Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
It doesn't take me long to make it back home. Truly is still getting ready, sitting in a white robe while a woman plays with her hair. She shoos me along, so I jump into the shower and put on my own suit.
"Honey," I call when I exit the bathroom. Everyone is now gone, and there is only my wife standing there. "Truly." I swallow and start walking again. I hadn't realized I'd stopped. "You're breathtaking." And I mean that. She has only ever been the one that could do that to me.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She meets me the rest of the way. Her hand comes out to fix my tie. “Thanks for setting everything up today. I felt like a princess with how everyone was doting on me.” The dress is white, making me suddenly want a wedding. Nothing big, it could just be us, but to say our vows to one another.
“It’s the treatment you deserve, Truly. As your husband, I hope I will always be able to take care of you and make you feel that way.” She lifts her mouth up for me to kiss her. I oblige but don’t let it linger, not wanting to mess up her lipstick. “Let’s get there so we can get back. This dress is going to taunt me all night.”
“Really?”
I lead her out to our waiting vehicle. “Yes, really. I love the dress, Truly. It’s you.”
“That’s what I thought! The dresses they’d brought were unexpected. Unlike any my mother would ever let me buy.”
I’d figured as much. When she went to college, she was given freedom to shop on her own. I could quickly see her style change.
“That’s what Rachel helped me with mostly. The range of dresses and styles to bring over. I told her what you wear and about your personality. She was able to get that across to the stylist, it seems.”
"Rachel seems really nice.”
I take her hand into mine as we make the drive across town to the event. "What will happen if you sell or move, you know what I mean?" She waves her other hand, and I can tell she's flustered.
"That will be up to Rachel." We've already talked about a few ideas that she's mulling over. A few projects that she is excited about.
"Right."
"She won't be out of a job if she wants one," I reassure Truly. She doesn't like Emily but doesn't want me to fire her. Truly is tenderhearted. I'm sure she's worried about Rachel being a new mom. I don't want her to fret over it.
That was another reason I hadn't told her about trying to find my employees new jobs or packages. She's been worrying about a bunch of people she's likely never met. Truly could end up changing her mind out of guilt and want to stay. I want to keep the burden away from her.
"Oh my gosh, it just hit me." Truly sits up straighter. "Do you think my parents will be there tonight?"
"They were not invited," I reassure her, making her relax back into her seat. I can't wait for this to all be done with. Then Truly will not have to worry about bumping into them—that is, if we stay here.
“Oh wow, this is a big one," she notes as we pull up outside of the Monarch Center. There is a red carpet, and people are taking pictures in front of the step and repeat.
"More people, more money," I point out, not a fan of these. I'd rather send a check, but you have to show up from time to time.
"That's true." She nibbles on her bottom lip.
"We can walk past it." I hadn't had any plans of stopping.
"It's okay." Truly sits up straighter. I press a kiss to the top of her head before I open the door to step out. I give my wife my hand to help her out.
Fuck, she's beautiful. A few flashes hit us, lighting her up. I want to shove her back into the car and leave. I hate that I have to share her with the world, but I know that I can’t avoid it forever. The only upside to it is that everyone will now know she’s mine.
I kiss her hands before linking our fingers together. Truly lets me lead her toward the entrance. She gives a few polite smiles, which is taken as an opening.
"Mr. Lockheart!"
"Is that your wife?"
"Is it true you're opening a new branch on the West Coast?”
Truly flicks me a glance.
"I'm not here to talk about business. Tonight is about raising money for a good cause and"—I lift her hand to kiss it again—"enjoying an evening out with my beautiful wife." I watch her cheeks pinken, the same way they do when I talk filthy to her.
I only have to get through an hour. Then I can take my wife home and make her blush everywhere.