Page 68 of The Wrong Husband

Whatever she reads in my eyes has her giving in. She tries on and finally settles on three pairs.

I pay for the purchases. We walk out, me holding the packages. We get into the car, and before I can touch the start button my phone vibrates. I frown at the message.

“Everything okay?”

I begin to nod, then stop. “It’s from the CEO of Save the Kids.”

“That’s the charity you want to fund?"

I nod. "Did a stint with them during my gap year, before I joined university, before I went undercover. And what I saw changed me forever. I know it's a cliché, but truly, children are our future. They’re innocent of wrongdoings but pay the highest price for the faults of us adults. I knew then, I could use the resources at my disposal to help them." I type out a reply to themessage. “Their situation is getting more urgent. They’re going to run out of money, unless I arrange for a cash infusion in the next month.” I rub the back of my neck.

In the silence that follows, I look up and notice the contrition on her face.Uh-oh.“I didn’t mention that to make you feel bad.” I set my phone aside.

“I know, you didn’t.”

“And I know, I brought it up as a reason for you to marry me, but you shouldn’t let it influence you.”

“I don’t understand you.” She furrows her eyebrows. “First, you propose a marriage of convenience to meet both our needs. Now, you tell me I shouldn’t let it act as a motivator. Even though, if I marry you, you’ll get access to your trust fund, and you plan to use it to improve the lives of children who desperately need help. Not to mention, it would save the jobs of so many of my colleagues who can’t afford to miss a single monthly paycheck.”

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel. “I don’t want you to feel pressured into marrying me.”

She shakes her head. “A little too late for that. I have the fates of these kids hanging on my conscience.”

I turn to her. “I’m sorry to have put you in this position; I truly am.”

“And now, you know exactly what to say to make me feel even worse.” She throws up her hands. “Not only are you sexy, and charming, and rich, but you’ve paid close attention to my needs. So even though I’m upset that you followed me, I can’t stay upset, because you’re using the knowledge in a way that makes me feel appreciated. I should be pissed off that you tried to negotiate a marriage with me, but it turns out, you want to use the money it unlocks for a good cause.” She scowls at me. “Also, you don’t hesitate to apologize when you’re wrong."

“And that’s bad?” I ask slowly.

“Very bad. Because it makes you…” She points a finger at me. “It makes you incorrigible and irresistible.”

My heart swells in my chest. A warmth courses through my veins. I feel like I’ve won a major battle… One I didn’t realize I was fighting. I thought I’d been trying to woo her, but really, I was trying to show her that I'm good enough for her. That she needs me in her life. That she can trust me. That I amthe onefor her. And while my actions were aimed at making life easier for her, I’m selfish enough to hope it’s made a difference in how she’s coming to view my marriage proposal.

“If I could go back and change what I said, I would.”

She tilts her head, a curious expression on her face.

“I’d do the wooing first and bring up the marriage proposal later.” I purse my lips. “Except?—”

“—except time’s running out. You need to access your trust fund, and I need to find a way to save the ER.”

“I wish it weren’t so, but you’re right.”

My phone vibrates with another message.

I growl in annoyance. The entire world seems to need to reach me today. At this moment. When I’m spending time with the most important person in my life.

I don’t look at the device.

It vibrates again.

“Maybe you should get it,” she says softly.

“I’d much rather keep my eyes on your face.”

She bites her lip, trying to stifle a smile. And damn, I’m chuffed that I made her feel good again.

My phone vibrates a third time.