Page 54 of All Tied Down

Leaning in, I press a kiss to her forehead and silently curse when the elevator dings. The moment deserved to be longer, the need to build her up still so potent as I follow her onto her floor.

But that door has closed, and all I can do is hope that I’ll get another chance to show her that even though our marriage is temporary, I’m not going anywhere.

EMERSON

I’m ignoring the way I can feel myself relaxing as Garrett and I eat dinner on the couch in my very expensive apartment. When Isla and I were climbing the corporate ladder, we both felt it was necessary to decorate our respective apartments accordingly.

And we did.

Sleek lines and neutral colors makes it look like something out of a magazine.

But it’s not a home.

It’s the space where I’ve been living for most of my adulthood, a distinction I wouldn’t have made before moving in with Garrett.

His house is definitely full of expensive pieces and features, but it’s comfortable. Roan and Colt had no problem walking in and dropping onto the couches in the living room like they’re still in college and not three incredibly successful professionals.

It’s strange.

And endearing…and suddenly this place doesn’t feel much like home. Because I also like falling into the couches in Garrett’s house and hopping up on the counter in the kitchen while he’s making coffee.

There are no band shirts for me to steal here either.

I snort at the last thought, drawing his attention as he freezes with his fork halfway to his mouth.

“What?”

“I was thinking about how much cozier your house is.” I wave my fork around. “This place has zero personality and none of your shirts that I’ve been wearing to bed.”

The closet and drawers here are stocked with matching silk pajamas and other designer sets that appear casual but cost the same as some mortgage payments.

“Good thing I packed an extra one, isn’t it?” he says rather smugly.

“Did Theo tell you to do that?”

“No, I thought of it all by myself.” He pouts and I cover my smile with my hand before schooling my expression.

“I apologize. I’m incredibly impressed.”

He harrumphs and it’s refreshing. He’s so casual and easy and nothing like the other men I’ve been out with. Garrett North is a good man, a fact that had been at the forefront of my mind when Quinn had been terminated.

“Do you want to talk about what happened today?” he asks as if reading my mind.

“Do you know Heather Fraser?”

“Yeah, I went out with her for a couple of months, like, three or four years ago. Why?”

“A woman in my office, Quinn, was communicating with her about you—us—speculating on our marriage being fake. She was listed as a source. It violates the contract every employee signs when they start working at Andrews International, and she was terminated.”

“And you think that it’s because, what? Heather’s still hung up on me?”

“Is she?”

“I can ask Theo. I don’t have a whole lot to do with my social media accounts, but I don’t remember him saying anything about it.”

“Did it end amicably?” I ask, trying to keep the hint of misplaced jealousy from my voice. It was years ago so it shouldn’t matter.

But it does.