“Michaela, at the fault of sounding like a broken record, I’m going to repeat myself. Your soon-to-be husband is smoking hot. No one can blame you for making out with him.”
“A lot of good it did me to swear up and down on a stack of Bibles I wouldn’t allow him to touch me. My hormones tried to pull the emergency brake, but his potent male swagger and general deliciousness pretty much pulverized my walls.”
We sit in silence for a beat.
“I guess the sexless marriage goal is well and truly fucked after this morning,” Keira says.
“I told Phoenix it couldn’t happen again.”
Keira’s jaw drops.
“You can’t put the genie back in the bottle, Michaela. You realize that?”
“This morning was a lapse in judgment.”
She’s dumbfounded.
“You’re serious right now?”
“I am.” I offer a firm nod. “Moving forward, there’s no room in our fakerelationship for that kind of naughtiness. It felt too real, Keira. I don’t want to end up with the short end of the stick a year from now. Phoenix is a member of a private adult club. He’s used to casual hookups. I’m not. Our story isn’t meant to be forever. Why be a glutton for punishment?”
Once I was done oversharing, Keira declared I needed to work on my tan before my wedding day. I rushed to the guesthouse tochange into my bathing suit, and I’m about to run out the door, when my phone rings.
I look at the screen and accept the video call.
“Hey ladybug, how did it go this morning?”
“You look even more exhausted than you did this morning, Daddy,” I say instead of answering his question. The fatigue lining his features is so pronounced.
“Phoenix’s expert called to talk about the fire, and then the police called because they had more questions. It’s been a stressful morning.”
“Oh, gosh, Daddy, you’re dealing with a lot,” I say. “I’m sorry I’m not there to lighten your load.”
“We’ve talked about that at length, Michaela. Your only job is to get to the altar,” he says. “I’ll deal with the rest.”
A bitter laugh rumbles up from deep inside me. “Got it. Let’s get down to business, then.”
My father gives me a warning look, but I ignore him. I understand the urgency, but I resent how he makes me feel like I’m a commodity.
“You’ll be glad to know Phoenix and I ironed out all the important matters. Now, it’s a question of meeting with the lawyer Rhys found me.”
My father lets out an audible exhale. “Keira’s boyfriend was able to find someone to look over the prenup?”
“Yes. The lawyer will go over the prenup, the contract, and any other legalese before giving her blessing.”
“Since Phoenix won’t be footing the bill, will you be able to negotiate a payment plan of some sort?” There’s no mistaking the worry in his voice.
“Rhys wanted to pay for it in full, but I refused. He’ll front me the money and I’ll repay him back over time.”
“Okay,” Daddy says.
Silence stretches between us.
“Phoenix is a good man, Mikki.”
I grind my teeth together. “How would you know, Daddy? He’s just a business deal to you and a dossier an investigator collected.”
He stares straight into my eyes. “Phoenix is solid. He’ll be good to you, ladybug. In my heart, I knew he was the right choice.”
