Page 61 of The Fake Husband Deal

“Someone’s been having too much fun,” Adam said, poking his head through my open office door. “You know hooking up isn’t a competitive sport, right?”

I bit my tongue and waited three seconds before I said, “You know I like to lean on my strengths. Anyway, what can I do for you? We don’t have a meeting booked, do we?”

“No.” He came in and sat on the chair in front of my desk. I took that as a sign that I was going to be dumped with a newclient or we were going to have a bro moment. “Is everything okay with you?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I don’t know? Because you’ve missed the Spencer Weekly for the last month? Or maybe because you run out of the office every evening like your ass is on fire?”

“I’m getting my work done and more. What are you getting at?”

He scrunched his brows. “How about the missing Sundays?”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Right.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Just wondering where my older brother is because I feel like I haven’t seen him since he practically ran out of the family brunch a month ago. Even Victoria has noticed.”

I turned my computer on and busied myself getting paperwork out of my drawers so I wouldn’t have to look at him.

It broke my heart to not see my family as much as I used to, but at the same time, I couldn’t handle being around them while I was keeping such a big secret.

“I’ll make an effort this weekend.”

I glanced at him. The hurt on his face hit me in the gut.

“Don’t do it on our account.” He stood up.

“Adam.”

“If it’s an effort to spend time with your family, then maybe it’s right that you’re not around as much. Even if Mom keeps asking about you and Avó is one skipped Sunday lunch away from breaking into your apartment and dragging you out by your ears.”

He was by the door when he turned around.

“For what it’s worth, it would be nice if you could attend the wedding rehearsal weekend at Mabel’s Vineyard on Peet Island. It was booked weeks ago, and you said you’d come.Victoria emailed you the details for the second time a week ago, but you haven’t RSVP’d. Usually, I’d take your word for it, but considering your recent absence, we’ll need actual confirmation.”

He walked out before I could say anything.

“Fuck.” I’d really messed things up.

A message popped up on my phone.

Lior

The meeting with the partners is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

Noah

I’ll be there.

Another one followed straight after.

Jax

Dude, you need to hang out with your brothers. I saw them at Tanner’s on Friday, and they asked about you. Why are you avoiding your family?