Chapter 3
LILA
Ilet myself into Reid’s house with my key, staring down at it for a moment after I shut the door.
The day we’d exchanged keys had been such a happy one.
Reid’s friends had been surprised he’d taken that step since he’d avoided committed relationships before me.
Then he’d stunned everyone when he proposed only six months later. Including me.
Tucking the key back in my purse, I set my bag down on the console table and flipped on the lights in the living room.
The three-bedroom house in Hancock Park was undeniably beautiful but highlighted the differences between us.
His home was twice the size of mine, worth about three times as much, and had vaulted ceilings, lots of light, and pale hardwood floors.
My place was a rustic cabin surrounded by trees in Laurel Canyon.
Even with our contrasting tastes, Reid’s house had come to feel like a second home to me because we spent so much time here. But tonight, I felt a bit like an interloper since I got here first.
Kicking off my shoes with a sigh, I padded into the kitchen, my stomach twisting in knots.
I’d spent the whole drive from the set rehearsing what I wanted to say tonight, but the closer I got, the more I talked myself out of it.
Tonight could be good, and I wanted that so much.
I needed to believe we were still solid if I was going to walk down the aisle to him in three months.
The sound of the garage door opening made me jump. I smoothed my shirt, took a slow breath, and forced a smile I hoped looked natural. Reid was home. And for the next few hours, I was going to let myself pretend that Kaylee didn’t exist.
After the garage door rumbled shut, Reid walked into the kitchen carrying a bag from Oste.
His bespoke suit jacket was slung over his other arm, his tie was loosened, and his brown hair looked like he’d run his fingers through it at least a dozen times.
He looked exhausted, but the second his dark eyes landed on me, his expression softened.
“Hey, baby.” He set the bag on the island and crossed over to pull me into his arms. Then he bent his head to capture my mouth in a deep kiss that made my toes curl. When he pulled back, he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “You look beautiful but tired. Long day?”
I nodded as I leaned against his chest, and everything felt right again, being surrounded by him.
He kissed my forehead before turning to unpack the food.
“I got your favorite mortadella pinsa, extra crispy the way you like it. And two of the tiramisus you’re obsessed with.
” He held up the wine bottle with a small grin.
“And the Cabernet from Tuscany you liked so much the last time we went there.”
I loved that he noticed the little things and used them to show he was thinking about me. It had always been one of the ways Reid loved me best.
“Thank you,” I whispered, going on my toes to give him another quick kiss as I stroked my hand down his cheek, enjoying the feel of his beard scraping against my palm.
I grabbed glasses and plates, and then we carried everything to the big sectional in the living room. We settled in like we had so many times before—plates on our laps and bare feet tangled together under the throw blanket.
Between bites, he reached over and squeezed my thigh, his thumb brushing lazy circles against my jeans. “How was your day on set?”
“Good.”
He laughed when I told him about the meltdown over Jade’s dress, a story I wouldn’t share with anyone but him since he was her lawyer. “Guess I should add a line to her next contract that wardrobe shouldn’t put her in emerald green.”
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “Except the color wasn’t the issue.”
“Fair point,” he conceded with a wink.
Every laugh chipped away at the knot that had been sitting in my stomach all day.
I let myself relax into his side, resting my head on his shoulder while he told me a funny story about one of the associates.
His arm was around my shoulders, his fingers tracing patterns on my arm.
Being here with him like this felt so safe, and I was glad that I’d decided to hold off on bringing my concerns about Kaylee up again tonight.
We finished eating and cleaned up together, moving around each other with the easy rhythm we’d fallen into early in our relationship.
Reid loaded the dishwasher while I put the leftovers in the fridge, stealing glances at him the whole time.
He’d rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, and his muscles flexed every time he reached for something.
I’d never thought veins were sexy until I met him, but something about his forearms turned me on.
When we were done, he caught my hand and tugged me back to the couch, pulling me down so I was tucked against his chest. The TV played some mindless comedy in the background, but neither one of us was really watching.
His fingers traced slow, absent patterns up and down my arm, and I let myself melt into the solid warmth of him.
“Missed this,” he murmured against my hair.
“Me too,” I whispered, tilting my head to kiss the underside of his bearded jaw.
“Between my hours and your schedule, it feels like we keep missing each other lately.” His arm tightened around me. “I don’t like it.”
I closed my eyes and breathed him in, and the knot in my chest started to loosen. This was who I’d agreed to marry—the man who made time for me even after a long day.
“Mom sent me the link to a vineyard in Temecula.” His chest shook with his deep chuckle. “She’s convinced it’s the perfect spot for a bridal shower.”
I curled my legs under me. “She’s been sending me links too, so I talked to Imogen. I didn’t want her to be upset if the invite list for the shower she’s hosting is smaller because your mom wants to throw one too.”
Reid’s hand slid down to rest on the back of my neck, his thumb stroking gently. “What’d she say?”
“You know Imogen.” I tilted my head back to grin at him. “She was totally fine with it.”
“As long as she gets an invite, right?”
“Yup,” I confirmed with a giggle. My best friend was an extrovert who loved a good party, so she’d been excited by the idea of drinking all the wine in Temecula.
“Good.” His arm tightened around me. “My mom will be thrilled.”
We stayed tangled on the couch like that for a long while, the TV murmuring softly in the background while Reid’s fingers continued their slow path up and down my arm.
I was more relaxed than I’d felt in days.
His heartbeat was steady under my cheek, and every now and then, he’d press a lazy kiss to the top of my head.
I didn’t think anything of it when his phone lit up on the coffee table, the screen glowing bright in the dim room. High-profile clients didn’t keep normal hours, and emergencies could pop up at any time. I’d never been the type to begrudge him for answering when it mattered.
Reid reached over with his free hand, and I spotted the name on the notification—Kaylee.
It was after nine o’clock. Reid had left the office two hours ago, but she was still texting him.
None of his clients would’ve reached out to a paralegal if they needed something.
They had his cell number for that. And it didn’t make sense that she’d still be at work when he’d been home for so long.
I sat up slowly, pulling out from under his arm. The little bubble we’d been floating in had popped.
“Why is Kaylee texting you this late?”
He blinked, looking genuinely surprised as he set the phone back down. “She had a question about the contract we sent out to a client shortly before I left the office tonight.”
I stared at him, the words I’d been holding back for weeks finally pushing their way out.
“This isn’t normal. None of the other paralegals you’ve worked with in all the time I’ve known you have randomly texted you a question this late at night.
She’s acting like she’s on call for you twenty-four seven. ”
“She’s young and wants to prove herself.” He sat up fully now, his brow furrowed in confusion. “That’s all this is.”
“It feels like any time I bring her up, you minimize things.” My voice cracked as the hurt I’d been swallowing for weeks finally spilled over. “I’ve literally seen her flirt with you right in front of me. She brings you coffee without you asking and acts like she knows you better than she should. ”
“Baby, come on.” Reid reached for my hand.
For a second, I almost let him take it. Then I pulled away.
His head jerked back in shock, and he rushed to explain, “Nothing is going on. You’re the only woman I want. The one I’m marrying in three months. Kaylee is just eager. The office culture is casual. I think you’re reading too much into this. Everyone jokes around, but it doesn’t mean anything.”
I stared at him, searching his face for any sign that he actually understood how I felt when he discounted the situation like this. But all I found was confusion, and maybe a little frustration that I was ruining our nice night.
“I’m tired,” I whispered, standing. “I think I’m just going to head to bed.”
“Lila—”
I forced a small smile that felt unnatural on my face. “It’s fine.”
I grabbed the wineglasses from the table and turned toward the kitchen.
He started to stand like he meant to come after me, but then he stopped. “Lila.”
I kept my back turned and left the room. Giving myself a minute to breathe, I rinsed the glasses slowly. When I came back, he was still sitting on the couch, looking lost.
We got ready for bed without saying much more. He pulled me close under the covers, but I lay stiff in his arms, staring at the ceiling while his breathing slowly evened out beside me.
He was right next to me, but the distance between us felt wider than ever before.