“Never,” he says quietly, but clearly. “Not ever during our marriage.”
I feel like I might pass out.
“Are you okay?” He touches my arm. “You look pale.”
“I’m fine,” I lie. “I’m just lightheaded.”
He reaches over and tips my chin up, scanning my face.
“We’ll eat with Beckett after your appointment. I want him to see you right now.” He takes out his phone and starts texting. While he’s typing, he speaks. “I’m going to answer your question, just give me a minute.”
He finishes his text and returns his gaze to my face.
“Selena.”
I try to swallow but find I can’t. “Yes,” I barely breathe.
“Why would you think I’m going to cheat on you?”
Breathe, Selena. Just take one breath, then another.
“You’ve cheated on all of them. El, the receptionist... you were looking for someone else when I met you.” Oh, I hate this feeling. “El mentioned that I’d won the temp lottery and that you and I are fake, which we are. I feel like they’re taking bets on when our marriage is going to fail.”
I’m starting to hyperventilate.
Griffin grabs a cold water bottle out of the fridge sunken between our seats. Instead of opening it, he presses the cool plastic against my flushed cheek.
“Breathe, Selena. Slow breaths.”
For a moment, we are silent until my breathing steadies. He then leans forward, lifts me off the seat, and scoops me into his lap. I feel like a child, but I also have a strange sense of protection. I realize in that moment how breakable I’ve been, and I think he’s doing all in his power to keep me whole.
“They can say whatever they want,” he tells me, his voice low and stern. “But they don’t get to define us. Or you.”
I rest my head against his chest.
“They know you married to save your reputation, but they think I’ve done it for the money.”
He laughs, the sound reverberating against my cheek. “I gave you a paltry amount for clothes and decor. Your grandest purchase to date is a one-hundred-fifty-dollar butterfly necklace. Which is very pretty, by the way.” He touches it softly. “And eighty-nine dollars on a roach motel. This leaves you twelve thousand three hundred and sixty-one dollars of your weekly allowance.”
“Weekly?” I’m completely shocked. “I thought you were paying me after our marriage ended.”
“Yes. But I also promised you a stipend. It’s Monday, so this week’s money has already been deposited into your account.”
“Skip it. I don’t need more,” I protest.
He puts a finger to my lips.
“Which is why you’re not a gold digger. You’re not even a gold scratcher. You are so far from the gold I need to send you a map just to find your own bank account.” He laughs.
“Okay, so don’t listen to them. I get it,” I sigh, still uneasy.
He brushes his thumb across my cheek. “I will not cheat on you, Selena, because I marriedyou. I didn’t marry them. I never once said they were anything more than fun. Wanting more from me was a fault in their judgment because I wasn’t able to give it. But I promised you I would be faithful for a year. I can do that.” He kisses the top of my head.
My heart warms a little. “Okay. At least I don’t have to worry for a year,” I say, trying to wiggle off his lap.
“Let them choke on their jealousy. I don’t care. And stop trying to run.” His grip tightens. “I’m only giving you one year because I want you to know that you can leave... because in a year’s time, that’s what you’ll want to do.” He lays his head back against the seat. “An incredible woman like you deserves to be with a better man.”
“You keep saying that.” I touch his face; it’s smooth now, freshly shaved. “What if I don’t want to go?”
