Page 85 of Wed to You-
He blanched at having his words thrown back at him.
“My part is to serve as your wife and a mother figure to Kaden.”
“That’s how you see things between us?”
“That’s how they are. I suspect your staff knows or guesses at the truth. I got a big payday without having to do too much. Mostly I play with Kaden. Plus I sleep with the boss. No wonder they don’t like me.”
“Don’t say it like that.” Anger reddened his cheeks. “You make it sound sordid.”
His response made her think he saw this as more than a marriage of convenience, but she quickly dismissed the thought. He was attracted to her, and probably cared for her as well. But it wasn’t love. She couldn’t let her silly dreams of a real family cloud the truth.
“Our sleeping together isn’t sordid, but it’s also not what this marriage is about. I forgot myself today. It’s not my place to challenge you, as I did earlier, and I should have no expectation to be treated better by your staff, since I’m essentially staff as well.”
His jaw clenched. “You were right that you need to be a part of this custody case. You’re my wife. You should expect the staff to respect that.” He stepped toward her, but she retreated.
“I play your wife, so I need to look and act the part, but I’m not your wife in the real sense of the word. Not in a way that gives me any power.”
He stared at her as if she’d grown a third eye. But he didn’t contradict her. He couldn’t, because she was right. She’d simply reiterated all they’d agreed to when they concocted this crazy plan. He met his part of the deal, and she’d do better to meet hers.
“I want you to share your ideas and opinions with me.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“I want you to feel comfortable living here. I want you to make cookies with Kaden or do whatever you want without being hassled by the staff. I’ll make sure they know that.”
Chelsea nodded, but she wasn’t going to hold her breath. Jagger stepped toward her again, and she retreated, lifting her hand to stop him.
“We’re back to that, then?” His dark blue eyes filled with fiery annoyance.
“Yes.”
He stepped back, taking a deep breath. He stared at her for a long moment. “For a moment, it was perfect.”
She wanted to ask him what he meant, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he turned away and headed back to his desk. “I’ve got some more work to do.”
“Yes, of course.”
The next weekuntil the court date, Chelsea worked harder to project the air of a loving wife, and Jagger didn’t push her to continue their affair. They were back to where they’d started.
On the morning of the court day, she stood in the closet, trying to figure out how to dress like a mom. Many of the moms she knew wore shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops during the summer, just like she did. Chelsea was certain that wasn’t what Mrs. Monroe meant by “dress like a mom.” The problem was, Chelsea didn’t have much else. As a teacher, she rarely had to dress up. Mostly she wore cropped or long pants. Her shoes mostly consisted of some variation of sneaker or flip-flop. Eventually, she chose a light blue skirt with a whitesleeveless blouse and white flats.
Jagger was quiet all morning and withdrew into a broody state the closer they got to the courthouse.
His lawyer met them out front. “She’s already here. There’s something I want to ask you before we go in.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Not a problem. She’s got Jacob Masters as her lawyer. He’s not cheap. I thought you said she didn’t have money.”
“She drives an old car so I didn’t think she had much. Maybe she has some left over from what my father gave her.”
“She’s working at a diner, so it’s strange she’d have the money for that caliber of lawyer.”
“Does he work pro bono?” Chelsea asked.
“Masters? No. I’ll look into where she might be getting the money.”
“I don’t think she ever sold drugs, but maybe she is now.” Jagger offered.
