A cold sweat breaks out in the back of my neck. I have no idea why Miles is calling me out like this. Could it be the check? I offended him so much that now he’s taking it out on my husband. But surely he overheard Cynthia talking about how Garnar wants an open marriage. Does he think a happy wife
At Senator Hamilton’s praise of me, the crowd turns on Thea and her unnecessary outburst. “A lady should know better than to speak so loudly, especially if she doesn’t know what she’s talking about,” says one of the guests to his wife. The words are spoken at normal volume, but with the hush of
Mr. George laughs slightly. He’s clearly enjoying this conversation, and my misfortune. “Miles would never wear shoes less than $10,000 a pair.” “Even that amount seems conservative,” Mrs. George adds. To me, she says, “You poor dear. You truly had no idea, did you?” “She meant well,” Miles
Garnar and I aren’t the only ones surprised by Miles sudden request. Many of the nearby guests, mostly high society socialites and their eligible daughters, gasp and take more interest in our conversation. I’m not blind. I’ve seen the way the younger single women at this party have followed Miles
At first, I try to maintain a respectable distance, but Miles is insistent. He tightens his hold around my waist, bringing me closer against his firm chest. Like this, our faces are close. I don’t know where to look, so I turn my head away. This puts my ear very near his mouth. I can feel his warm
The accusation startles me. Jealous? There’s no way I could be jealous. Miles and I shared a night of passion, sure, but I have no claim over him. I never did. Even when he were together, I knew it was only for one night. I have no right to be possessive, and therefore physically cannot be jealo
I blink, startled. Remember him? I’m not likely to forget the night we shared together, but that can’t be what he means. That just happened not all that long ago. He has to be referring to something else. But… what? “I don’t know what you are talking about,” I say. “Have we met somewhere befor
Did Garnar go on some kind of rampage and destroy all my lingerie? I bought this specific pair a year ago, when I still had fantasies of making my marriage work. No matter how hard I tried, or how sexy I looked, Garnar always found reasons not to have sex with me. I stopped buying after a while.
“I won’t,” he says. “I’ll never promise that.” At once, I’m endeared and annoyed. I love that he prioritizes me, but I hate that he doesn’t see how important his own career is in comparison. I’m just one woman. He’s about to lead the entire nation. He can’t give that up… for me. But there’s not
From beside me, Miles can easily see the paper. Yet, kind as he is, he doesn’t say one single word. “I stole from the corner store one too many times,” I explain. “I can’t fault the owner for finally trying to teach me a lesson.” Miles nods. “And the arson…?” “Attempted,” I clarify. “It was a
“You can tell us anything,” they would say, but the moment one of the girls tried to tell her teacher what was happening back at the orphanage, the girl was given detention for lying. Edward was called, to be made aware of the situation. Back at the orphanage, that girl wasn’t allowed to leave her r
The ad was vague, but threw enough shade at me for some of it to certainly stick. What a low blow, coming after me, using me and my past against Miles. As the ad ends and the regular news coverage returns, Miles mutes the television, throws the remote onto the couch, and storms toward his desk. “I
The next morning, the results are clear. Miles’s poll numbers are already starting to dive. Pundits debate back and forth, but the general consensus is that Edward won the debate. To many, Miles’s outburst was unwarranted and a sign of his youth and inexperience. The mood at campaign headquarters
Using his body to pin me down now, he doesn’t need to hold me down with his hand. He moves it down, over one of my own instead. We lace our fingers together and I hold on for dear life. It takes everything in me not to moan or scream or cry his name. He’s giving it to me so good, my whole body i
While everyone is in a state of shock, Miles turns away from Edward and storms off the stage. When he reaches me, he grabs my hand and drags me along behind him. We don’t slow, not to speak to the reporters waiting backstage. Not even to speak to the aides on our side, who are ready and waiting to h
Edward, however, doesn’t seem to have the same strategy, occasionally taking digs at Miles about his youth and perceived inexperience, ignoring that Miles has basically trained for this job since birth. Miles, in frustration, glances around as Edward gloats about his own successes running charitie
At once, the producer and his cameraman come closer. Out of nowhere, two other reporters join them, all with their own microphones, which they jam under my face. “Ms. Owens! What did you say to Mrs. Zimmer to start this fight?” “I… uh…” I don’t know how to respond. It’s still sinking in that thi