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Madden’s jaw clenches.

Christopher must value his life because he quickly takes off and leaves us alone. But now that angry, wolfish smile is directed at me. “What are you doing?”

I grimace at his sharp tone. “Madden, calm down. He just asked me to dance. He said it would show solidarity between our families in spite of the election.”

“And you believed him? He was probably trying to get information out of you to use against me.” He says through gritted teeth.

“I thought it would reflect well on you. And heaven forbid that a nice man might ask me to dance without ill intent,” I reply, trying unsuccessfully to hide my anger.

“First of all, Christopher isn’t nice. Secondly, I told you I would dance with you. You could’ve been a little more patient,” he hisses, trying not to draw attention to our argument.

My head rears back in shock. He did not just say that. “Madden, I’ve been waiting for hours. Forgive me if I don’t believe your promises so easily. They’ve been forgotten before.”

His jaw drops. “We’re leaving now. I will not argue with my wife at a public event.”

Madden hardly waits for the dance to end before he drags me toward the exit. We ride in silence to our apartment. I don’t dare speak, hoping the drive home will allow him time to calm down and think rationally.

It’s almost ten once we walk through the front door. I just want to go to sleep and put this awful night behind us, but I hear Madden loudly drop his wallet and keys onto the dining table and know that I’m in for a brawl.

“So, is this how it’s going to be?” He throws his hands up.

I sigh. “What on earth do you mean?”

“Whenever I don’t pay enough attention to you, you go find another man to entertain you?” His jaw twitches in anger.

I cross my arms across my chest defensively. “That is preposterous, and you know it. I already told you why I accepted his invitation to dance. Where is all of this coming from?”

His eyes pierce mine. I see anger in his gaze but also sadness, like I’ve wounded him. He whispers, “I hate feeling jealous and paranoid.”

“Madden, I’m sorry that you’re hurt. Surely you know I would never betray you, and if you don’t know me well enough by now to trust my character then I don’t know how we’ll ever keep up this facade.” I’m trying to keep emotions out of my voice, but my eyes betray me as one hot tear runs down my cheek.

Madden slowly turns and walks down the hallway to his room, closing the door softly behind him.

This evening has utterly exhausted me, physically and emotionally. I head to my room and draw a hot bath. I don’t know how I’m going to get a wink of sleep tonight, knowing that Madden is stewing just down the hallway. But there’s nothing more I can do.

Chapter 21

Madden

It seems like the only thing I do in bed anymore is lie awake staring at the ceiling, thinking of all the dumb things I’ve said and done. I am kicking myself for letting my anger get the better of me. Odette is honest and kind. I know that, and I know she’s telling the truth about Christopher.

That little son of a biscuit. Part of me wanted to punch him when I saw his hands on my wife’s waist and his head leaning in to whisper in her ear. A larger part of me just felt stupid that I wasn’t the one holding her in the first place.

With a groan, I roll over and flick on the lamp on my nightstand.

I’ve spent most of my life controlling my emotions and keeping myself in check. Since Odette came into my life, though, my thoughts are a constant kaleidoscope. I can’t seem to gain control over them.

Needing something to distract myself, I reach for the stress management book I purchased last week.

If Odette desired attention, it’s my fault for not giving her the attention she needed. I am so confused about my feelings for her. Some days I just want to give into them, but I’ve kept my heart under lock and key for so long, I’m not sure I still know how.

After re-reading the same sentence in my book ten times, I finally give up and set it back on the nightstand. I might as well get up and get a glass of warm milk. That always used to work when I was a kid.

Using my phone as a flashlight, I pad out into the kitchen and turn on the overhead light. I grab the milk, a loaf of bread, and some jam out of the fridge. While the bread is crisping in the toaster, I fill a glass with milk. Just as I’m about to take a sip, I hear a sound behind me. Before I can look over my shoulder, I hear Odette shriek.

“Madden! Why on earth aren’t you dressed?” Her voice is high-pitched, almost a scream.

I look down, realizing that I’m just wearing my black boxer briefs. I’m equally amused and annoyed by her reaction. “Am I not allowed to walk around in underwear in my own home?”