Page 107 of A Forbidden Arrangement

“Yeah.” I try to sound normal. “There’s a little flower shop I want to see, and maybe the café next door. They make those fancy lavender lattes.”

He smirks. “So, coffee, pastries, and plants. You’re predictable.”

“Consistent,” I correct.

As we move toward the register, I check my phone again. One new text.

Xander:

Counting the minutes.

The words make my chest ache in the best way. I text back before I can overthink it.

Me:

Don’t rush. I’m fine. Promise.

I slide the phone into my bag, but the uneasy feeling lingers.

I remind myself that Elliot is gone. Dead. Xander made sure of it.

There’s no one left to hurt me.

So why does it still feel like something’s watching?

Chapter 44

Xander

“If you lookat graph A, you will see…”

The business representative for Vayden Group drones on. This meeting has already gone over two hours, and our partnership was solidified long before it began. We’ve shifted into the detail portion. Normally, I’d be tearing their proposal apart piece by piece, but a beautiful brunette has been stealing all of my attention.

My phone buzzes again, and I scroll through the notifications.

Charge: $400 - Bloomline Garden Center.

Charge: $200 - The Potted Shed Garden Center.

Charge: $30 - Hearth & Bean Cafe.

Warmth fills my chest with each one that comes in. Proof that my wife is finally spending our money.

Me:

Did you get a coffee for me?

Dahlia:

It’s common practice not to buy things for one’s stalker. Gives them the wrong impression.

The corner of my mouth tugs into a grin. She has no idea how much of a stalker I can be. I open the location app she added, her own possessiveness shining through, and fuck, wasn’t that hot. She’s stopped less than ten minutes away from me. I just need this damned meeting to end, then I can go surprise her. And by surprise, I mean pull her into a back room and show her just how happy she makes me.

“What’s your opinion on this, Mr. Everette?”

Fuck,they’re all staring at me, eyes wide, like I’m a complete stranger.

If it were any other day and I’d caught anyone else zoning out in a meeting, I’d have their head. I’m known for meticulously picking apart each detail, but I don’t give a shit about any of this right now. The only reason I’m here is because Dahlia insisted.