Page 89 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“Good idea, bro. On the plus side, she and Mom would sit by my bedside until I wake up.” He’s fucking right about that, and even more annoying because I can almost visualize the smirk.

“Get out of my house.”

“Dele and I are watching a horror movie. She lost a bet. Why do you think I brought her ice cream?” How the hell did I end up with an evil brother? I’m too far away to fight him. I might as well plead with him and then break his nose when I see him.

“Osei, please don’t watch a horror movie with Dele. She doesn’t like sci-fi either, but she can handle it—play that and call it a day. She’s not fine yet; you can torture her later when I’m there to keep her from screaming her lungs out.”

“The fact you’re pleading is refreshing, to say the least,” he mocks.

“I’ll beg if I have to, to prevent my wife from having nightmares.” I’m pleading. I honestly think horror movies exacerbate her fears.

“You’re lying, but fine. We’ll watch sci-fi together.”

“Let’s do this. I’m ready. I won’t scream or hide!” Dele shouts.

“She’s excited, Luke,” he whispers.

“Yeah, until she starts to scream in her sleep.”

“Bye, Luke. You are disrupting our movie time.” He hangs up before I can say more. I hope he sticks to sci-fi. I decided to sweeten the deal for him and send him a text.

Me: Lunch and dinner for you and a friend on me.

Osei: Now you’re talking, bro. Sci-fi it is.

I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m tied up at the office and might get home late. Dele screaming in her sleep is never a good idea.

Chapter 60

LUKE

Dele is on her way to visit and have lunch with me today. It’s her first check-up after the surgery. I wanted to go with her, but she refused and insisted on going alone. She’s convinced I’d intimidate the doctor with my scowl. I’ve agreed on the condition that she calls me once she’s done with the update.

Right after the visit, she calls and tells me everything is good, and the doctor has given her permission to resume normal activities. Now she’s on her way here. Kevin has ordered the lunch Dele wants.

As soon as she walks in, she’s wearing black pants and a white silk blouse. Her full head of hair has my attention—it’s lovely, though it was in cornrows last night. She looks around my large office. “So this is where the decisions are made. I like it,” she says, taking one of the chairs facing my desk. She picks up the framed picture on my desk, the one Declan sent me.

“Do I get a kiss?” She sets the frame down.

“No.” I raise a brow. “It’s never just a kiss with you.” I laugh.

“A hug then?”

“Even that is questionable. Where’s the lunch you promised me?” I press my phone to call Kevin. He comes in with bags of food.

“It just arrived,” he says.

“Perfect,” Dele says, getting up to help Kevin. I watch as they set the food on the side table next to the loveseat in my office.

“Thank you,” Dele says to Kevin, who nods and leaves. I know he won’t let anyone in.

I get up from my desk and move to the sofa. Dele hands me chopsticks for ramen. I take them and plant a quick kiss on her lips.

“I always get a kiss,” I say to her. We eat lunch, and I ask more questions about her check-up.

“Everything is back to normal,” she says.

“Good, so we can resume normal activities.” I wink at her, making her shake her head and smile.

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