Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Willa
This man infuriated me. When Louis pulled up to the Pierre Hotel, where the event was hosted, Damien climbed out and extended his hand, which I smacked away.
“Take my hand now,” he commanded. “Theodore and his wife are right over there.”
Inhaling a sharp breath, I placed my hand in his and climbed out. He took my hand and looped it around his arm.
“Behave.” He glanced at me.
“Damien. Willa, darling.” Theodore hugged me.
“Willa, you look gorgeous.” Lucy smiled, hugging me.
“I love your dress, Lucy.”
“Thank you. Oh, to be your age again.”
“How did your daughter like the box I sent over?” I asked.
“Didn’t Damien tell you?” She cocked her head.
“No.” I glanced over at Damien.
“My apologies, Lucy. It’s been a crazy week, and I forgot to tell her.”
“My daughter loved it. I told her I would see you tonight, and she asked if she could order some from you for a couple of her friends.”
“I’m so happy she liked the box.” I shot Damien a dirty look.
“Mr. Blackwood, over here!” one of the reporters shouted.
“Smile for the camera, sweetheart.” Damien smiled.
I plastered a smile so fake for multiple pictures that my cheekbones cramped.
My stilettos were already blistering my feet, reminding me that I was here only to be presented as a trophy wife—if only everyone knew the real truth.
We stepped inside the hotel and made our way to the ballroom. We looked like every other power couple in the room from a distance—glamorous and poised. Up close? The tension between us was thicker than his wallet and twice as cold.
“Smile,” he clenched his teeth, his hand tightening around my waist. “People are staring at us.”
“Can I get a photo of the newlyweds kissing?” A young female reporter walked over, smiling.
“Of course.” Damien slid his hand up my back and tilted my face toward his, leaning in for a kiss. “Sell it,” he whispered, his eyes locking on mine.
I gripped the lapel of his jacket and smiled like I hadn’t just imagined slapping him a few minutes ago. Our lips met, and a flash went off.
“Beautiful. Thank you.” The young reporter smiled.
“There you are.” Charlie walked over with his wife. “Willa, this is my wife, Donna. Donna, Willa.”
“Oh my gosh. It’s so good to meet you finally.” She hugged me.
“You too. I love your dress. I almost bought the same one, but the store didn’t have my size.”
“Thank you. To be honest, I like your dress better.” She smiled.
Dinner was starting, so we all took our places around the table, which was beautifully decorated with white linens, fine China, and a beautiful floral centerpiece surrounded by votive candles.
“How is newlywed life?” Theodore asked.
“It’s everything I knew it would be.” Damien smiled, tipping his glass of scotch to his lips.
“I’ve never been happier.” My fake smile was still cramping my cheekbones.
“Any news on the baby front?” A smirk crossed Lucy’s lips.
“Oh my gosh, are you pregnant?” Donna asked.
“No. But we’re having fun trying.” I grinned. “Aren’t we, Damien?”
He cleared his throat. “Yes, we are. Fingers crossed.”
“Well, when it happens, I’m going to throw you the biggest and best baby shower.” Lucy smiled. “Do you have any ideas for the nursery yet?”
“Well, I was thinking that if we have a boy, light gray and blue. And of course, for a girl, it has to be pink,” I said.
“Okay.” Damien chuckled. “Enough talk about babies. I don’t want to jinx our chances.”
I could tell it was getting under his skin, and I loved it. My phone wouldn’t stop pinging. Pulling it from my clutch, my eyes widened at all the orders coming through for breakup boxes.
“Sweetheart, can you please silence your phone?” Damien asked.
“You are one popular lady.” Lucy smiled.
“I apologize. It’s orders for the breakup boxes. I did a vendor show today at the mall. I sold out of every box I brought, and now I have over one hundred orders.”
“As you should, young lady,” Theodore said. “You’re onto something with those boxes. If you got that many orders in just one day, maybe you should open a brick-and-mortar for the boxes.”
“Well, I’m sure it’s just from the show today. Tomorrow, everyone will forget about the boxes.”
“That is not true,” Lucy said. “And my husband is right. You should open a brick-and-mortar. Let customers come into the store and see the boxes in person.”
“Damien will help you with that. Right, Damien?” Charlie said.
“Yes. Anything my wife wants, she gets.” He smiled.
After we ate a wonderful meal, Damien stood from his chair and extended his hand.
“May I have this dance?”
“You may.” I placed my hand in his.
He led me to the dance floor, wrapped his arm around my waist, and rested his hand on the small of my back.
“Are you enjoying the evening?” he asked.
“Oh yes. I can barely contain my excitement.”
“I don’t appreciate your sarcasm. And you didn’t tell me you were doing a vendor show at the mall today.”
“Why would I tell you? You think I’m nuts for making breakup boxes and you think my business is shit.”
“Willa, that is not true.”
“Your exact words were, ‘You’re nuts. Has anyone ever told you that?’ And you called the things I put into my boxes shit.”
“I was upset you sent me a box. Smile. People are staring.”
“I’m sorry my generosity and good nature upset you. That wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry for wanting to share something I loved doing with my husband, even if this marriage is fake.”
“I already apologized for that. What else do you want me to do?”
“Nothing.” I looked away.
“May I cut in?” Theodore walked over.
“Of course.” Damien nodded.
“I’ve been watching you two, and there seems to be some tension floating in the air,” Theodore said.
“Tension?” I laughed. “Why would you think that?”
“Because I saw it on your faces. You two looked like you were arguing.”
“Oh my gosh, no. We weren’t arguing. We were talking about baby names. Damien likes some really odd names.”
He chuckled. “My wife and I had many disagreements on names for the children when she was pregnant. Damien won’t win. I hope he knows that.” He smiled.
“He does. Trust me.” I grinned.
After our dance ended, Damien walked over and gripped my hand, leading me across the room to meet some of his investors. My feet were killing me and I couldn’t wait to get these damn heels off.
We left the gala when Theodore and Charlie did. Sliding into the back of the sedan, I immediately removed my shoes.
“Thank God.” My feet felt free.
“What did Theodore say to you while you were dancing together?” Damien asked.
“He noticed some tension between us and asked me about it.”
“Great.” He sighed, shaking his head.
“Don’t worry. I told him there wasn’t any tension, and you were throwing out odd baby names.”
“He was satisfied with that answer?” he asked.
“Yes. He laughed and said he and Lucy disagreed about baby names when she was pregnant. I like the name Daisy for a girl.”
“You’re not pregnant. Why are you telling me which name you like?”
“They remind me of my grandmother’s garden. They were her favorite flowers and the only flowers she thought worth growing. One day, I asked why she loved them so much. She looked at me and said, ‘Daisies are special, my dear. They represent innocence, purity, and new beginnings. They close at night and open with the morning sun, reminding us that each day is a fresh start. She told me they’re honest flowers and don’t pretend to be something they’re not. She called them uncomplicated.”
“I didn’t know daisies were your favorite.”
“Why would you?” I smiled. “I’m sure you think my liking daisies is nuts, too.”
“Willa, come on. Just stop. I didn’t mean to call you that. I was upset. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“You’re right, Damien. I won’t bring it up again.” I rolled my eyes and stared out the window.
“How about we go back to my place tonight?”
Was he serious? Did he really think I would sleep with him after everything?
“How about we don’t. I just want to go home.”
“Whatever, Willa.”