Haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”

“That’s because you work too hard, baby.”

It’s not as much their intimacy as their banter that makes me uncomfortable.It reminds me too much of my shortcomings, of all the things I can’t give Anya.

Livy goes upstairs to change out of her ski ensemble while Anya accompanies our guests to the front door.

“We should do this again soon,” she tells Nicole, kissing her cheek.“Next time, bring Logan.We can throw some burgers on the barbecue.”She looks at me.“Right, Sav?”

“We’ll see,” I say, my smile tight.

I know what she’s trying to do, and it’s not going to work.She’s not going to trick me out of my shell by inviting people and forcing me to socialize.

Logan holds on to Nicole’s wrist that’s draped over his shoulder and uses his free hand to shake mine.“Thanks for taking care of my wife.I don’t see her like this often.When she goes all out like that, she’s close to burnout.”He adds with affection, “Stubborn woman won’t listen and cut down on her consultation hours.”

I give my treasure a pointed look.“No wonder our wives get along.It seems they have a lot in common.”

Anya’s makes light of the statement with a laugh.“See you around, Logan.”

I make sure he gets to his car and watch the taillights disappear through the gates before I put out the fire, lock the door, and set the alarm.

Anya is already upstairs.She’s removing the pearl earrings I gave her in front of the mirror when I walk into the dressing room.

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