Page 37 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

Chapter 25

DELE

Luke’s phone buzzing wakes me up. I turn to my side and lie quietly. I hear him answer the call.

“What do you want, Lily?” he whispers.

“Yes, it’s true. I got married.”

“No, I can’t discuss this with you right now.”

“Fine, I’ll see you when I get back.” He hangs up and goes to the closet to grab some clothes, then heads to the bathroom. I feel the trickle of tears in my heart. Who was I kidding to think he wanted more than sex? He has no interest in me. He opens the door, scribbles a note, and leaves it by my bedside. He kisses my forehead and goes out. As soon as the unit door shuts, my tears fall. I wipe them. I won’t cry.I’m finishing school and will never have to worry about money again. That’s what’s important.I take the note.

Going for a run on the beach, brb, the note reads. I set it down and wipe the tears I can’t control.

Memories of him kissing me all over and making love to me flood in, and I cry more. I can feel him in my being, but he doesn’t want me. I’m just another one of the many women he has dated. Lily is the one he wants. I need to remember that, enjoy the days, and remember I signed a contract. I pull myself out of bed with my shattering heart and go to shower. I put on the only bikini I have and never wear, then a T-shirt and shorts. I order breakfast and have just finished eating when he returns.

“Going somewhere?” he asks when he sees me dressed with my backpack.

“Figured I’d enjoy the beach today.” I answer in a collected tone.

“Good, let me just shower, and I can join you.”

He heads towards the bathroom. Against my control, I blurt out, “What are we doing, Luke?” He pauses and turns to me, perplexed.

“What do you mean? We are going to the beach,” he says.

“What’s going on with us? We signed a contract, remember?” His eyes widen.

“So…”

“So, I don’t think it’s wise that we should be having sex.” His mouth drops open, and he closes it. After an intense stare, I wish I’d kept quiet.

“How about we do this? We enjoy ourselves here in Hawaii, and what happens here, stays here. And when we get to Chicago, we can adhere to the contract. Will that work?” he asks, and I nod.

“Sure,” I answer as my heart wails louder.

“Don’t leave. I’ll shower quickly, and we can go down together.”

“Your breakfast?”

“I’m not hungry,” he snaps and goes into the bathroom. When he comes out in swim shorts and a T-shirt, we head out. I keepdigging in my bag to make sure I have everything I need and not hold Luke’s hand. He looks upset, and I don’t get why he would be upset. He’s not the one with a broken heart.

Luke gets us a cabana; it’s comfortable. I pull the chair out so I can lay out in the sun once I remove my shorts and T-shirt, leaving me in the bikini. Sunglasses and hat on, I lie to get some sun. It helps to reduce the flares of my psoriasis. Luke tells me he’s taking a walk and will be right back. I simply nod.

I call my parents and say hello to them. My dad sounds better; the meds arrived last night, and they’re helping. I try not to cry again and hurriedly tell them I have to go.

Luke’s money is helping my dad; I don’t have to love him. I only need to enjoy him and his money while it lasts. I close my eyes and try not to think about Luke, who has a pesky way of staying on my mind.

“Fancy seeing you here,” I hear and turn towards the voice. It’s the guy from last night, Chase Brock. He kept his eyes on my breasts and tried to run his hands over my thighs, making me uncomfortable.

“Oh, hi,” I say, faking a smile. He pulls Luke’s chair out and sits beside me. I sit up, pull my T-shirt out, and put it back on.

“Luke just took a walk that way,” I say, pointing in the direction. “You can probably catch up with him.” He needs to leave; I don’t like him.

“No need. I’ll wait and talk to you,” he says. I don’t want to talk to him right now. I’m in no mood to be nice.

“So, you guys are on your honeymoon?”Ha, the joke of that.

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