Page 75 of An Inevitable Marriage

This was precisely why I had to do everything I could to keep this company safe from them.

“Let me hear ’em,” I said, eyeing the stack of cards in Tamara’s hand.

She took a deep breath. “Mr. Maxwell Sr. has called numerous times in the last hour alone. He’dreallylike you to call him back.”

Yeah, I bet the bastard would. Couldn’t imagine what colorful language he used on my assistant either.

“I’m sorry you have to deal with him,” I said. “Find out if we can block his number.”

I paused, giving her enough time to answer, but apparently, she was still in shock. Eyes big, she stared at me with her mouth wide open.

“Any other messages?”

Tamara blinked a few times, then shook her head and quickly rattled off the rest of the messages. There were nine in total, and even though most of them were urgent, I couldn’t bring myself to care.

I had something more significant to worry about.

“Do I have anything on at twelve today?” I asked.

Retrieving her phone from her pocket, Tamara pulled up my schedule.

“You have a budget meeting with Mr. Lewis.”

I gritted my teeth. This was an important meeting, but so was my lunch date with Snow.

“Cancel it.”

“I-I’m sorry.” Tamara’s eyes widened. “Did you mean to tell me to cancel your budget meeting?”

My stare was unwavering. “Yes. I have other plans.”

“You have other plans?” Her mouth opened and closed a few times. “What could possibly be more important than a budget meeting?”

“I’m having lunch.”

Now she stared at me like I’d lost my damn mind. And maybe I had.

“You’re…having lunch?”

I should have just left it at that. But after rolling the words around inside my head, I wanted to say them out loud. Test the taste of them on my tongue. “Yes, Tamara, I’m having lunch…with my wife.”

I didn’t hate it.

“Wife?” she squeaked. So damn loud, too.

“Keep your voice down.”

“Sorry.” Her hands went to her mouth and her shoulders to her ears. “Sorry,” she said again. “It’s just, you’reyou… And you’re always so busy, I didn’t think you’d have time to date. And now you’re telling me you’re married. What gives?”

I should have been offended. A little ticked off that she was speaking to me this way. But this was Tamara. Her antics were as familiar to me as the paint on the walls.

Tipping my head to the side, I narrowed my eyes into thin slits. “I wonder howyourwife would feel about you keeping such close tabs on my personal life?”

“Oh please.” Tamara barked out a laugh. “She’d drag a chair closer, grab a bag of popcorn, and wait for all the tea.” The incredulousness I felt must have shown on my face because she laughed even more. “You’re a hot topic of discussion at our house, boss-man.”

I shook my head and curled my fingers around my door handle. “I don’t even want to know.”

“Probably best.” She snickered. “Oh, before I forget, Francisco is waiting in your office.”