Page 37 of Papers Don't Lie

Oh. He knew where he was going with what he said because the reason that’s keeping me awake is clearly embarrassing. If I tell him this, how can I ever face him again if his answer isn’t like the one I hope? Or worse, what if he gives me something I’m afraid to get?

“You can tell me, and I’ll tell you too.”

My first instinct is to say his promise doesn’t mean anything to me, but then I remember he made one to me and kept it with ease. I sit down next to him on the edge of the bed, nodding in the dark.

“I kept thinking about what you said at our elopement,” I admit.

He’s silent for a few beats. “Me too.”

My eyes snap in surprise to him. His own words are the reason he can’t sleep? He might’ve regretted them badly then.

“Yeah, I know you didn’t mean to say—”

“Don’t put words into my mouth,” he interrupts me. “I never say things I don’t mean, Esmeray, remember that.”

My skin prickles under the intense stare of his eyes, and I swallow the dryness in my throat. “You are married to someone who you don’t love and who carries heavy emotional baggage with her as well,” I tell him, then drop on my back at his feet, glancing at the ceiling.

“Emotions have never scared me before.”

After that, we settle into a comfortable silence, which I use in an attempt to figure him out. Kai Graves is an enigma, and he’s my husband. If his wife doesn’t know him, who does?

“Why is this marriage a gift to you?” I murmur, but he’s not moving anymore, so I think he fell asleep.

How weird is this fate? I’m married to the man who ran me over with his car and is ultimately a stranger, but I find myself excited at the idea of the unknown and pure madness behind this.

“Because I don’t feel so alone anymore.” His thick voice surprises me. “My brain is quieter since you stepped inside my house.” He talks quietly, as if even the walls of this room shouldn’t hear. I can’t help but notice there’s far more than he’s saying.

What could that be?

“I hope this ends well for the both of us,” I whisper, my eyes still pointed at the ceiling.

“As long as you don’t fall for me,” I hear him say, a hint of a smile mirroring his words.

Because the reality of that idea seems too far away, I dance around the subject like I always do. “Remember, you’re eight years older than me, Mr. Graves.”

He laughs, filling the silence. “That didn’t stop you before.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, faking a gasp.

“You kissed me a few hours ago. Do I need to take you to the hospital for a check-up, Ray? I’m getting worried about how easily you’re forgetting things.”

I get up on the edge of the bed and slap him on the shoulder. “No, I didn’t!Youkissedme.”

He shrugs, then turns his back to me, curling up with a blanket between his knees. “If that makes you sleep at night, you’re allowed to believe it.”

TWENTY

KAI

“I’m serious, Kai. If that’d make your dad happy, we should do it," Esmeray says, watching herself in the mirror as she ties a bow in her hair.

When we got home from Los Angeles, Dad was waiting like a child on Christmas at the door, demanding us to tell him when we were going to have a wedding. On our way back, both Esmeray and I decided a wedding celebration wasn’t the right choice, but it seems like she’s willing to do anything to make an old man happy. My father didn’t push me when she was with us, but I was called to his room two minutes after I walked up the stairs, asking me to reconsider.

I just got back and told Esmeray about it, who’s getting ready for dinner.

“Only if it’s something that you want. No one can force you to do anything, not even my father,” I tell Esmeray, waiting for her at the door so we can go downstairs where everyone is waiting.

“It’s fine.” She smiles, taking her red lipstick once again and applying an unnecessary layer. “We should do it.”

---