“I still think you drink your coffee black since you only drink from the best coffee beans in the world. But then I thought maybe you added a bit of milk so that it wouldn’t be too strong?” My voice lifts at the end of the statement, making it sound more like a question. I’m suddenly and ridiculously anxious over a silly cup of coffee.
Nick’s smile doesn’t waver as he picks up the mug and takes a generous sip. “Well done. You nailed it, Angel.”
I unexpectedly preen at his praise and take great pleasure in watching him enjoy his coffee.
We spend the rest of the morning cooking breakfast, making each other second cups of coffee, and planning our next public outing while Delilah lounges by our feet.
I take my first real breath in days when I realize that this might work out after all.
thirty-one
I’m lactose intolerant.
As Luisa predicted, I usually take my coffee black.
But I’ll deal with the repercussions, because from now on, I’ll take my coffee with a dash of milk.
Just how my wife makes it.
thirty-two
Two weeks have passed,and we have slipped into our new normal.
Nick wakes up way before I do to touch base with his team in London while I try to soak up every second I can in our insanely comfortable bed.
Delilah has remained a permanent fixture between us as we sleep, although I have nudged her lower toward our feet throughout the night because the girl does love to make a tangled mess of the sheets.
I’ve fended off questions from my staff with the well-practiced answers Nick and I have come up with.
Even used the same lines to placate our friends. When they pried for more, Nick simply added that I couldn’t live another day not married to the man who gave me the best sex of my life, which had Daisy fake dry-heaving and the rest of the gang backing off. Except Isabella. I swear she could see right through it all, but she went along with it.
But we’ve held off the press long enough, and tonight we are on our way to our first public outing as husband and wife.
We knew we’d be under a microscope tonight, so Nick suggested we make our grand reveal at a charity for the local children’s hospital, hoping that the extra eyeballs on us would bring extra attention to the cause.
I’m fidgeting in my seat as our driver pulls up in front of the hotel hosting the event.
Nick slips his warm, comforting hand in mine and squeezes lightly. “You’re going to do great. We’ll be there two hours, tops. Then I’ll have you back home in time to watch your TV shows.”
I smile at the memory of Nick walking behind the couch as I watched an episode ofSouthern Charm. After he quit acting like he wasn’t watching intently as the cast fought while watching a polo race, Nick asked if I’d ever been to Charleston and if I’d like to visit sometime soon. “Don’t you meanourshows, dear?”
He rolls his eyes but doesn’t hide the faint smile playing on his lips.
“You’re a gateway drug, Angel. Next, I’ll be buying the network’s stock.”
I’m too busy laughing to realize we’ve stopped and that there are already cameras aimed at the tinted windows of our vehicle. The nerves come back in full force, but they are no match for my new husband.
“Stay here. I’ll exit first, wave to the cameras, and try to get the initial barrage of flashes out of the way. Place your clutch by the opening of the slit in your dress to make sure no one sees anything they’re not supposed to as you step out.” His words turn more growly as he speaks. “Have I mentioned how fucking beautiful you look tonight?”
I look down at my red satin dress and smile. “You have. You also said I looked sexy and downright sinful, and you sworeyou’ll be responsible for the deaths of the men who dare look my way tonight. Did I miss anything?” I smirk.
“Yeah, the part where I said I wasn’t joking,” he grumbles as he steps out of the car to the sound of my laughter.
He’s at my door in a flash, opening it an inch, mouthing, “You ready?”
When I nod, my focus is solely on him and not the media zoo surrounding us.
He opens my door wide but steps in before a camera can catch a glimpse, giving me a second to adjust myself in my strapless dress, then take his offered hand and step out of the vehicle. When I come up to my full height, the top of my head hitting below Nick’s chin, I hear the crowd go wild.
