Page 13 of The Imp Act

I slide my thumb along hers, comforting her. “Of course, I do. And I made it clear to her that you have no intention of quitting your job. She’ll get it through her head eventually.”

Noelle shrugs and grins. “It hardly matters. She’ll only be in my life for another nine months.”

I’m pretty sure she’s not counting down the days until she can escape, and yeah, she’s only referencing the deal I proposed, but her words make my stomach sink. I’ve known from the moment we said ‘I do,’ that I’d never let her leave me. I just…how can I tell her that? That we’re mates? That we’re meant to be together forever?

All she’s thinking about is clearing her debt and launching her line. I don’t want to distract her or make her worry that I’m not going to hold up my end of our bargain. I know she enjoys my company, and our sex life is…intense, but is that all it is for her?

How do I make her fall for me, once and for all? How do I get forever with her?

CHAPTER SEVEN

NOELLE

I never thought anything could make me hate the holiday season. It’s my favorite time of year: cool weather, sparkly lights, the scent of gingerbread and a sense of anticipation in the air. Shopping for your loved ones, eating pie until you think you might die. Opening presents and sharing stories around the fire. What could possibly tarnish that?

But it turns out, I was wrong. There is something that makes me hate all of it: marriage. Or, more specifically, my husband’s large and frustrating family.

Enzo, of course, is as wonderful as ever. Except…he’s taking everything in stride, rather than joining me in my stress bubble, and that’s a teensy bit annoying. For reasons I cannot fathom, we’re hosting the Feast of Remembrance, one of the major holidays in imp culture. It’s a gathering of family, a coming together to eat and reflect those who are no longer with us. Very specific cultural rituals are involved, including the preparation of a specific meal.

As the newest couple in the family, we’ve been given the ‘honor’ of hosting, which is ridiculous. It’s not enough that my home and appearance have to be perfect, that I have to put ona show as the perfect wife. Now I have to entertain the whole extended family while cooking a banquet?

So yes, I’m stressed for a reason. But Enzo couldn’t be calmer. He’s looking forward to it, certain that everything will be fine. His nonchalance makes me grit my teeth. I know he grew up with all this and it’s normal for him, but would it kill him to remember that I don’t know what the hell I’m doing? And that his mother dislikes me? And that this is all alot?

I stare at the list of recipes his mother sent over, then wander over to the room he’s converted into a home office as he tries to make sense of his new job.

“Enzo, I don’t know what any of these things are, much less how to make them. Besides, cooking isn’t exactly my forte.” I’ve been grateful to have a housekeeper since we got married; she handles the meals, so I haven’t had to worry about it. If it were up to me, we’d live on cereal and peanut butter. It’s possible Enzo knows how to cook. But I’ve never asked and he rarely volunteers.

“Not to worry. Mrs. Grimsby will help you. She knows how to make everything.”

“Yes, butI’msupposed to make it. Not Mrs. Grimsby, not you,me. Your mother said that was part of the tradition. Of course, if you had an imp wife like she wanted, this wouldn’t be an issue. I’m sure an imp wife would have been trained for years on how to prepare this feast.” It’s possible I sound bitter. I certainly feel it.

He shrugs. “So what? If it isn’t perfect, who cares? No one should expect you to master all this, especially on your first try. Don’t worry about what they think.”

I stare at him. How can he be so obtuse? “Are you kidding me? This is the biggest impression I’ll make on your family. Everything has to be just right.”

He sighs, truly not understanding my agitation. “Noelle, when did you start caring what my family thinks? This whole time, you’ve been happy to thumb your nose at them.”

I glance around, making sure our housekeeper is out of earshot. “That’s not true. I accepted that your mother would never like me, and I refused to give up my career, but otherwise, I’ve tried to be a dutiful in-law to all of them.” I have, it’s true, but it’s not like there have been ample opportunities for it. If I’m being honest, I’ve gone out of my way to avoid his family.

He stands and takes me by the shoulders, lowering his voice. “If we really end this marriage after a year, then this will be the only Feast of Remembrance you celebrate. It won’t matter what happens. Regardless of whether people love it or hate it, you won’t have to do it again. So please, stop freaking out about it.”

I do, momentarily, but only because he said something that makes me freak out even more. “What do you mean,ifwe end this marriage in a year? Are you having doubts or second thoughts?” I cannot afford for him to back out and stop paying my bills. Not now, when my fashion line is closer to being real than ever before.

He runs a hand through his dark hair, tousling it in a way I’d find sexy if I weren’t in full panic mode. It’s something he does when he’s frustrated. Our marriage may be fake, but I’m learning a lot about my husband, those little quirks you pick up on when you live with someone.

“No, of course not,” he says. “I should have phrased that differently. I just mean, this is the only time you have to deal with this, so stop sweating it. Tell Mrs. Grimsby to make the food and clean the house. That’s what Mother pays her for. All you have to do is show up, look like your gorgeous self, and act like you adore me.” He winks. “Should be a piece of cake.”

I take a deep breath. As much as I’m not a fan of Mrs. Rossetti’s live-in spy, I can hardly just hand over everything toher. But I have no choice in asking for her help. I can’t do any of this without her.

It’s truly annoying. I have my first fashion show lined up for March, and although it will be a small showing, it’s a big deal to me. I’d rather be spending every available minute refining my designs and working on my runway pieces. Not cooking for a bunch of people who hate me.

But maybe…maybe they don’tallhate me. Maybe there’s someone I can call for help.

Enzo has three sisters, after all. They were nice enough to me on my wedding day. Sienna was even kind. Surely when she got married, she had to go through all this, except she would have been properly prepared.

I leave Enzo to his spreadsheets and call her immediately.

“Hello? Noelle?” She seems surprised to hear from me, which is fair. We haven’t really spoken since the wedding.

---