Page 30 of Impending Consent

“Your mother spent the day at the spa with her nosy friends. I promised to pick up dinner.” He smiled smugly because he didn’t like any of the women my mother coveted as friends. He said they were jealous and bitter since he and my mother were happy while they were in miserable marriages. I agreed. “Who’s this?”

His eyes landed on Rival and another wave of panic flooded my system. “Uh, a friend…”

“A friend?” Rival growled lowly from beside me and my entire body stiffened.

“Well… not just a friend. You remember me telling you about the guy building the custom shelving at my place, this is him. Rival Hassan. He’s amazing.”

I turned, offering Rival a stiff smile and pleading eyes. I would die if he told my father the true nature of our current situation. I would have to fill my parents in at some point, but not tonight, not like this, not without a well thought out plan.

I wasn’t prepared to broach the topic of my egregious error in judgment, the way I compromised our family, and most of all, the disappointment that would stem from all of the above. Sailor Addison didn’t fear or cower to anyone except Torrance Addison Sr.

“Oh, that’s right.” He stepped closer and extended a hand to Rival followed by an introduction. “Torrance Addison, pleased to meet you, Rival. My baby girl spoke quite highly of you.”

“Did she?” Rival’s tone was level, eerily calm considering the position I placed him in. I had no right to lie or conceal the truth because I wasn’t exactly lying, but shit, what else was I to do in such an unwelcome situation?

“She did but I thought Sky mentioned you completed the job. Are you working on something new?”

“You could say that,” Rival stated arrogantly. My father didn’t miss the implication. His eyes slowly moved between us.

“Don’t let us hold you,” I quickly rattled off. My father’s eyes narrowed just a bit before he nodded.

“Our order’s probably ready by now. Your mother hates when I take too long and the food is cold.” He stepped to me, kissed my cheek, and nodded at Rival.

“We’ll talk soon, Sail. It was nice meeting you, Rival.”

Rival didn’t speak, only offered a nod.Shit, he’s pissed.

After my father was inside the restaurant, my husband, my very annoyed husband, headed back to the car. I reluctantly followed. After we were seated inside and he still hadn’t said a word, I tried to gauge just how pissed he truly was.

“Tonight wasn’t the right time to…”

“Tell your father I’m your husband, not your friend or gotdamn handyman.”

“Rival…”

A heated glare landed on me before he turned out of the parking lot onto the street. “You’re right, tonight wasn’t the time.”

He drove in silence for another fifteen minutes before I spoke again. “You’re angry.”

“I’m not angry.”

“You are.”

He exhaled a sigh. “I can’t expect you to dive right in and accept the consequences of your actions, Sailor. This is not what you wanted. Telling your father we’re married in the parking lot of your favorite restaurant when all he was expecting to do was pick up takeout for dinner is not the right way to drop this on him.”

“I’ve accepted the consequences of my actions. I’m fucking here, Rival,” I hissed, holding up my hand seconds after. “I’m wearing your ring. How much more acceptance can there be?”

“You’re here because I didn’t give you a fucking choice, not because this is what you want.” He glared my way briefly then I had his profile.

He was angry, or hurt, or disappointed. Possibly all three and that bothered me. I cared about his feelings, however not enough to face off with my father which made me feel like shit.

“I apologize and you’re right.”

“I know I’m right and don’t apologize. I knew this wouldn’t be a gotdamn cakewalk.”

“But…”

“I’m fine, Sailor. I’m not angry. We had a good day, let's not ruin it.”

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