Page 64 of Choosing Hope

Sophie is still beside me; I turn to catch her eye again. “Her mother is doing a fabulous job.”

Sophie smiles, but it’s forced, and I wish the ground would swallow me up.

“You’re very fortunate to have two such adorable girls,” Carlo says, his eyes dropping over my wife’s hot as fuck body.

She flushes, clearly enjoying his flirtation.

I know he’s teasing me, but now isn’t the moment. My brief black look is enough to silence him, thankfully.

Sensing the group of women circling behind us, I’m conscious we need to behave; I don’t want to embarrass Sophie. I force the corners of my mouth up into a smile and stand leaning toward my wife, my hand on the small of her back.

“Perhaps you’d like to introduce me to your friends, darling,” and then I drop my voice. “Before mine devours you.”

Her eyes grow wide in surprise, flicking her gaze between me and Carlo with a giggle, shaking her head before taking my hand and leading me toward the gaggle of women dressed in designer clothing.

As we approach, I become light-headed with the overpowering cloud of assorted perfume.

Chapter Fifteen

Sophie

Iwas very relieved to see my husband this afternoon. Lily’s reaction said it all; we’ve both missed him for the last few days while he was in Dubai, and for the few days before his departure. He put on a great show, but he and I both know our marriage is showing significant fissures.

Carlo does his best to break any residual tension between us, but sex won’t fix this. That’s what got us into this mess.

Once I’ve been the perfect hostess and introduced Spencer to our guests, I sneak away under the guiseof fixing Lily’s cake.

Spencer’s talking to my single girlfriend, Zoe, and with each step I take toward the house, her shrill flirtatious laughter tightens the knots in my stomach further.

Within five minutes of closing the door behind me, Carlo enters, bringing with him several empty plates of food.

“He’s just being polite, Bella,” he reassures me.

I turn, pasting a smile on my face, and nod, hoping to disguise my jealousy. A waste of effort with this man; he’s too astute.

“He’s not interested in ‘Little Miss Desperate’, and deep down you’re aware of that.”

His words are more forceful this time. I glance out of the window to see Spencer taking a step back from her, almost as if he’s repelled.

“To be honest, she’d be a great person to punish him with, though. She’s intolerable. If Spence hadn’t turned up, I was considering feigning serious injury just to get away from her,” he teases, trying to make me smile.

An idea takes root in my mind.

Before I get the chance to share it, Spencer enters the house with a distinct look of concern plastered across his face.

“Jesus, fuck. Don’t leave me out there with them. Some of those women are savages.”

I shoot a look at Carlo, silencing him.

“You don’t like my friend?” I ask with a regretful tone. “That’s a shame; I’ve invited her for a bit of adult playtime later. I thought she was just your type. She’sreallyinto you.”

Carlo and I both keep a straight face long enough for Spencer to respond.

“Pah, I’d rather stick my dick into an electrical socket!”

We both laugh.

“Judging by her desperation, I reckon you might get a similar effect,” Carlo says. “I bet nobody has been near her for years.”