Page 108 of Dirty Husband

They order their usual drinks and start competing on who can give the best advice about marriage.

Never go to bed angry.

Never go to bed in flannel pajamas, always something sexy.

Never go to bed in something sexy, always leave him wondering. Besides, flannel is very practical. And the plaid is cute.

And on and on.

I nod with them as the room fills with Shep's colleagues and friends.

Nick finds Lizzy immediately. It's been half an hour, an hour maybe, but he still kisses her like he's going to war. Like this might be the only chance they get.

My heart warms. My thoughts get fuzzy. Or maybe that's the gin.

I order another round anyway. I don't want to think about how Shep will never love me. About how I'm destined for an eternity with a man who will never hand me his heart.

This is a good deal. I'm coming out ahead. Even if it's with a broken heart.

Mmm. The second is better. It dulls the voice whisperingthis is a bad idea. Then my eyes flit to him.

Shep walks in with my dad. Dad's in a suit and tie and he's walking fine on his own. He's a little pale, sure, but he looks good. Healthy.

And Shep… he looks happy. Over the moon even. His eyes find mine. He smiles and my heart melts.

Mai whispers something about Shep being handsome.

"You're a lucky woman," Quyen agrees. "If he's half the lover he is the looker—"

They giggle like schoolgirls.

I let Shep and Dad meet us here. I don't even fuss when Dad orders whiskey. This is a party. He deserves to have a little fun too.

"I didn't know you were picking up Dad," I say.

Dad shakes his head. "He sent a limo. Very fancy." He holds up his drink. "To Shepard taking care of my daughter."

"I promise, I will try my best." Shep offers me his hand.

When I take it, he squeezes my palm. It's not the steady gesture of earlier. It's frantic. Rushed. Like he's trying to cling to something stable.

Or maybe I'm imagining things.

Shep's eyes go to my drink. They fill with a hunger. Then they move over my body and the hunger shifts to something baser.

"She's a lucky woman," Mai says again, though this time it's a question, directed at Shep. "To have such a devoted man."

"No." He rises to meet her challenge. "I'm the lucky one." He pulls me toward him. "I count my blessings every day."

My body melts into his. My hands go to his shoulders.

Has he always been this tall? Or does he seem bigger today, like he takes up more space, commands more of a presence?

I let my fingers curl into his neck. Not the rough gesture of his touch. Something soft. Gentle. Inviting.

His eyes meet mine. He stares down at me like he's madly in love with me. Then he brings his palm to my skin. He cups my cheek as he leans down to kiss me.

For a second, the rest of the world fades away. I forget my family is behind me. I forget Shep's colleagues are in front of me.