Page 39 of A Sinner's Truth

“No,” I grunt.More like stepped around him.Truth is I can live without properly meeting him. She cares about the guy and that really just doesn’t sit well with me.

“Come on. Just… he’s my best friend, Santo, so please try to be nice,” Aria says.

“Nice isn’t in my vocabulary.” I chuckle, letting her take hold of my hand.

“It is. You just don’t want people to see it,” Aria says as she drags me back out into the living room. “Drew, I want you to meet my husband—Santo. Santo, Drew—my best friend.” Aria waves an arm between us.

“Hey, mate. It’s good to meet you.” I hold out a palm.

After a glance at Aria, Drew returns the gesture. I might squeeze a little too hard. But the fucker needs to know I’m not his friend, and the second he gives me a reason, I will erase him from Aria’s life.

“Perfect. I’m going to need you to water my plants, Drew,” Aria says.

I look around the living room. There are two potted plants by the balcony door. Both look like they’re already dead. “I’m not sure water is what they need, sweetheart,” I mutter as I walk over and stop in front of them.

“They’re fine. They just do that. Now and then, they go brown, then suddenly they come back. Those plants are like cats. I think they have nine lives,” she says.

“Right.” I shake my head.

“We’re heading out, bro. You guys good here?” Vin chimes in, interrupting my thoughts about how fucking adorable my wife is.

“Yeah. We’re good,” I tell him.

“I’ll see you both back at the house.” Cammi hugs me. “FYI: Gio’s planning a reception for you,” she whispers against my ear.

“Good to know,” I whisper back.

Vin and Cammi leave, and an awkward silence falls over those of us left standing in the living room.

“Aria said you own this apartment?” I look at Drew, who turns and looks at Aria.

“Did she? It’s hers. She just won’t let me sign the deed over to her,” he says.

“I’ll have my lawyer draw up a contract of sale. I’ll buy it from you,” I tell him, then add, “For her.”

I have no intention of buying the place for myself, but I won’t have my wife being taken care of by another man. I know Aria isn’t going to let go of her apartment anytime soon. She’d be mad to. Our arrangement has an expiration date, and if she won’t keep the house I plan to buy for us, she’ll need somewhere to go afterwards.

“Ah, no, you won’t,” Aria says.

“Aria, you’re my wife. This is your apartment. We’re buying it.” I’m not negotiating on this.

“Drew, I think I hear your phone ringing.” Aria glares at her friend.

“No, it’s not,” Drew says, sounding confused.

“Yes, it is. In your apartment. Thin walls and all,” she tells him.

“Oh, right, yeah. I can hear it now.” His eyes widen. “It was good knowing you,” he says to me, laughing as he walks out the door.

Aria spins around, and it doesn’t take a genius to see that she’s pissed. I do my best to school my features, as much as I want to smile right now, because a pissed-off Aria is fucking hilarious and maybe slightly intimidating.

Chapter Eighteen

Idon’t know who this man thinks he is. Okay, well, I do know. I just don’t care.

I get that he’s helping me out here, but I’m not about to let him walk in and start issuing demands and buying shit he doesn’t need to be buying. Like my apartment.

“No,” I say, using the firmest tone I can muster.

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