Page 39 of Sincerely, Your Inconvenient Wife

“What consultants? What are you talking about?” Elise demanded of her brother.

He raised his chin toward me. “Rossi’s board hired consultants to go over Luca’s image. They wanted him to get married. And lo and behold, he’s suddenly married to Kelly, who’s adamantly against the institution but also has a dire habit of saying yes to shit she shouldn’t.”

Everyone went quiet, even the background noise. I glared at Elliot, annoyed at him for challenging me. If I’d expected him to flinch, I would have been disappointed. Luckily, I knew better than to expect Elliot Levy to back down.

Fucking Elliot and his logical, suspicious mind. I should have known he’d question us down to the bone. That was him. He’d had to grow up fast with only himself to rely on. He never took situations at face value.

Still, it pissed me off he was questioningmeafter all the years he’d known me.

But hell, maybe that was exactly why he was questioning me. He knew me too well.

Saoirse laughed the motherfucker right off without a beat of hesitation. “Did you really think I would buy a stranger a cheese board? That’s such a ‘couple’ gift. I’m surprised you didn’t guess right then and there. Luca and I were already together the last time we saw you.” She snuggled into me and laid her hand on my chest. “We met at a party and haven’t spent any time apart since. I apologize again for keeping it a secret, but we are married, and we hope you’ll support us. It would mean a lot if you did.”

She slid her hand up my neck to my jaw, turning me to face her, and pressed her lips to mine. The connection was soft and almost chaste, but she lingered so long I pulled her against me and wrapped her in my arms.

Her eyes fluttered open, locking on mine. We were too close for me to see her lips curve into a smile, but the glint in her eyes gave her away.

A loud clap interrupted the moment. “I’m convinced.” Miles rushed over and hugged us both at the same time. “Congrats. I wish you nothing but the best.”

Saoirse broke away from me to hug Miles fully, and I had to stop myself from yanking her back. Elise did the job for me, stealing her friend from Miles to embrace her. They whispered to each other, rocking back and forth. I left them to it, moving closer to West and Elliot.

“Prick move,” I gritted out.

Elliot blinked. “You have to agree the timing is suspect.”

Weston patted Elliot’s arm with the back of his hand. “Couldn’t it be the timing is a happy coincidence?” Then he narrowed his eyes on me. “So Saoirse is the blonde you told us about weeks ago? The last hurrah?”

I lowered my chin. “I said those things before I knew she’d be my wife, but yes. That was her. We’ve pretty much been together since then.”

“The consultants will be thrilled,” Elliot intoned.

I folded my arms over my chest. “I won’t askyouto be thrilled. I know that’s outside your wheelhouse. But how about keeping the smart-ass quips to yourself like a real friend? Can you do me that favor?”

He sighed and shoved his free hand into his pocket. “I don’t like being taken for a ride, Luca. If you’re on the level, I will wish you the best. But if this is all some elaborate cover and you’re standing there lying to my face, I won’t react well.”

Two years.I’d have to look my best friend in the face and lie to him for two years while hoping like hell he never found out the truth.

“I’ll accept your apology when you’re proven wrong.”

God, I am such an asshole. So far, nothing about being married had provided any relief. If anything, it had added another layer of problems to my already laden shoulders.

“It looks way too serious over here.” Saoirse came up beside me, circling her arms around my middle. “Are you going to feed me before I wither away, husband?”

Giving Elliot one final glare, I looked at Saoirse, who was currently the only reason anyone might believe our story. For the terrible liar she was, she was playing the role well.

“Of course I’m going to. I just found you. I can’t lose you now.”

Grinning, she pecked the hinge of my jaw. “Sweet husband.”

“Hearing you say that is going to take some getting used to,” Weston said.

“I’m practicing saying it myself,” Saoirse admitted.

Elliot continued being a suspicious asshole. “That’s what happens when you marry a stranger.”

Saoirse’s happy bounce deflated. “You know what might be nice? Some support. Luca and I didn’t come here today to ask you what you think of us together. We’re telling you it’s a done deal. You don’t understand it, and that’s fine. I guess, as a friend, it would be nice if you’d reserve your judgment.”

Elliot canted his head. “That’s fair.”

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