Chapter 20
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Josie
On Monday morning, after dressing hurriedly, I took in my appearance in the bathroom mirror. My lips were swollen from Hunter’s wild kissing, my grin was absolutely huge (he was at fault for me being in a hurry in the first place).
I had absolutely no doubt that anyone passing me would know I got loved up good this morning.
Then again, I was a newlywed who’d just returned from her honeymoon.
This should be expected, right? Swooning and daydreaming were acceptable…
I hoped. It would even give the whole thing more credibility, and that was certainly a good thing.
On the way to work, I called my sister. I was dying to speak to Isabelle. I talked her ear off from the second she answered.
“You sound so… radiant,” she replied when I finished.
I chuckled. “How can you sound radiant?”
“No idea, but you do.”
“I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too.”
“So move to New York.”
“You always tempt me with that.”
“Well, I always hope to convince you.”
“One of these days, you just might.”
Holy shit, that was the closest she’d come to saying she’d consider moving. I’d love to dote on my sister, and generally just having her nearby would be amazing.
“I have to go now, but keep me posted on your newlywed bliss.”
“Will do.”
I started my day by meeting with my assistant and the junior who had handled my workload while I’d been gone.
“So, in a nutshell, we have five contracts waiting for you to sign, and ten others where you still need to double-check certain details we’ve pointed out on Post-its.”
“I’ll get to all of those today.”
That had gone more smoothly than I’d imagined. Hunter had been right. My entire career wasn’t going to collapse just because I’d taken two weeks off. I did need saving from my own brain.
I’d have to thank him later. On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t. That would only encourage him to continue ambushing me. For some reason that didn’t sound like such a bad idea.
My God, was I conflicted or what? Part of my brain was still on the Maldives, relaxing in the sun. It would take me a few days to readjust to the breakneck speed of a law firm.
The day became more stressful by the hour, though. My to-do list was growing by leaps and bounds every time I read a new email, and it didn’t help that my brain was working at a slug’s pace.
Around lunch, I shot Hunter a text.
Josie: How’s your day? My brain is trying to sabotage me. Instead of focusing on statutes, I keep daydreaming about white sand and cocktails and just lying in the sun doing nothing.
Hunter: But not daydreaming about ME? :-)
I laughed, staring at the screen.
Josie: Just a little :)
Hunter: You’re jet-lagged, that’s why focusing is harder. It’ll get better in a few days.
Josie: Hope so, because I’m out of tricks. Already went over my daily dose of caffeine, and I’m still half asleep :-(
Hunter: It’ll get better. I promise.
I was determined to make the best out of the day, so I massaged my temples, smelled the small lavender bag I kept on my desk, and attacked my to-do list with renewed focus.
Half an hour later, I was distracted by a delivery guy calling my name. I poked my head out of the office, waving at him.
“That’s me.”
He’d made so much ruckus that even some of the others had poked their heads out.
“I have a delivery for you, Ms. Gallagher. From Deli’s.”
My mouth watered. Deli’s baked some of the best chocolate cakes in town.
“But I didn’t order… I didn’t even know you did delivery.”
“We don’t. But Mr. Caldwell was very convincing.”
“Thank you!”
Hunter had sent me sweets? OH MY GOD. Why hadn’t I married him before?
I took the bag, not even bothering to tone down my excitement.
Deliveries at the firm were 95 percent documents.
But this was something else, so it accounted for some excitement.
Two of my colleagues whistled, and one called out, “Already running for Husband of the Year? Well done.”
I was giddy as I retreated to my office. I admired the sweet treat, considering for about three seconds if I should share with my coworkers before settling on Hell, no . This was all for me. I dug in and didn’t stop until the carton was empty and I’d licked the spoon clean.
I was just about to throw everything away when my phone lit up with an incoming message.
Hunter: Would love to see a picture of you and the cake right now.
He thought I still had cake? Ha! He didn’t know me as well as he thought, then.
I took a selfie with the empty carton. I hadn’t dabbed at the corners of my mouth yet, so I still had some chocolate there.
I looked like a three-year-old who’d stuffed her face in a hurry so she wouldn’t be caught. But the man had requested photographic evidence, and since I’d practically inhaled the cake, that was the best I could do.
Hunter: You’re already done? Hell, woman, I should’ve sent you more.
Josie: I’ll never say no to more cake. Thank you.
Hunter: You said you needed help. What are husbands for but coming to the rescue? :)
I was melting. Yep. Utterly and completely melting.
Josie: Smart man. Had to protect it. (that’s why I ate quickly). My entire office got wind of it.
I went out to lunch with Nigel, one of my other colleagues who was on the fast track to become partner.
“So, we didn’t have time to chat since you’ve been back. How was your honeymoon?”
Odd question, since Nigel and I weren’t friends. One could say we were in direct competition, even though the firm was big enough that both of us would eventually become partners. They only promoted once a year, though, which meant that one of us would get there first.
“Honestly, it was great. Everything looks just as in pictures: the sand, the water. I could’ve stayed there for a whole month.”
“Ugh, wouldn’t want to fall behind on work, though. I only took two days off last year for a wedding and promised myself I wouldn’t do it again until I made partner. It’s just not worth it.”
“Recharging from time to time is good,” I said, ignoring the jab. “Besides, it was my honeymoon.”
We found an empty table by the window and sat opposite each other.
“So, this moved fast. We didn’t know you were seeing someone seriously.”
Why was he still asking about personal issues? We usually discussed cases and our bosses.
“It just happened,” I said in a monotone voice, in no mood to continue this conversation. I reached for my glass, taking a sip of the icy-cold soda.
“Does Caldwell already have his green card?”
I felt as if someone had dumped all the ice cubes from the glass on top of my head.
“Oh, that? No.”
There. I sounded calm, composed. As if the question didn’t matter at all.
Come to think of it, how did Nigel even know Hunter wasn’t a citizen?
Then I remembered, there was a plethora of articles available about Hunter, and they often said he was born in England.
Regardless, I wished I’d put more effort into recounting a convincing love story.
“I see. Lucky he’s married an American, then. Won’t have to go through so much paperwork.”
Don’t panic. Don’t panic . I repeated that mantra a few times, drawing on my years of experience as a lawyer.
I’d been blindsided by evidence brought in at the last moment more times than I could count.
But this was different. This was personal.
I considered my next words very carefully.
It made no sense to deny this. With a pang of horror, I wondered if the immigration services had started asking around already.
“The two things aren’t related.” I was proud of how confident I sounded.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
I changed the subject to a huge custody battle that had made headlines recently.
I needed to get my bearings before I spoke too much or said the wrong thing. Hunter and I needed a strategy in case more people came up with similar comments.
I could barely concentrate for the rest of the afternoon. I wanted to talk to Hunter but didn’t want to put everything into a text, and I didn’t want to risk calling him. What if anyone overheard us?
So when Hunter called a few hours later, I barely refrained from telling him everything.
“Hello, husband.”
“Hey! When do you think you’ll be ready today?”
“Around six. Why?”
“Amelia called. She wants us over for dinner tonight, no excuses.”
“Uh-oh. She actually said no excuses?”
“Yes. Also used my middle name when I tried to come up with one.”
I laughed. “Ouch. Wouldn’t have wanted to be in your place.”
“Trust me, I didn’t want to be in my place.”
“Then we’d better show up.” I smiled for the first time in hours, spinning in the chair. I hadn’t seen Amelia since the wedding two weeks ago, and I already had withdrawals.
“I’ll pick you up at six?” he went on.
“Sure.” I wanted to tell him about my conversation with Nigel right away, because I was bursting at the seams with worry, but managed to keep silent. I’d tell him everything in a few hours.
At five fifty-five, I practically flew out of the office. I was usually one of those who burned the midnight oil on Mondays, to get ahead of the week, but I could see that pattern changing.
On the way out of the building, Nick caught up with me.
“Josie, you’re back. Almost couldn’t believe it when they told me you took off two weeks.”
“Almost couldn’t believe it myself.”
Nick and I had dated for six months a few years ago but broke up because both of us prioritized our careers above our relationship. We’d remained friendly, and even though Nick had suggested repeatedly that we could be friends with benefits, I’d never been interested.
Outside the building, I spotted Hunter immediately. He’d come by car, and he’d pulled in the no-parking zone in front of the building. He narrowed his eyes when he noticed Nick.
Guess who knew about Nick’s insistent propositions? Hunter.
“Congratulations, man. Heard you’re the lucky one who put a ring on her finger,” Nick said, holding out his hand to Hunter, who shook it very briefly, giving him a sardonic smile. The look in his eyes was so intense that for a split second, I thought he’d crush Nick’s hand.
“Thanks.” Turning to me, he added, “Ready?”
“Sure. See you, Nick.”
Hunter opened the door for me, but right when I was about to climb inside, he kissed me. His mouth was hot and urgent on mine, coaxing me to give in to him until I forgot we were not alone. I felt wanted, claimed.
When he pulled back, smiling down at me, I was dazzled. Crap. I’d completely forgotten Nick was still on the sidewalk. I gave him a small smile before climbing in, watching Hunter as he rounded the car to the driver seat.
Over the past few weeks, he hadn’t had a chance to wear a suit, and I’d forgotten how hot he looked in one, especially since he was so tan now. The bronze skin contrasted beautifully with his blue eyes and crisp white shirt. The tailored jacket fit him like a glove.
“How was your day?” I asked once he’d climbed in.
“Half my brain was still in the Maldives.”
“So was mine.” I smiled, but then the corners of my mouth dropped as I remembered the conversation with Nigel. “One of my colleagues is suspicious of our marriage.”
“What makes you think that?” he asked calmly, eyes on the road.
“He asked about your green card. I’m wondering if the immigration services been asking around at the office.”
“Okay. Okay. If they think it’s a sham marriage, they’d tell us.”
“Not right away. They’ll investigate first.”
Hunter pressed his head against the headrest. At a red light, he turned to look at me, touching my cheek.
“Josie, we’ll figure it out together, okay? We’ll convince everyone this is real, don’t worry.”
“How will you do that? Kiss the living daylights out of me in front of everyone? Like you did in front of Nick?”
His voice was hard. “He was looking at you as if he still has a claim on you. I had to do something about that.”
Will you look at that . Hunter Caldwell was jealous. I felt like a terrible person, but I was secretly enjoying it. Well… apparently not so secretly, because Hunter narrowed his eyes at me.
“You fiend,” he said.
“You kiss me shamelessly in front of a coworker, and I’m the fiend?”
“Yes. Because you’re enjoying the fact that I’m jealous.”
“Drive, Caldwell. The light turned green.”
I was grinning as he turned his focus on the road, feeling ridiculously giddy. Keep your feet on the ground, Josie .
This… thing was still new, and who knew how long it would last. Hunter had never thought about having a family, he’d said so repeatedly. Would we go back to being friends after the three years were over?
I was slowly beginning to understand that there was no way our friendship would remain the same after all was said and done. I didn’t think it was possible to forget all this. At least, not for me.