Page 47 of The Wife Situation

That twinkle in her eye, the one I recognized in the photos of us posted online, returns. This time, I don’t miss it.

“Why are you smiling like that?” she asks as our spaghetti and giant meatballs are slid in front of us.

“No reason.” I offer a thank you to the guy who delivers our meal. We both reach for the silverware. “So,Alexis, what did you do today?”

Her lip twitches, and she lets out a humph, but it’s adorable.

“Why do I have a sneaking suspicion that you know what I did today?”

“I have a bodyguard watching you for your protection.”

She grins mischievously. “Really? Did your guard dog tell you I went to my fuck buddy’s place?”

“Never thought I’d meet an actress who’s a terrible liar.” I lift a brow. “But youshouldknow, I’mveryjealous about what’smine,and soon, that might include you.”

I know this dance; it’s a classic, and we’re already spinning together—something we shouldn’t do—but the temptation and her willingness to bust my balls every chance she gets encourage it.

“We might have more in common than we think,” she says, twirling the spaghetti around her fork as she takes a bite.

I check my watch; it’s the first time I’ve looked since I picked her up. “I have an engagement party to attend at seven thirty.”

She unlocks her phone, glancing at the time. “That’s intwohours.”

“I know,” I admit. “I need a plus-one. Do you have plans?”

“It sounds like I do now.”

A sly grin touches my lips. “It’s your decision, but I’d love to introduce you to my friends.”

“Wait, you havefriends?” The sarcasm drips from her tone. “I heard you were a recluse.”

I nod. “Soon, you’ll learn that people see what I allow. I try to protect those I care about as much as possible. A lot of my life stays private.”

She twirls the spaghetti noodles on her fork and takes another bite. “So, tell me about tonight.”

“It’s a test to see if my closest friends believe our façade. If they don’t, we should call it quits before we waste any more time.”

She smiles. “Luckily for you, I’malwaysaudition ready.”

“Lucky me,” I say.

Eventually, she’ll be able to read me like a book, like those fictional billionaires she’s obsessed with.

“That was a truth,” she mutters, and I tilt my head at her. Maybe she already can.

I nod and glance down at my wrist, knowing my grandfather’s watch is the only reason we met. The thought encapsulates me.

“Love is always on time,” I mutter with a huff.

“Yeah. I read that on the back of your watch when Istoleit,” she says with a playful eye roll.

“But what if it is?” I question, wishing I knew the answer.

We stare at each other for a few seconds too long.

“When you look at me like that, it’s like you’re reading my mind,” she says.

The temperature rises in the room. I remove my rider jacket and set it next to me.

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