Page 52 of Devour

“We met Ash through his sister, then we all became friends.” I smiled. “And we stayed friends.”

Hubs smiled along with me, but remained unamused. “We stayed close.”

“Yes, even after you graduated and went off to seminary,” I said.

“Oh, you’re ordained?”

Hubby nodded before downing the rest of his glass. “Deacon,” he said. “Still clergy, but some differences.”

Well, unsurprising to anyone who heard the conversation, but this guy had been trying to figure out all evening where each of us stood. He had since decided Eli must be a very tolerant friend and that he and I weren’t together—which was correct, yet also so very far from the truth.

“What do you do, Rhory?”

“Whatever and whoever I want.”

And hubby helped himself to more of the wine carafe at our table at my answer.

“Part of your charm.” Hubs did not complain outwardly, but inside he shared a lengthy and aggravated sigh.

Giving me a hard no? I turned right to him and smiled.

When have I ever wasted one like that?

Never?

Exactly.

And he went back to the wine. The main course had yet to arrive, so hubby should probably slow down just a smidge.

Hotel is within walking distance. His retort came with another long sip from his glass.

Keep in mind we only got one room.

Now that warrants a hard no. If you’re that hungry, go get full somewhere else.

Ouch, hubby. I knew what he meant, but still.

“And what will you be doing tonight?”

What will I be doing tonight? My gaze met Eli’s, but he had too much practice playing it cool to crack so easily.

Whatever you want, per usual.

“Haven’t decided yet,” I said with another wide smile. Hubs really and truly wouldn’t stop me from doing whatever I wanted… except when it came to him.

“Anything I could do to change that?”

Hubby snorted. Not mentally as he usually would when privately annoyed, but audibly.

And the other guy absolutely noticed.

Not much I could do about it other than roll my eyes and return to the conversation at hand. “Depends on what you’re proposing.”

“Whatever you want.” Such a long pause. “Unless someone won’t let you.”

Hubby somehow managed a smile before leaning across me to address the other guy. “Rhory does what he wants. Not what I let him.”

Ah, yes, the beauty of free will.

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