Page 78 of Insta Bride

“The usual suspects,” I laughed when he mocked surprise. “Olivia, Tash, Jess. I would have included Lina but then I’d have to explain to the others she is still a friend.”

“Lina—the reason you won’t let me call you Lena in public?”

“Lina as in the reason Olivia didn’t marry her ex-fiancé.”

“But Liv ended up with her childhood sweetheart, right?” Kye held his breath until I nodded. “Phew. I’m trying to keep up with your friends but you don’t make it easy.”

“Why?”

“Because half the time I’m waiting for the axe to fall. They’ll call an intervention and kick me the hell out of your life.”

“Why would they do that?”

“Because they see the same social media bullshit you do. They see the photos and don’t understand. I never hid or downplayed what I was before the island.”

“Actually,” I tried to keep my tone light. “You didn’t hide the asshole part on the island at all.”

“Don’t fall in love with an asshole, cause he’ll always get his way. Just when you think you can kick him out, he’ll give you a reason to stay.” Kye sang offkey and loud enough for other patrons to turn our way.

“Stop it!” I flicked the napkin at him.

“Make me,” he teased before starting the song again.

I brushed aside the bottles of water and wine, leaning over the table until he gave up his musical career to meet me halfway. I silenced my husband with kisses until tables around us applauded and suggested we get a room.

Celebrities could get away with crap normal customers couldn’t.

I hated being a celebrity. I’d done nothing to deserve it, other than fill in a stupid questionnaire.

“Elena, Elena, babe. You kill me with every kiss.”

“How many more will it take, then?” I teased. “You know, before I can get your life insurance.”

“I’m worth more tied up in your bed than I’ll ever be, dead.”

“Promises, promises.”

“Back to the interviews, do I have enough time to change the minds of your three musketeers?”

“They’re gonna tell the truth. They’ll say whatever’s on their mind—they’re not going to bullshit. They’re not going to lie for us.”

“I’m not asking them to lie. I’m asking, what do they think of you and me?”

“Why don’t you ask them?” I already knew the answer, but did Kye? They thought I’d scored big time in the hotness stakes. They could understand hooking up with Kye and even falling in lust. None of then understood how I could be so stupid as to marry a man I hardly knew.

“Because I don’t think they like me.”

“That’s because they know that I didn’t want to fall in love with a lying cheating asshole.”

“I’m only one of those three things.”

I sighed and leaned back. “Kye, is being married to me really worth the money? Like, you’ve got a good job. I’ve got a good job. Is it really worth the money? Don’t you just want to walk away now and go, yeah it was nice at the time?”

Kye

“No,” I almost yelled. The answer as instinctively as the way I grabbed her hand before she could run out of the restaurant and my life. Fuck. She hadn’t moved, but I’d reacted as if her hand was a life preserver. Swallowing my pride and ego, I lowered my voice and tried for reassuring instead of desperate, “This thing between us—it didn’t start off—”

I took a breath before trying again, “But it is—”

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