Page 57 of Marry Lies
Because I don’t like it when people touch my things.
When I’m finished, I’m oscillating between begrudging him for his audacity and calming the flutters in my core.
You think I don’t know that you’re mine?
I take some more deep breaths as I exit the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror leaning against the darkened hallway. I start to wonder why I thought the pink lip gloss was a good idea. Why I pulled the tight skirt on. Why I went through the effort of straightening my hair, making it fall to my waist in thick, straight lines.
Why am I doing all of this for him?
Marriage is about compromises, but it sure seems like I’m doing a hell of a lot of the compromising lately. And yet, whenoneperson talks to me—respectfully, I might add—Miles acts jealous?
Fuck. That.
Walking out of the bathroom, I make my way back to the table slowly. My eyes catch on the server as I move, and I glance over at our table to see Miles watching me. Smirking, I change directions and head for the server. He’s walking away from a table, so I jog to catch up with him.
“Hey,” I tell him, tapping his shoulder.
He turns to face me, eyes wary. “Hey, look. I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
“No, you don’t have to apologize. My husband, he’s…” I trail off. “Anyway, I’m sorry. He shouldn’t have threatened you.”
The server gives me a warm smile as he flips his blonde hair. “Thanks. He seems to love you a lot.”
I scoff. “Yes, well…thank you for understanding. Have a good night, okay?”
He gives me a warm smile. “You too. If you’re ever in the mood for a proper chippy, feel free to come back any time.” He glances over my shoulder. “As a friend,” he clarifies. “You may want to tell your jealous husband that last bit, yeah?”
Without another word, he turns and walks away.
I spin around with a large grin.Ha, take that, you jealous arsehole.My eyes catch on Miles instantly. A shadowed, dark look flits across his face—almost like he’s in pain. I go still and the smile drops off my face when he locks eyes with me—and not because he’s angry, like I expected.
No, what makes me stop in my tracks is the turbulent expression marring his features.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
THE REALIZATION
Miles
I nurse my beer, sipping slowly as Estelle laughs with Chase and Juliet. I want to join in, but all I can think about is what she said to thefuckingserver. I refused to ask, internally citing my pride. They didn’t talk for long, but I can’t stop the possibilities running through my mind. He’s English, so obviously she has that in common with him. He’s young, like her. Even though she’s only eight years younger than me, it’s still significant enough for me to wonder if she would have more in common with someone closer to her age.
And, unlike me, he didn’t seem to be scarred beyond recognition.
Perhaps Estelle deserves to be with someone more like him. A friendly server at a pub instead of a damaged CEO. Someone who would understand her damn cookie and tea obsession. Someone who doesn’t work eighteen hour days.
Someone who doesn’t hole themselves in their office to avoid her.
And, most importantly, someone who doesn’t lie to her.
“Miles.”
I snap my head up as Juliet watches me with concern. “Sorry,” I tell her. “Long day at the office.”
My eyes flick to Chase. He watches me with narrowed eyes but doesn’t say anything.
“I don’t know anyone who works as much as you,” Estelle chimes in, sipping her cider.
“Chase used to be like that,” Juliet offers her. “But I made him start working normal hours. Which is still sixty hours a week,” she adds, smirking.
