Page 33 of The Husband Contract

“Not once.” I laugh.

“Maybe he’s special,” Katherine says. “Maybe he really is your reward for kissing a lot of frogs.”

“Thank God I didn’t kiss Clark Kent,” I say, shuddering. “I would’ve had to throw up.”

“That bad?”

“You know that he was,” I say, staring at them. “I love you girls. I want to thank you for always having my back. I want to thank you for supporting me and giving me advice.”

“We’ll always be here for you, bitch,” Katherine says, raising her glass.

I laugh softly. “I was thinking about my mom tonight.” I stare at them, and they both offer me soft and supportive glances. “I was wondering what advice she’d give me.”

“And what advice do you think she’d give you?” Brielle asks softly.

“I think she’d tell me to go for it,” I say with a small smile. “There aren’t many stories I know about my parents, but I will always remember the fact that they met at a fair, and my dad asked her to be his girlfriend the same day he met her.” I smile at the memory. “And he proposed to her a month later. Another month later, they were married. Maybe it’s a sign. Maybe for women in my family, things just happen fast. I mean, I don’t know, but maybe…”

“Why don’t you get your mom’s ring, and maybe its aura will provide comfort and guidance?” Katherine says. “It’s on your nightstand, isn’t it?”

I nod, loving the idea. I have a photo of my parents and me on my nightstand, along with a gold necklace that my grandma wore and then gave to my mom, and my mom’s engagement ring. I still remember when Charlotte tried to take it. I still remember how I cried and begged my aunt Mildred to let me keep it when I was fourteen. For a few moments, I didn’t think she was going to let me—she spoiled Charlotte so much—but something in her changed, and she said I could have it. I’ve kept it close to me ever since.

“You know what? That’s a good idea,” I say as I head to my bedroom. I pick up the ring and slide it onto my right hand, staring down at it. It’s beautiful. The band is twenty-four karat gold, and the 1.2 carat diamond glitters. I hold it between my fingers and rub it gently. My dad had saved up for a long time to buy my mom this ring.

“I miss you, Mom. I miss you, Dad,” I whisper. “I hope that wearing this ring will bring me good luck and a much better man than Clark Kent, because I cannot be dealing with losers like that anymore.”

I laugh to myself as I head back into the living room.

“You girls want to watch TV?” I ask.

“We can watch TV after you tell us some more about this Sebastian,” Brielle says as we all settle down on the couch. “I want to hear everything about him.”

“I will tell you guys everything.” I settle onto the couch and take a sip of my wine. “He’s a wonderful enigma. He makes me feel like a million dollars, and he may very well be by my North Star.” I smile at the thought. Could Sebastian Laurence really be my one?

Chapter Eight

Sebastian

“Jack, I’m telling you, this place is like something out of a TV show. One of those channels that cater specifically to women who love quaint small-town shows.” I laugh as I look around the room. It’s nice, and I can see why people are drawn to come here. I mean, it’s not anywhere I would choose myself.

“So, what’s she like?” he asks, his voice apprehensive, and I’m not quite sure how to answer his question.

“Are you tired? Did I wake you up?” I respond, feeling slightly guilty.

“I know it’s only seven a.m., but I was at the gym at five o’clock this morning,” he responds, laughing. “I woke up before the sun. You know that, Sebastian.”

“That’s what I thought. I didn’t know if you were getting lazy in your old age.”

"You're not going to answer my question?”

“She’s fine,” I say. “I took her on a date last night.”

“And?” he presses, and I’m slightly annoyed.

“It was fine.” The date had been more than fine. But I don’t really know how to explain the feelings I had as we stood there, watching the stars, with me pointing out constellations while she listened, asking questions, eyes bright with curiosity. The connection between us feltreal.

“So you’re not going to tell me anything else?” he teases. “You called me first thing in the morning to say it was fine?”

I sigh. “I’m feeling slightly hesitant about my plan. I’m not going to lie.”