Page 185 of The Wife Situation

Since we arrived, he’s been in a mood. You’d think we traded places, which is unusual. There is no good cop or bad cop in this acquisition. We’re both bad, and we take no shit from anyone.

“I’m ready to return to the city,” he admits, checking his watch before he moves his attention outside.

The sun is out, and giant clouds float in the light-blue sky.

“Not enjoying my company?”

My brother has always had fun during our travels, for work or not.

“No, I’ve missed meeting up with someone.”

“A woman?”

“No one,” he says, meeting my eyes, which is a mistake. I can read him better than anyone.

“You’relying,” I say nonchalantly.

“I see a lot of women, Easton.”

“You’re the one who said you missed someone. It’s not the meeting you miss; it’s the person,” I tell him. “So, who is it?”

I lock my phone and shove it in my pocket, interlocking my fingers as I give him my attention.

“Drop it,” he states, keeping his focus out the window.

I chuckle. “Interesting.”

The silence draws on for a few minutes.

“I’ll eventually find out who it is,” I confirm. “But I’ll let it be your secret for now.”

41

LEXI

It’s officially been twelve days since I saw Easton after he recklessly flew home to see me. While he’s been away, our days have been full of random, missed phone calls, FaceTime, and sex-toy play, where he’s at the controls.

At any minute, Easton will walk through that door to me after what feels like an eternity.

I’m holding a chocolate cupcake with a candle I haven’t lit yet. I’m wearing a black party dress, which he picked out, along with the black pendant necklace and earrings Easton gave me on our first date. With the room semi-dark, I feel like I’m center stage, and in a way, I am.

“He’s late,” I whisper, glancing down at my phone, then tuck it inside the pocket of my dress.

He’sneverlate, so while I’m tempted to text him, I won’t. This is another one of mybad timingthings—or at least that’s what my subconscious says.

As the knob turns, I light the candle. When his blue eyes meet mine, I see the fire burning behind them. That smirk I love so damn much finds his lips and e drops his briefcase on the floor and moves toward me in four long strides.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he says, his face being lit by the cupcake.

“Make a wish.” I hold it up for him.

“It came true just now. I’m home, and you’re here,” he says, kissing me first.

Easton closes his eyes and grins before blowing it out.

“Did you make it a good one?” I ask.

“Fuck yes. Thebestone,” he says, wrapping his arms around me.

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