The elevator doors ding open, and I gesture for Guy to go ahead. “After you,” I tell him, silencing my cell and slipping it into my pocket.
It’s time for the real schmoozing to begin.
Brooklyn
Chapter 23
“So, what are you guys doing for Luka’s birthday?” Emzee asks, ripping open a bag of peanut butter pretzels.
We’re at a park near her apartment, her dog Munchkin doing his best to keep up with Mr. Kibbles as they frolic around the fenced-in area for smaller dogs. Who knew a pudgy French bulldog and a greyhound would be such good friends? They make quite a comical-looking duo.
I cringe. “Uh, I’m still working on it.”
Truthfully, I had no idea his birthday was coming up. Some wife I am. Then again, I’ve been too busy fighting with him to remember I also secretly love the guy. Sometimes.
“Then you have no plans yet!” Emzee says around a mouthful of pretzels, and I get the impression she’s strangely pleased that I’ve dropped the ball on my wifely duties. She swallows and clears her throat. “This is perfect, because I knowexactlywhat all of us need.”
“All of us?” I repeat. “You mean, like…the whole family?”
She nods, passing me the bag. “A spur-of-the-moment Bahamas getaway at an all-inclusive resort. We could really use a distraction from the trial news that’s all over social media and on TV, and plus it’ll give us all a chance to reconnect. It’s a win-win.”
I give it a think as I chew, debating the pros and cons. It would be nice to have a break from all the tension lately, and there’s no way Luka will stay in a pissy mood when he’s around his family. And bonding with the whole Zoric clan would be a major step in the right direction for our on-the-rocks marriage.
“That actually sounds amazing,” I finally admit. “And with Luka’s birthday coming up, it’s the perfect time for him to take a few days off. Although I doubt he’ll agree.”
“Don’t be so sure about that,” Emzee says. “Stefan’s a total workaholic too, and Tori convinced him in one day. Or should I say one night…”
She gives me a devious eyebrow wiggle and I have to laugh.
“I’ll do my best,” I tell her. “But I can’t make any promises.”
“That’s too bad,” she says. “Because I already booked the trip.”
My jaw falls open. “What?”
Emzee clasps her hands in front of her like she’s praying. “Don’t be mad! The deal was too good to pass up and I was afraid it would sell out! I’m sending you the itinerary now. This place is so gorgeous, Brooklyn, you’re going to love it. Me, you, and Tori can get manicures at the spa and sit around the pool all day drinking rum punches with those little paper umbrellas.”
“That would be heaven…” I admit, my mind already filling with images of palm trees.
She whips out her cell and taps at it with a look of triumph on her face, and my phone pings almost immediately with an email. My sister-in-law jumping the gun on booking this trip does not surprise me in the least, but it does make me feel panicked over how exactly I’m going to get my husband on board with all of this.
But God, I’d love to feel like things are normal again. Like I belong.
“I’ll figure it out,” I tell her.
“I’m sure you have your ways. You’re his wife. You know all his weaknesses.”
I laugh along with her, but in reality, I still have a lot to learn about my husband. Thanks to our disaster of a honeymoon, I didn’t get the chance to extend the “get to know you” game that couples usually play. Nor has there been a natural progression in intimacy between us, so…
We get the dogs back on their leashes and then part ways with a hug, me promising to call Emzee as soon as I’ve gotten a solid yes from Luka.
Back at the apartment, I sink onto the couch to scroll through the itinerary. White sand beaches. Clear, blue-green water. Sunny weather for days. And all the fruity drinks I can handle. I am so on board with this trip. Not just for some time out of this damn penthouse, but for the chance to reconnect with my sisters-in-law, too. I don’t see Tori or Emzee as often as I’d like, and our schedules rarely align so that we’re all free to meet up at the same time.
My mind wanders to the three of us on the beach, gossiping and spilling secrets as we sip cold drinks and maintain a nice buzz all day. I’m sure Tori would like some uninterrupted time with Stefan, too, and I know Luka and I could use some alone time in a different setting. I imagine he’ll enjoy seeing me sashay around in a string bikini—and if he’s lucky, nothing at all when we’re alone in our room.
Maybe getting out of here will break the dysfunctional routine we’ve fallen into. Rejuvenate our relationship. Maybe it’ll even help Luka realize that hewantsto work on it.
The gears in my head start turning. Normally, I’d go the seductive route. Slip into something sexy, drop to my knees, and suck him off until he’s putty in my hands. With Luka, sex is basically foolproof as a method of persuasion. But nowadays, the sex we have is so wrapped up in anger and resentment that I don’t think it’s the best way to go. The whole “dutiful wife” routine has also been played out at this point. I need to think on it some more.
