“Thank you, Mr. Calloway.”
“This is amazing!”
“I didn’t think it was real.”
My fingers tighten around Griffin’s hand until we clear the cubicles. When we reach the lobby where the bitchy receptionist sits, I finally breathe.
“Monroe from thirty-six will cover you. Go to lunch, Ashley,” Griffin says.
Her jaw drops seeing his hand in mine.
“Thank you, Mr. Calloway.” Her voice is cold and quiet.
We step into the elevator. The doors close.
In the privacy of the car, I turn to look at him, an evil glint in my eye. “Her, too?”
“I didn’t expect her to stay,” Griffin says defensively.
“Does El know?” I feel like a gossiping teen.
“I think she suspects.” He gives me a half-hearted smile.
“How long ago?”
“Six months. She worked for the court downstairs. One of the partners brought her up because she’s hot. He’s married, and she wasn’t biting when he tried to seduce her, so I kind of wanted to fuck him over a little. So I seduced her.”
“That’s pretty shitty.” Maybe I don’t want to know more about Griffin.
“Yes. It’s really shitty. But she’s married. Did you not see her wedding ring?” He cocks his head at me like he’s won some sort of war.
“You are vile,” I tease, but I’m the slightest bit worried.
22
SELENA
I know Griffin and I are joking, but his history is troubling. I wonder how long it will be until he cheats on me.
I'm quiet, just thinking of what might transpire. I'm not morose or angry; I just know who I married. A man who needed a contract to secure a wife.
“When?” Griffin asks quietly. We are seated in the back of his town car, heading to the restaurant.
“What?” I look at him, my train of thought disrupted.
“When,” he repeats.
“When what?”
“When will I cheat on you? That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?”
He voices the exact concern I’ve been pondering.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. That’s one thing we do have—the truth. I don’t want us to start lying to each other now. “I guess when I’m big and pregnant. Or near the end of the year... when were you planning it? Or have you already?”
I’m surprised that I start choking up. “I guess it depends on who... maybe one of the receptionists?”
I’m feeling flushed and nauseous. I’m quickly losing my appetite.
