Page 85 of The Exception

“You’re helping me,” I said. “Fuck. You know how much I hate attending these events. Having you by my side will make it easier.”

She arched a brow. “You don’t usually admit stuff like that.”

“I’m trying this new thing my brilliant wife told me about. It’s called communication.”

She laughed, seeming a little lighter.

“May I?” I asked, holding out the earring.

Lily turned so her back was to me, sliding her hair away from her ear. I placed the earring through the hole in her lobe then slid the back on. She shivered, and I moved to the next ear.

“Are you cold?” I asked. “Nervous?”

“A little,” she said, and I wondered if she was both.

“Don’t worry,” I offered. “Most people will be too dazzled by Nate and Emerson to pay us much attention.”

“Yeah, but we’ll be seated with them. And didn’t you say some of the board members will be there?”

“Mm-hmm.” I guided her closer to the wall of windows overlooking my garden and the terrace, letting her see her reflection. “What do you think?”

“I think…” I could hear the smile in her voice. “That I look the part—wife of a billionaire.”

“You look beautiful,” I said, not sure why her words grated on me.

“Thank you.” She met my eyes in our reflection in the glass. “You really think people will buy this? Us?” she asked.

“You did a good job with my family. And I promise to do a better job pretending tonight too.”

“Good. I’d hate to have a repeat of what happened on Knox’s yacht.” Her eyes widened as soon as the words had left her mouth. Her honesty felt like a punch to the gut. “What I meant was?—”

My phone buzzed. “Our driver is waiting downstairs.”

“Right, um. Right.” She seemed flustered, and my good mood evaporated with her words.

I’d hate to have a repeat of what happened on Knox’s yacht.

Was she referring solely to our fight or also to what had come after? To the intense, passionate way we’d claimed each other? Fuck. My head was such a mess over this woman.

I usually had no problem sticking to my rules. And yet with Lily, I found myself wanting to break each and every one of them.

* * *

“Oh fuck.”Nate turned away from where Emerson stood across the room, a determined look on her face as she scanned the crowd for him.

I twisted my wedding ring on my finger. People wereeverywhere. I hated attending these types of events, but Nate had always thrived in the spotlight. I envied him for it—for the way he so easily interacted with people in social settings. When I’d rather be anywhere else.

“What?” I asked as he grabbed my elbow and dragged me toward the bathroom. “What are you doing?”

“Quick. Hide.”

I followed him, no questions asked. Had he spotted a fan he wanted to avoid? And where the hell was his bodyguard?

Nate pulled me around the corner, hiding us in an alcove. “Is she coming?”

“Who?” I asked.

“Emerson,” he gritted out.

---