Page 61 of Wild Ever After
Melody angles her body to the people behind her and introduces us to each one. The last woman, Olivia something-or-other, moves to Jade after all the introductions are made.
“Congratulations,” she says. “I have been following since the beginning. I’m a huge fan. It’s like reality television meets bridal handbook. I can’t get enough.”
“Thank you.” Jade looks a little taken aback by the compliment. “That means so much coming from you.”
The woman continues to beam at Jade. “What are you writing about now?”
Warm brown eyes seek me out first before she answers. I wrap an arm around her waist and peer down at her as she begins to talk.
“It’s about cohabitating. All the new, fun things about living together, like slumber parties and lazy Sunday mornings cuddled up on the couch, as well as the tricky things like fighting over dirty dishes and deciding who’s going to take the trash out.”
“You two didn’t live together before the wedding?”
“Nope.”
We share a secret smile that Olivia seems to take as a sign of how happy and in love we are because she says, “Ugh. You two, I can’t take it. I miss those first years of marriage. Enjoy this time together before kids and hot flashes.” She waves a hand in front of her face.
“We will,” Jade says, still with a smile, but I don’t miss the tension that’s made her body go rigid under my touch.
“I can’t wait to read your article and everything that comes next. I won’t keep you. Go enjoy the party. The lobster tails are to die for.” With a polite nod, she moves along, probably to a food tray.
Jade keeps her perfectly-composed smile in place until I pull her away from the group. Scarlett and Leo are stuck talking to other people, but I don’t wait for them.
“Are you all right?” I ask, once we’re out of earshot.
“Yeah.” She lets out a shaky breath. “I just hate lying to all of them.”
“We are technically married and cohabitating. And you do leave like twelve mugs a day in the sink.”
“I drink a lot of coffee.” A real smile finally breaks free.
“Where’d you get the other stuff? Slumber parties and Sunday snuggles?” I cock a brow. We have definitely not done either of those things.
“Scarlett. She and Leo are my inspiration.” Her gaze moves back to them. “They’re so happy together.”
“Yeah. Seems so,” I say.
The next words come out quieter. “I know it’s probably my imagination running wild, but it feels like everyone is watching us tonight.”
I do a quick scan of the party. She’s not wrong. “Must be me looking all slick in this suit.”
She rests a palm on my chest, smoothing out the starched fabric. “You do look nice.”
“Back at you.”
“But that’s not it. I feel like,” she starts and then reconsiders her words. “I feel like they can all see right through me. I’m a liar and a phony. I hate that I’m tricking people. Before, with Sam, it never felt so malicious, but I just keep getting deeper into the lie. And now, if this blows up, I’ll lose everything.”
My hand finds her hip. “It’s not just you in this. If this gets out, it won’t look good for me either.”
Her expression becomes even more broken.
“All I mean to say is we’re in this together. For better or worse and all that.” I brush a strand of hair behind one ear. “You look beautiful. We’ve already established that I’m looking great. How hard can it be to convince a few people that we’re in love?”
“A few?”
I step forward and place a kiss to her forehead. She smells so damn good. It’s a struggle to pull away, but I do. “We’ve got this.”
I lace my fingers through hers again. “Now, let’s go find Leo and Scarlett. I need to study his moves.”
