Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
“I think I’ll take it back—”
His whole fucking being bristled the moment he heard her say the words. “Fuck no.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
Valerian knew the way he was acting made no sense at all. But he didn’t give a damn. “You can’t take them back.”
“B-But—”
“You already said what you said,” he spelled out grimly. “So just learn how to fucking deal—”
Poppy suddenly cupped his cheeks. “You got it all wrong.”
“Did I? Really?”
She nodded vehemently. “I’m taking the words back because I realize I don’t think I’m in love with you—”
His chest tightened upon hearing this. Was he actually feeling...hurt?
“Rather, I’m sure of it. I am in love with you.”
Fuck.
“But don’t worry,” she assured him. “I’m not expecting you to say it back. I just wanted—no, I just needed to say it.”
His wife laid her head against his chest, and even though she didn’t say anything else, he heard her heart saying it all the same.
I love you.
And that was why he was fucked.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
It didn’t make sense at all when he thought of how he only had marriage to his ex in mind for the past eight years.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
It was like he had learned nothing at all from Camelia’s betrayal.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
But with his wife in his arms, there was no escaping the truth.
He might be in love with her, too.
Chapter Twenty
VALERIAN CALLED FOR a break in the conference room when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He missed his wife like crazy, but it was also for her safety that he insisted she fly back to New York the day after their wedding.
They had only been apart for ten days, but he could no longer remember what life was without her.
She was the first thing he thought about in the morning, the last thought he had before falling asleep. But when he told his wife this in one of their late-night FaceTime calls, her reaction had been unexpected, to say the least.
It’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me—
When you say it like that, I’m thinking I should take it back.
But please don’t be mad if I can’t say the same thing?
I’m officially taking it back. Also, are you saying you’re thinking of someone else before you think of me?
Yes?
What the hell, Poppy?
It’s not what you think, I swear! It’s just...the moment I wake up, I thank God for a good night’s sleep. I thank Him for the chance to live another day...and for you. I can’t thank Him enough for you, and it’s the same thing before I go to bed.
Poppy wasn’t the first girl he had dated who talked about God and faith. But his wife was definitely the first one to speak of God like He was a part of her everyday life. And then there were her daily texts of Bible verses, which even came with short funny reflections and always capped off by discussion questions like they were a two-member book club.
A wry smile tugged at his lips as he remembered this, and amusement still colored his voice as he answered her call.
“Good morning, wife.”
“Good morning, husband.” Her voice was a mixture of shyness and giddiness, and the sound still turned him on like no other. “You sound like you’re in a really good mood.”
“I’m always in a good mood when talking to you.”
“Why do I feel like you're secretly laughing at me again?”
“I’m not.”
“You promised you’d never lie to me.”
“And I’m not.”
“Oh.”
“Since I’m obviously laughing at you, not secretly.”
HEATHER JOINED HER sister-in-law for lunch and tried not to wince at what she saw. “Being in love does not suit you at all, Poppy.”
Unfortunately, the words only made the younger woman beam...and look even creepier in the process.
“At all. Like seriously, please stop smiling.”
“I was just replaying certain memories in my mind,” Poppy confessed. “Valerian called last night—”
“I’d be more surprised if he doesn’t at this point.” Honestly, Heather was still a little shocked at how much her brother had changed. He used to hate spending even a single minute talking to his ex-girlfriend on the phone. The new Valerian, however, had taken to calling his wife every few hours.
“And he was just so sweet—”
Heather was momentarily distracted when she saw Poppy’s phone’s screen light up with an incoming message.
Huh?
She closed her eyes, thinking she must’ve read it wrong.
“I can explain.”
Heather’s eyes flew open, and the guilty expression on Poppy’s face said it all.
“Does Valerian know?”
“Not yet. But he will,” Poppy promised.
“Is this the first time...”
Poppy shook her head, and Heather’s unease grew. “You should really come clean about this soon. Valerian hates being lied to.”
“I know. And I’ve always meant to tell him. I just need more time to plan things. But in the meantime...”
Heather could only sigh, knowing what was being asked of her. “I get it. And you have my word. I won’t say anything about this to Valerian, but...I’m serious, Poppy. The sooner you tell him, the better.”