We’d discussed it, and Oliver had decided he wished to be financially stable before we took that step. He wanted to offer a child everything possible. That made sense, although we’d grown up comfortably, there had been times when things had been tight for both our families. Naturally, Oliver wouldn’t want a child to suffer. As we pulled up outside the address Winona sent to me, I was stunned.
“Oliver, is this really the place?”
“This is the address we were given.” Oliver looked sick. “This is for the big boys, Alicia. Only the most exclusive are allowed entrance. Not even I can get a membership. Damnit, if these women are playing fucking games with you…”
“Oliver, do you think they would?” I gasped. As adults, surely, we were past that level of childishness now?
“Honey, I’m going to take you home. How dare they try to embarrass my wife? I’ll text Aaron and say you were unable to make it because of a headache,” Oliver growled out. Inside, I was dying of humiliation. They’d seemed so nice, and I’d believed them. Instead, this was a cruel joke on Oliver and me. We weren’t back in high school!
Oliver started the car engine and began to turn around. As he did so, the building’s doors opened, and Winona exited.
“Alicia!” Winona called and waved. Oliver deftly manoeuvred into a parking bay and pulled up at the steps. I waited as Oliver got out, his dark mood gone, and he smiled at Winona.
“Alicia turned her ankle this morning. I didn’t want her walking too far,” Oliver explained smoothly. I let the lie stand as Oliver opened the car door and helped me out.
“Oh, Alicia, are you okay?” Winona asked.
“Yes, it’s just a slight sprain. Oliver’s overly worried about me.” I smiled up at Oliver as I patted his chest, and he looked down. Love shone in his eyes, and I lapped it up. He bent his head and kissed me.
“If you need me to carry you inside…” he winked.
“Oliver!” I exclaimed, blushing, and he laughed.
Oliver turned back to Winona. “If Alicia’s in pain, would you call me? I’ll take her to hospital.”
Winona nodded and tucked my arm into hers. “We can drive Alicia back, Oliver. I hope you don’t expect her home early; we’ve ordered lunch and dinner.”
Oliver smiled, but I knew he was upset. He didn’t like that I wouldn’t be home for him, and that made me uncomfortable. Winona might mean well, but Oliver was my husband, and I didn’t want him to feel left out. Winona didn’t give Oliver a chance and dragged me inside.
I managed a weak wave goodbye, and Oliver sent me a wink. He didn’t have to voice it, but our future rested on me making a good impression!
Chapter Five.
Alicia
Winona led me into the building, which I now knew was an exclusive club. This was somewhere Oliver had set his sights on joining. Inside boasted sheer luxury, with wooden panels and decorated ceilings. The entire place dripped with money.
“We’ve a suite here. It belongs to the WS Club,” Winona said after I checked in at the reception desk.
“WS Club?”
“One day, we’ll explain… if you make the cut. Come on, Alicia,” Winona ordered, walking towards a discreet elevator. We entered, and Winona turned, wrinkling her nose. “Darling, you’re no older than twenty-six? Twenty-seven? Why on earth do you resemble an old society madam?”
Already agitated, I felt the rebuke and looked down at my clothing. “You don’t like these?”
“No. They’re styled for a grandma, and you’re certainly not that. I can’t believe the woman who wore that stunning dress yesterday is wearing crap like this. Is your entire wardrobe the same?”
“Sensible? Apart from my gardening clothes, yes. I don’t enjoy being on display,” I replied.
“You don’t, or Oliver doesn’t?” Winona demanded. The doors opened, and we stepped out into a foyer. Confused, I paused. Were we in the wrong place?
“Alicia! God, why do you resemble an old woman? I’m older than you and dress younger,” Oceana exclaimed as she peered out of a set of double doors.
“Oceana, I was just asking the same,” Winona agreed.
“Are you ladies usually so…” I struggled to find a polite way to say they were rude without being insulting.
“Abrupt? Blunt? Ill-mannered?” Rebel laughed as we walked into what was a penthouse.
