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I hold a hand over my mouth while I chew and ask, “Husband?”
Her features soften, “Yeah, I’m married to Nero.”
And then my problems are over because I choke to death right then and there.
“Oh, um…” the woman’s eyes widen as she snags a new glass of champagne off a passing tray handing it to me.
Good thing these waiters are trying to get everyone drunk.
Taking it from her, I sip and blink away the watery eyes that come with near-death experiences, coughing the last piece of shellfish out of my lungs.
When I catch my breath, it’s my turn to apologize. “Sorry, I didn’t mean…” I shake my head. “I didn’t know he was married.”
What I want to say iswho in their right fucking mind would marry that man. But that seems rude for a first meeting.
She holds her hand out. “I’m Payton.”
I wipe my fingers on the little napkin then take her hand. “Savannah.”
After shaking, we stand in awkward silence. Because I don’t know how much she knows about mysituation. And I don’t know how to talk to the woman who married the man that I still basically hate.
“Nero told me everything,” she blurts out, hands pressed together in front of her chest. “And even though I know he believed he was doing the right thing, I told him he needs to apologize to you.” Payton looks so earnest as she says it that I have no idea how to reply. “He’s really…”
We both know she was about to saya good guy, but we both know that neither of us can say that about our husbands.
She tries again. “Him and King have been best friends for forever, and those two would do anything for each other.”Interest piqued.“And to be perfectly honest, I used to be terrified of King. But then he helped save my life, and well, now I’m not really scared of him anymore. I’m sure it will be the same for you and Nero.”
When my brows raise, she lifts her hands and presses them to her cheeks.
“I didn’t mean… Not that your life will need saving.”
“It’s alright, I know what you meant.” I take pity on the poor woman; she is married to Nero after all.
“Thanks…sorry.” She pats her cheeks again. “I was trying to make things better not worse.”
“It’s all weird, so it’s okay.”
Payton smiles and nods, agreeing.
She seems really nice, which makes me wonder how she ended up married into this shitshow.
“How did you and Nero meet?” I pick up another shrimp.
“Well,” she gives me a sheepish look, “he sorta broke into my house one day.”
I put my shrimp down.
Clearly if I eat here, I’ll just end up dying.
“Are you okay?” I whisper across the table.
Her eyes widen before a small laugh bubbles out of her. “Yes. I promise you that marrying Nero was my choice, and one I’d make over and over again.”
I eye her skeptically.Okay, sure.
“Well, it was nice meeting you.” I tell her, unsure if it was or not. “I’m gonna go spend some of King’s money.” I aim a thumb over to the auction tables.
I’m sure I’m being rude by cutting our conversation off and ditching my still full plate of food, but I honestly don’t know what I can, or should, say to this person.