Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Since they were out of town for a long stretch of away games, they haven’t been around for more than a week. I glance around the bar, checking for, well, Sebastian and his spies, but seeing only familiar faces. Still, I lean in and lower my voice. “It’s an arrangement. We needed to do it for this business thing,” I say, explaining a few more details.
“A marriage of convenience,” Hayes confirms when I’m done.
“Yes. It is.” I run my finger absently over my wedding band.
Hayes chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. “And you gave me a hard time when I accidentally married Ivy in Vegas once upon a time, then told the team owner we were happy newlyweds.”
Stefan clears his throat. “Now, now, Hayes. That was you putting your foot in your mouth with the owner when you and Ivy were on the way to get an annulment.” Stefan will probably never stop teasing Hayes about how the fake real marriage transpired.
Hayes arches an eyebrow at Stefan. “And we all enjoyed the benefits of my wife. Now, our wife.” He spins his focus back to me. “But also, you gave me a hard time.”
I nod, owning it. “I did.”
“I guess it’s payback time.”
“Sure, give me hell about how a smarmy, oily, man threatened her business because she wouldn’t sell it to him, and I stepped up and married her to protect our families,” I say, bring it on style.
Hayes lifts a finger, parts his lips, then says, “Well played, sir. And on that note, I’ll take a pale ale.”
I turn to Stefan. “Stout for you, Viking?”
“That’d be great.”
After I pour their beers and set them down, Hayes shoots me a quizzical look. “But is this really just a business deal? You’re into this woman, aren’t you?”
More than I ever expected to be. But I’m curious how he figured that out so quickly. “How can you tell?”
Hayes swallows some beer, then sets the glass down. “The way you’re showing off your ring. You’re proud of it. Proud of her.”
Stefan whistles. “Damn, that’s some serious emotional intelligence,” he says to Hayes.
I’m a little floored myself. I peer down at the gold on my finger, then rub my thumb over it once more. I do like it. I am proud of it. He’s not wrong. I meet his gaze. “Yes, but a deal’s a deal.”
I have to say it for myself more than them. To remind myself that we made a business deal. To grow Sticks and Stones. To help Elodie’s Chocolates. To gain financial security for our kids. We’re just two single parents trying to stay ahead.
The other reminders come all night in a packed bar. Business has been slowly but steadily picking up since Elodie and I opened Special Edition a couple weeks ago. I can’t complain about the increase in revenue.
And I can’t complain about the email that arrives from Celeste the next time I check my phone. It’s short and to the point.
I am impressed with Special Edition. Keep it up.
I can’t wait to tell Elodie. When I head home a little later, eager to sneak into bed and let her know, I pass The Chocolate Connoisseur on the way.
A new sign in the window reads Half Off Everything.
I groan. That guy can’t leave well enough alone.
32
POP-UP HUSBAND
Elodie
It’s a spicy kind of evening at Special Edition, since that’s our theme for this weekend.
Gage serves a jalapeño margarita along with a firecracker strawberry daiquiri.
“Oh! What’s bringing the heat?” a woman in rose-gold glasses asks as she takes a drink of the pretty red cocktail with the kick.
“Cayenne pepper,” he says proudly from behind the counter.
“Bring it on,” the woman says, then heads to a table with her friends. As they drink, they snap pictures of their reactions—a lot of hands flapping in front of faces and oh-oh-ohs moaned loudly.
“It’s the universal code for I drank something fiery or I’m feeling really, really good,” I say to Gage, feeling saucy tonight.
I guess good sex every day will do that to you. Every night too. Living with this man just has its perks. But there’s no time to linger in sex memories when I’ve got a line of customers eager for my contributions to our fiery Friday night menu.
I plate some of my cinnamon and cayenne pepper truffles for a pair of couples on a double date, I suspect, telling them, “Enjoy the heat.”
“We will,” one of the women says.
When there’s a brief break in the line, I turn to my…husband. I’m still getting used to that term. Temporary husband, I remind myself.
Like this shop is temporary. A pop-up shop and a pop-up husband. I grin.
Gage swipes a thumb across my bottom lip. “What’s that smile for?” He dips his voice. “You thinking of how I woke you up this morning?”
Electricity sparks down my spine. This man and his appetite. Well, it matches mine.