Page 14 of My Ruthless Husband

Her gasp is so loud and dramatic it makes me chuckle. She drops on the couch beside me before throwing an arm over my shoulders.

“You promised you’d do as I say.”

I nod. “I did, yes.”

“Then why are you overthinking again?” She narrows her eyes. I open my mouth to speak but she beats me to it. “You insisted on not talking about your marriage and about the time when you just disappeared into thin air for a month and I respected that. You showed up this morning at my doorstep with a suitcase and dark circles which told me you didn’t sleep for days on end and yet, I didn’t question you even when I was dying with worry.” She turns her body to me and covers my hands with hers. “Look, River, I don’t know what’s happening in your life right now, but there are signs that tells me enough. If you need help, you know I’m here for you, right?”

I swallow thickly and nod. She squeezes my hands. “You wear your heart on your sleeve and it kills me to see you like this.”

“I’m okay—”

She shakes her head and gives me a sad smile. “And you’re a terrible liar too.”

We both stay silent for a few beats before she speaks again, “If you can’t tell me what is it that’s bothering you, then you have to stop thinking about it all together and focus on us as you promised.”

“Woof!” Summer’s cute golden retriever puppy jumps on her lap, as if agreeing with her.

I take him in my arms and snuggle my cheek in his soft fur. “But I don’t want to go out tonight.”

“Who said about going out anyway?” She grins wider before excitedly planning for a house party. It’s our first New Year together, and she’s practically buzzing with energy about the night.

“How many people are you inviting?” I ask quietly. The thought of being around a crowd isn’t something I’m ready for. But for her, I’m willing to make an exception. I just hope it won’t be too much.

“Including you?”

I nod.

“One,” she says matter-of-factly.

I stare at her for a beat before letting out a laugh.

“Sounds perfect,” I say, letting her drag me along on a shopping trip.

She took me to a couple of thrift stores and bought things that had me side eyeing her. She blissfully ignored me the entire time, whisking me from one place to another. Grinning mischievously, rubbing her hands every time she found a unique item to buy.

At one point, I was mortified when she hopped on a shopping cart with Goldie and asked me to film. When the staff caught us, I was shaking, but Summer was doubled over with laughter.

She grabbed my hand, and we ended up running out of that store. The whole thing was terrifying and thrilling all at once.

“You’re crazy!” I gasped once we were safe outside. She beamed, her pride shining through. “I know, and you love my crazy, bestie.”

I shook my head, smiling.

She bumped her shoulder with mine. “You do, admit it!”

“No,” I suppressed my smile and she gasped loudly. Then plopped on the tarmac, pouting.

My eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

“Protesting.” She deadpanned.

“Okay, okay! I do love your crazy and silly tactics! Now get up before you get us arrested!”

She made me repeat it before getting up and we finally returned to her place.

“Do you trust me?” she asks as we walk into her apartment building, our hands full of shopping bags.

Summer is all about color. She wears it like no one else, often mixing shades that don’t quite match, but somehow, only she can pull it off. Honestly, I bet if she wore a burlap sack, she’d still slay it. But me? I’ve always stuck to muted, lighter colors—Summer calls them ‘boring’ and I guess she’s right. They’ve always mirrored my life.

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