Page 75 of Marrying His Brother

But she’s quiet, her mind seemingly elsewhere, and I can feel the slight distance, even as I hold her close. For the rest of the evening, that same quiet lingers.

She smiles at the guests, nods when others speak to her, but she’s in another world, her focus turned inward.

While she’s talking to my mother, I notice Lisa at the bar counter nursing a drink. I head towards her. Even though she’s Emily’s best friend, we barely know each other, but, hopefully time will remedy that.

“Hey,” I say and she looks up at me and smiles.

“You guys did a fantastic job. It’s all over the internet,” Lisa says.

“Thank you.” The Army Base is not what I wanted to talk to her about. “I want to ask you something and I need you to be completely honest with me,” I say.

She suddenly looks uncomfortable, fidgeting. “Sure, Andrew, what is it?”

“It’s about Emily. Something is obviously bothering her and I can’t get it out of her. I want to make it better for her but I really need to know what’s going on?”

At first, I was poking in the dark, but, Lisa’s reaction confirms it for me. She looks like a trapped animal.

She takes a gulp of her drink and makes a show out of swallowing. I’m in no rush. I’ll wait for as long as necessary. I’m patient when I choose to be.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she says in a choked voice. “Today’s been a great day but tiring as well. Maybe that’s what you’re sensing from Emily.”

I lean on the counter and lock eyes with her. I hate that I’m putting her in this spot but she’s the only one who can help me right now.

“I know when my wife is tired,” I say. “This is not exhaustion bothering her. It’s something else.”

Lisa slides from her stool and stands up. “I really need to go to the washroom.” She flees, weaving between people as if she’s being chased.

I’m more puzzled than ever. Frustration grows inside me and I order a drink from the barman. As I sip on it, something dawns on me. I’m doing exactly what Emily accused me of doing when I renovated her apartment.

I’m attempting to control a situation.

If there’s something wrong, Emily will tell me herself in her own time. I drain the last of my whiskey. I’m going to trust her and believe that she can make her own decisions without me.

Eventually, the last of the guests say their goodbyes, and as the lights dim in the ballroom, Emily and I step out into the night.

The quiet of the evening feels soothing after the endless mingling, and I reach for her hand, feeling the coolness of her fingers against my own.

The drive home is peaceful, and I don’t push for conversation. I can sense her exhaustion, the weight of the day on her, and maybe it’s just that simple. It’s been an emotional night, full of nerves and excitement.

We pull into the driveway, and as we step out of the car, Emily’s phone rings, breaking the stillness of the night.

She looks up at me, apologetic. “It’s my mom. I’ll just talk to her, then join you inside?”

I nod, squeezing her hand. “Of course. Take your time.”

She gives me a small smile, gesturing for me to go ahead as she answers the call.

Inside, I head upstairs, exhaustion settling over me. A shower will perk me up. I’ve been looking forward to a private celebration withEmily. I step into the bedroom, pulling off my jacket and slowly unbuttoning my shirt, hoping she’ll join me soon.

I strip down, the cool air prickling my skin, but in the back of my mind, I imagine Emily here with me, close and warm.

I finish showering and wrapping myself in a towel, I step back into our bedroom. Emily hasn’t come yet.

I enter the bed naked and lay on my back, the events of the day running through my mind. The launch couldn’t have gone any more perfectly. My father called me aside and expressed his pride and confidence in me that Bennett Construction will be in safe hands in the future.

I didn’t get a chance to tell Emily. We have so much to talk about tonight, but first, we need to take care of this. I stare down at the tented duvet cover. I’ve never wanted my wife as I do tonight.

The door knob turns and the door opens.

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