Page 97 of Unexpectedly In Love

Rhet inhales and tries to puff his chest out. “Say what you want I have a woman home waiting for me, what do you have?”

I snigger. “Two black cane Corso, and three crazy cousins.”

“I messed up with my wife years ago and I had to grovel and give her a part of me that no one else knows about.” Rhet smirks and shakes his head.

“What’s that?” I question.

“Are you, my wife? If she loves you, she will take you back. But you gotta grovel big time. Find someone who will be on your team in her family.” Rhet knocks his fingers on the table.

“She got three sisters and trust me, by now, they all hate me.”

Rhet nods. “There must be a weak one in the group. If not, try her dad or mom. If not…”

“I will kidnap her, and make her fall in love with me again.” I was serious, I would do that.

Rhet eyes widen. “Your psycho is showing.”

“If your wife leaves you, what are you going to do?” I inquire.

Rhet blinks rapidly. “I don’t understand your question.”

“You heard me.”

“I love my wife to death. I said the words till death do us part. I meant that shit. If she leaves me well, we will die…together.” Rhet’s smile widens.

“Now whose psycho is showing?”

“I never said I was sane, Demopoulos. That was your assumption. Either way I gotta go. I will see you in a month to break ground.” Rhet stands and presses his cigar into the astray. I walk around the table and shake his hand.

“Thanks for the advice,” I reply, my grip firm and heavy.

“It’s the advice I wish someone had given me. Invite me to the wedding. I won’t come but my wife will send a gift.”

I chuckle as I open the door and walk him to the elevator.

Rhet steps into the elevator, before the door closes, he says, “Remember Demopoulos, don’t be a pussy eat one.”

I laugh out and make my way back to my office. I will not be working today; I’m going to get my family back.

* * *

ANISE

Ichecked my bank account this morning and I’m officially a millionaire. He also made me CEO of Senica. Just like that, in the blink of an eye, my life changed. Another woman would have been shopping and celebrating. I am curled up in my sister’s Sage guest bedroom, stuck in the middle, watching Frozen 2 with Poppy and Nik.

Kai is with Soleil and Ms. Callaway in the nursery.

“I swear Poppy my brain is rotting from this show.” Nik slaps his face and throws himself back on the pillow.

Poppy raises up from the side of me and presses against my thigh. “You just don’t know good art, Nik.”

“I want to watch Encanto,” Nik murmurs as he folds his arms over his chest and pouts.

“Too bad,” Poppy continues singing about going into the unknown.

“Nik, I want to see Encanto too. So, after Pops is finished we can watch it.” Nik rolls to the side and hugs me tight around my waist.

Poppy stops dancing and looks up at me. “Aunty, how long are you staying here? Not forever, right?”

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