"Oh, my God, look at her," Katie squeals. "She's glowing!"
I slide into the empty chair, heat rising to my cheeks wondering if I look that different. "I am not."
"You totally are." Maria leans forward, her dark eyes sparkling. "Something's different. Spill."
"Did that gorgeous husband of yours finally come around?" Sophia asks, stirring her latte.
I bite my lip, trying to contain my grin but failing miserably. "Maybe."
They all lean in closer, practically vibrating with excitement.
"We've been… getting closer," I admit. "Working together more. He's letting me help with the family business."
"Family business?" Katie raises an eyebrow. "Is that what we're calling it now?"
I roll my eyes. "Not like that. Well, not just like that."
"And?" Maria prompts.
"And… he seems to appreciate having me around.”
“Good God, girl, we want the steamy details,” Katie says.
I drop my voice to a whisper, glancing around to make sure no one can hear. "We did some vertical dancing.”
My friends’ brows knit together until Katie grins. “Against a wall?”
I nod.
Sophia fans herself. "Girl, you've come a long way from that blushing virgin at your wedding."
I’m giving the Instagram version of my life. All pretty with filters blocking out the blemishes. I’ll admit things are better than when this marriage started. We're making real progress against the Keans. Each dinner party brings another family to our side, another promise of support when the time comes. Even my father has stopped wavering now that he sees others stepping up. And Ash seems to recognize my value in the endeavor. In that area, we’re true partners.
But better is still far from perfect. Every time Ash touches me, every time he makes me come undone, I hope it means something more. That maybe, just maybe, his heart is starting to heal enough to let me in, but I know it’s just wishful thinking.
The physical connection between us is incredible, but emotionally? He's still as unreachable as the stars. But I’m not going to share that with my friends. So I give them the gossip they want to hear.
And I get their gossip too. Challenges with classes. Latest cute guys in class. I find that I’m not as envious of them as I had been. Sure, I’d still like to go to school, but in the last few weeks I’ve found I like my life well enough. Running a household. Helping Ash build alliances. Free time doing my art and usingYouTube to learn new skills since Ash is still unable to find me a teacher.
“I pulled an all-nighter,” Maria says, taking a long gulp of her iced coffee. “You’ve got to do that at least once in college, right?”
Sophie rolls her eyes. “You did it all the time in high school.”
I can't help the yawn that escapes me, trying to cover it with my hand.
"Someone's not getting enough sleep." Katie waggles her eyebrows. "I guess Ash is keeping you up all night?"
"Bet she's not complaining," Maria adds with a wink.
I laugh, shaking my head. "Life is busy. We’ve been hosting a lot of dinners.”
"With all that action, maybe you're not tired from the dinner parties." Katie waggles her eyebrows. "Could be you’ve got a bun in the oven."
I force out a laugh. "Don't be ridiculous. I’m not nauseous, I'm tired.”
“My stepmom didn’t have morning sickness when she was pregnant with my half-brother,” Katie says. “She was exhausted for like four months.”
“I’m not pregnant.” I wave her comment away. Except… My stomach drops as I realize Ash and I haven't used any protection. Not once. I've been so caught up in the physical pleasure of being with him, in the excitement of working together against the Keans, that I haven't even thought about it.
