Page 176 of The Wife Situation

“I need you both to fly to South Africa in the morning. You’ll be there for two weeks. A few mines are being sold and we’ve been offered acquisition before the sale goes public,” he explains. “It’s an incredible opportunity for us. I’m sending a team of geologists and surveyors to join you. Purchase it cheaper than the original offer by at least twenty percent. Oh, and, Easton, leave your wife at home. I need your head in the game withoutanydistraction.”

My jaw clenches tight and Weston glances at me. The two of us hold a silent conversation.

“What time is the flight tomorrow?” Weston asks.

“Be at the airport at four in the morning,” he confirms.

Both of us stand, and neither of us says anything else.

When we’re in the hallway, Weston meets my gaze.

“I’m fuckinglivid.”

“They say distance makes the heart grow fonder.” He pats my shoulder, but I brush him off.

“I’m going home,” I say, not caring what time it is or what else is on my agenda. If I’m leaving in twelve hours, I will spend every spare second I have with my wife.

“See ya bright and early.” Weston turns and walks in the opposite direction.

My driver waits for me outside and so does Brody. The drive to the Park Tower takes too long.

When I finally arrive at the diamond in the sky, Lexi is on the couch, reading a book:Screenwriting for Dummies.

“You’re home early.” She sits up, grinning.

She meets me at the door, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“What’s wrong?”

Shedoessee me.

“I have to leave in the morning. I’m being sent to South Africa for two weeks for a mine acquisition. I’m sorry, darling, but you can’t join me. My father … made it a goddamn point to say so.”

Her brows furrow, but she forces a smile. “It’s fine. Not a big deal. I have a lot of shit I need to take care of anyway, like changing my name.”

I hold her tighter against me. “Alexis Calloway. Love the sound of it.”

“Maybe I’ll be your cam girl while you’re gone. Give you something to look forward to.”

I capture her mouth. “I’ll miss you.”

“What did you say to me … enjoy the moments while we have them? Let’s do that because I can see that you’re counting down the hours in your head.”

“You’re right, and we have less than twelve hours before I have to leave.”

Of course I’m counting.

She wraps her arms around my neck and I rest my hands on her waist. “I guess you’ll sleep on the plane because I’m not wasting another second.”

“It’s like you’re reading my mind, Lexi.”

“I am,” she confirms.

It’s nearly three in the morning, and we’re lying on our backs, staring at the ceiling, our bodies covered in sweat from rolling with each other all night.

This woman is my weakness.

My alarm will sound in ten minutes, then I’ll leave for the airport. My body begs for sleep, and I’ll find it as soon as I board.

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