Mario's Trap

Zoe stared up to the face of the voice in shock. Henry’s eyes searched her face worriedly.

"What is wrong?" he asked. "You look like you have just seen a ghost."

"I needed to step outside for a moment," she replied, checking to see if Mario was anywhere in sight. Zoe could no longer find him in the swarm of people.

"You should have told me. Let us go somewhere else if you do not feel comfortable here."

Zoe shook her head. "You still have guests to meet. I do not want to keep you away from them."

"You are more important to me. Let us go."

She felt bad making him leave early because of her. Zoe followed him outside, letting Henry open the front door for her. "Since when are you this nice?"

"I am a changed man."

Zoe snorted at his claims. "That is hard to believe."

Henry was trying everything he could to gain her trust but she was being too hard headed. He should have known winning her over would take more effort and work. Coercing her into a contract marriage was obviously not e