trying to sound calm, though a sli

ice was low and steady as

rom glass. It's all been taken c

or

een husband and wife? In the past six months, they had treated each other with courtesy, never raising their voi

come home

id briefly, offering

endless projects and social obligations. "Th

picture him now-probably with one hand braced against the

xpec

rtant dinner me

ed. They rarely interfered with

at an upscale restaurant. Everyone ca

room, her phone rang

got a date

Sophia leaned against the hallway wal

connection. She idealized that slow-burning, Platonic kind of romance-something that f

re to go. A week later, they registered their marriage. There was no grand wedding, no romantic

t home was a blessing already. She to

bit, Sophia returned to the tab

a?" Emily Parker, arm-in-arm with her b

with a smile, then lowered her head, pretending to st

k was awful-she lost several rounds. This time, the punishment wa

heers, she pushe

, at a loss for what to do-until her eyes met a

ha

ve his elbows, languidly leaning back in his chair with

e "important d

handsome, roguish-looking man waved

is outstretched hand, her voice cold. "It's

d in, placing himself in fron

taurant, she saw Ethan's car waiting at the entrance. He

senger seat, her e

tly fastened her seatbelt. His movements were elegant and unhurri

ngs to check the scab on her forehead. His touch was

spered, not realizing the note of dependence in her vo

d softly and pulle

s steady heartbeat, all her earlier doubts and

fort, a scent suddenly hit her-an unfamiliar, rich perfume, distin

stiffened

ad it said she needed to get used to