Page 56 of Impending Consent

"I've been looking at your portfolio and I think you're exactly what we need for our new home. We're finishing a renovation in Virginia-Highland and want custom built-ins for the library and primary bedroom."

"When were you thinking of starting?"

"As soon as possible. The contractors finish next week and we'd like to move in by the end of the month. Could you come by and look at the space? Maybe tomorrow or Monday?"

I mentally checked my schedule. "I could do Monday morning."

"Perfect. I'll text you the address. My wife has some specific ideas she'd like to discuss in person."

"Sounds good. I’ll see you both on Monday.” I ended the call and lifted my eyes when I heard the workshop door. Sailor stood in the doorway, dressed in yoga pants and one of my T-shirts. Her hair was piled on top of her head and she was rocking her glasses. As sexy as Sailor was dressed to humble people in the courtroom, this look was my favorite. Mostly because she was comfortable enough to exist like this around me.

"Were you busy?" Her eyes dropped to my phone and I shook my head.

"Potential client. Custom built-ins for a house in Virginia-Highland."

She stepped further into the shop and examined the table. “This is pretty."

"So are you."

She grinned and ran her fingers over the wood. Since being here, she rarely came into my workspace. The separation was Sailor’s way of keeping her distance from the reality of this marriage.

"I'm about to start getting ready for dinner at my parents'.”

“I’ll be right behind you. What time do we need to leave?"

"Six-thirty. My father hates tardiness almost as much as he hates surprise marriages," she added dryly.

I chuckled because she was really stressing this shit. I was not. "I'll be in soon. Just need to shut everything down out here."

She nodded, lingering for a moment. "It really is beautiful. The table."

"If you play your cards right, Mrs. Hassan, maybe we can get you something custom for your office."

"Maybe.” She turned to leave but paused. "My father can be intense. Don't take anything he says personally."

"I can handle your father, Sail.”

She didn't look convinced but smiled and left. After I was done, I headed back to the house, taking a shower and dressing in a suit which felt like overkill but I was gonna rock with it to avoid making this even more stressful to Sailor.

"You wanna tell me again why the fuck we have to be so dressed up?" I adjusted my tie for the third time, hating this shit more each time I tied it wrong. Give me jeans and a T-shirt any day over this.

Sailor stepped in the bathroom doorway dressed in a form-fitting white dress that hugged her body, raking her fingers through her hair that she’d spent the last hour straightening. Another sign that she was anxious about tonight. Since she’d been here I had gotten used to her curls.

"Because my father expects it. In the Addison household, family dinner means formal attire. Always has." She crossed the room, stepped in front of me, and began adjusting my tie.

"Even when it's just the family?"

"Especially then. It's about standards. My father believes in presenting your best self, even to those closest to you."

"Is that why you're so nervous? Because you feel like you won’t be presenting your best self tonight?"

"I'm not nervous."

"You've changed shoes three times and I'm pretty damn sure you've been rehearsing what to say in your head since you woke up."

"Okay, fine. I'm nervous. My father is going to tear this marriage apart and there's not much to defend."

"You don't need to defend anything. We're adults, Sail. We made a choice to be married."

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