Page 61 of This Means War

“It sounded like something Ashley would say, and I figured that’s why you weren’t more upset when she said no, because her no was more like a ‘no for now.’”

“You want the truth, Josh? Ashley did tell me I needed a practice marriage before she married me, but I thought that was probably the stupidest thing I’d ever heard. That’s why I wasn’t more upset when she said no, because I realized she wasn’t the one for me. You know who is the one for me though? Your sister.”

Josh stares at me, arms still folded across his chest, but they fall to his sides as he says his next words. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying? Do you lo–”

“Love Lydia,” I finish for him, a thrill of pleasure running through me at having said the words out loud for the first time. “Yes, I love her, okay? More than I ever thought I could love someone. Accidentally getting her pregnant was the best mistake I ever made.”

Josh swallows so hard I see his Adam’s apple bob. “And Lydia knows about everything with Ashley?”

It’s my turn to squirm. “Not yet, but I’m going to tell her. I just need to find the right time. I’m worried she won’t believe me.” I look down at the floor. “I haven’t even told her I love her yet,” I admit. “I’m worried she won’t believe that either.”

Josh raises an eyebrow. “Maybe you need to do more than just tell her you love her, maybe you need to show her.”

Chapter 44

Cole

Josh’s words followme all the way to Saul’s office. We ended up making plans for him and Delia to come over for dinner; Josh promising he wouldn’t mention any of the Ashley stuff to Lydia so long as I agreed that I would tell her sooner rather than later. The burden of that agreement weighs heavily on me as I enter Saul’s building and head towards the elevator bank. Before I can tell Lydia about what happened with Ashley, I have to do like Josh said and show Lydia that I love her. I didn’t exactly grow up in a demonstrative home, so I’m at a loss as to how to go about proving to Lydia that my feelings for her are genuine.

If Hallmark is to be believed, buying a girl flowers and chocolate is a good way to show her you care, but honestly, that seems both inadequate and unoriginal. If Hollywood is to be believed, then I should make plans to meet her at the top of the Empire State building or, I don’t know, stop an airplane mid-flight so I can come home and tell herI love her. Unfortunately, we live in Holland. The tallest building is a condo complex downtown. Not exactly romantic. As for the airplane idea, I’m pretty sure a sky marshal would have no qualms about arresting me if I said even one word about turning the plane around. Hallmark and Hollywood won’t help me here. I’m going to have to come up with something on my own.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that I almost miss one of the elevator doors opening to take me up. With a shake of my head, I step inside. Right now, I just need to focus on this meeting with Saul.

“Hold that door,” a familiar voice calls, and I look up to see Ashley hurrying towards me. White hot anger grips me as she slides in next to me and smiles sweetly.

“Hey, Cole, long time no see.”

“What are you doing here?” I demand tersely. “This is my meeting.”

“Saul is my client too, Cole.” Ashley frowns. “Gosh, what’s with the attitude? Honestly, I was just trying to help. I wasn’t sure you’d even make it to this meeting. You’ve been so wrapped up with your fake marriage lately.” She lifts a manicured finger and runs it over the silver band that encircles my left ring finger.

“There’s nothing fake about my marriage to Lydia.” I jerk my hand away from her. “And I’m the one who scheduled this meeting, so obviously you knew I’d be here.”

Ashley sighs dramatically. “Fine, you caught me.It was my plan all along to accost you in an elevator.” Her lips curve into a devious smile. “Actually, now that I say that out loud, I like that plan.” Her gaze shifts to the control panel and she inches closer to it, hand raised to press the alarm button. “Maybe we could get stuck in here,” she whispers huskily, “work on a little merger of our own.”

“Ashley that’s enough.” I pivot to block her from pressing any buttons at all. “I’m not interested. I’m happily married and you–”

“Happily married!” Ashley interrupts with a snort. “C’mon, Cole. You don’t have to pretend with me. I get that you’re putting on this whole happy marriage act for your campaign, but you can drop that when it’s just you and me. You got Lydia pregnant, so you married her. I get it.” She takes a step toward me. “I’m willing to wait for you until after the election, Cole. I know what I said about you working too much before, but I’m over that. I swear. Once you’ve been elected mayor and Lydia is out of the picture, then you and I can focus on each other. Together we can take the Senate.” She raises her eyes to meet mine, but I shake my head and look away in disgust.

“Enough,” I growl. “Get it through your head, Ashley; Lydia will never be out of the picture. And if you don’t stop telling Delia and whoever else, that I have some ludicrous plan to leave Lydia for you, I’ll–” I don’t get a chance to make my threat, because quite suddenly Ashley throws herself at me, pressing her lips against mine and wrapping her arms around myneck with a vice grip not unlike a cobra’s. Instantly my hands fly up and push her away, breaking her grasp on me just as the elevator doors open revealing the shiny marble floors of Saul’s office lobby. Across the open space, Saul’s secretary Lisa looks up from her desk with a welcoming smile, her lips faltering slightly as she takes in Ashley’s heaving chest and my angry expression.

“Cole, Ashley, everything okay?”

“Just some elevator trouble,” I reply, pasting a smile on my face. I may be livid at Ashley for what just happened, but having it out in the lobby of our biggest client’s office will just make things worse.

“He says trouble, I say fun.” Ashley winks at Lisa as she dabs her lips with her fingertip, and I forget about not making things worse.

“What is wrong with you?” I hiss at Ashley under my breath.

“Not here, Cole.” She smirks at me before sashaying over to Lisa’s desk. “Can you tell Saul we’re here, Lisa?”

“Of course.” Lisa looks taken aback at our exchange, but, ever the professional, she picks up her phone and dials Saul. I’m not finished with Ashley, though. I pull her back from the desk and stare her down.

“I’m not doing this meeting with you, Ashley,” I keep my voice low, but firm. “So either you go or I go.”

A flicker of annoyance crosses Ashley’s features, but then she crosses her arms and replies coolly, “Fine, then go.”

She thinks I’m bluffing. I’m not.

---