Page 10 of At His Wife's Behest

“When’s the last time you took a vacation?”

He considered the question. “We went to the Hamptons last summer.”

“Summer before last. With four kids under six in tow. That was work, not a vacation.” She peeked through the crack. “Arealvacation. Where you could relax and recharge. When was the last one?”

Before Abby was born.“I could ask you the same question.”

“Once all this craziness is over, I plan to take a vacation of my own. Greece sounds tempting. Maybe a private island where Mandy and I can disappear for a while.” She prodded his arm. “You need a little you time.”

“Think we can push it to summer? Then I could take Abby with me.”

“Youtime, Kel. Quiet, alone time. We’re about to go through a firestorm when we announce the divorce and again when I walk out hand-in-hand with Mandy. Take advantage of the calm before it.”

Alone? When was the last time he was completely alone? A week in Italy, though. Itwastempting. Work had been non-stop for months only to have the bedlam of Emma’s father’s passing added to. It was also a good reason to avoid his father, who was still harping about the campaign he refused to help with. “I’ve never been away from Abby that long.”

“She’ll survive a week with her mother. I promise.”

“I’ll have to see if I can wiggle time off at the last minute. I already had to take the time when Marshall passed.”

“Tell Cross that you need to handle something for your poor, stupid wife who doesn’t have a lick of sense. That’ll get him going,” Emma said. She leaned on the doorframe, watching as he picked a tie. “No, not that one, Mr. Colorblind.” She grabbed another. “This one. It compliments your blue eyes.” Shewrapped the tie around his neck and worked the knot. “I don’t know why you don’t just quit your job. I know you hate it there.”

“And do what? Can I be the new CEO of Shelby and Sons?” He sniggered. “Kind of funny that there’s no more sons left.”

“One of my father’s few regrets. They’d worked so hard. Years and years of fertility treatments. Miscarriage after miscarriage. It’s a miracle Mom had me at forty-three.” Emma brushed a hand down his tie to straighten it. “And then I show up with no Y chromosome.Sucha disappointment.” Emma chuckled. “When I come out, he’s going to spin so hard in his grave that they should hook him up and use him as a generator. Maybe I should suggest it to the board? Another revenue stream.”

“You’re terrible,” Kellan murmured through a smirk.

She pressed his tie down again. “Back to my question.”

“Hmm?” he asked, glancing in the mirror and straightening the tie.

“Quit.”

“And work where?”

“Be a man of leisure. We can globe-trot together.”

“One, we have a six-year-old. Two, we’re getting divorced.” He brushed past her with a pair of socks and shoes in hand and sat on the bench at the end of his bed.

Emma followed him out. “We could home school Abby from a luxury yacht in the Maldives.” She sat down beside him. “And divorce or no, you’re still my best friend. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he said, leaning his shoulder into hers. After pressing a kiss to her forehead, he added a missing piece. “Youforgot number three. You’re the new CEO and Chairman of the Board. You have responsibilities here. No globe-trotting for you.”

“Thanks for reminding me.”

Kellan drew on one sock and turned to eye her. “Welcome.”

She smiled. “So, it’s settled. You’re going to go to Italy and handle the house stuff while I stay here in estate purgatory.”

“I didn’t totally agree yet.”

“Come on…you know you wanna.”

Kellan sighed. “A vacationistempting.”

“Good. I’ll have all the arrangements made as soon as you tell me when you can get off.” She rose, striding for the door. “Or quit. Emphasis on the latter.”

Kellan chuckled, pulling on his shoes. Rising, he wished hecouldquit. With Emma’s newfound fortune, he could—but she would soon be his ex-wife and he wasn’t going to rely on her for his income. Was it pride? Sure. Kellan wanted to make his own way.

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