Page 60 of The Exception

We were scheduled to return to the marina after sunset. I’d chosen this setting because it was private and it had a designated end time, thus limiting the number of questions they could ask—for now.

I took the stairs to the upper deck in search of Lily. My family could be a lot. Even though she’d met most of them on multiple occasions, this was different. She wasn’t my assistant or my employee; we were married now. And I knew everyone had questions, even if they were keeping them to themselves for now.

“Hey.” Lily’s smile was tight as she peered up at me, wrapping her arm around my waist.

I hesitated a moment before draping my arm over her shoulder. That’s what a husband would do, right? What a real couple would do. Touch.

More often than not, I was trying to restrain myself from touching her—at least when we were alone. Like the night of our wedding. I skimmed my fingers along her skin, still full of regrets.

When she’d invited me to have a drink with her, I’d wanted to say yes. But I’d known it was a bad idea. And then she’d asked for help with her dress. When I’d unzipped it to see her bare, smooth back and the strap falling off her shoulder, I’d nearly bent her over my desk and taken her in all the ways I’d been imagining.

I wanted to touch her so damn bad. And it was nice to be able to do what I actually wanted for once.

I caught a whiff of her floral scent. I closed my eyes, feeling calmed. Grounded. When I opened my eyes again, Kendall and Emerson were communicating without words. Having some kind of telepathic conversation that only best friends could.

“The Leatherbacks are having a good season,” I said to Kendall, mostly to preempt any questions they might have.

“They are.” She beamed.“You missed a great game last week.”

I attended every home game I could, though hockey was my favorite sport. I was a huge Hollywood Hawks fan.

It wasn’t long before the marina was fading into the distance. The rest of my family found their way to the upper deck, and I tried to ignore their curious glances. Liliana fussed with her outfit, her hair, but she was doing great. I knew she was nervous, even if she wouldn’t admit it. I gave her shoulder a quick squeeze, wanting to reassure her despite my own uncertainty.

“Since we’re all here,” I said, not wanting to put this off any longer. Hell, I had a feeling Kendall had already spotted my wedding band, judging from her widened eyes. Time was of the essence. “I have an announcement.”

I gestured to one of the yacht staff. I’d spoken to her after we’d boarded and asked that she prepare some champagne. Everyone quieted, and I swallowed hard, trying not to lose my nerve. When it came to my family, I rarely was the center of attention. It made me uncomfortable, as if spiders were crawling over my skin.

“Ooh. Champagne,” Jasper said, arching his brow, as she held out a tray of champagne flutes. “What are we celebrating?”

Liliana glanced to me, champagne flute in hand. I waited until everyone had been served then noticed that Sloan was empty-handed.

“My wife,” I supplied, handing Sloan a flute of champagne, which she nearly dropped.

“Careful,hayati,” Jackson said, his quick reflexes saving the day. He held her hand and took the glass from her. Jackson went to the mini fridge and filled an empty flute with sparkling water before handing it to Sloan.

“Excuse me. Your what?” Sloan asked, eyes bouncing between Lily and me, drink forgotten.

“This is a joke, right?” Jasper glanced to the others for reassurance.

Liliana was tense, and I held her close, hoping to reassure her. “Does this look like a joke?” I held up Liliana’s left hand to display her wedding ring.

“Surprise!” Liliana said, her entire body rigid.

Everyone else was silent. Dumbfounded. Except perhaps Kendall, though she was obviously still reeling from my announcement.

Lily lowered her hand, and I wrapped my arm around her waist. Jasper was unusually quiet. Jackson was watching this all unfold with interest.

“Since when?” Nate asked.

“Earlier this week.”

Sloan narrowed her eyes at me. I was afraid she could see right through me. Afraid she was going to call me out for my fake relationship.

“I don’t get it,” Brooklyn said, breaking the increasingly awkward silence. “Shouldn’t we be happy for Uncle Graham?” She peered at everyone, and I’d never been more thankful for that kid.

“We are happy for Graham,” Emerson said, placing her hand on Brooklyn’s shoulder. “We’re just surprised. That’s all. Right?” She elbowed Nate.

He shook his head as if awakening from a stupor. “Right. Surprised.”

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