Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Mrs. Carter, will all due respect—”
“Don’t use words that you don’t understand,” she said. “You can kiss that exclusive you have scheduled with Hayden Hunter later this year goodbye, as well as any other high profile celebrity ones, because once we tell everyone we know how you can’t stick to your word, you’ll be interviewing audience members about their favorite ice cream flavors and your ratings—along with your show—will be flushed down the drain.”
She paled. “I’m sorry.”
“No, but you will be soon.” She stormed off, and I followed her into the hallway.
Exhaling, she looked up at me. “I shouldn’t have said anything with all the camera crew and staff still around. I’m sorry, I just—“
“Stop.” I interrupted. “I was seconds away from doing the same thing. She deserved every word.”
“Okay, well, glad you agree,” she said. “About this morning…”
I raised an eyebrow. “What about it?”
“I lost track of time,” she admitted. “I stayed up too late and I overslept.”
“Is this your version of an apology?”
“I was getting there,” she said. “Sorry.”
“You’re completely forgiven.” I smiled and started to walk away. “I’ll see you at home.”
“Wait. We’re flying back to Vegas together, right?”
“No, but you’re more than welcome to ride to the airport with me and wait for your own takeoff,” I said.
She crossed her arms, looking confused.
“Since you flew here late, the pilot you came here with will take you back late. Otherwise, how will you ever learn your lesson about time?”
“Is this some type of joke?”
“Do you hear me laughing?”
She tapped her heel against the floor, pursing her lips again. “For the record, being married to you these past several days has made me hate you in a way I didn’t before. You’re a fucking terrible husband.”
“That feeling is now mutual, Mrs. Carter.” I smiled at her. “Have a safe flight.”
TWENTY THREE
TWELVE DAYS AFTER SAYING “I DO”
TATIANA
Las Vegas, Nevada
Text from My Terrible Husband:
We need to talk. Come see me.
Me:
No, we don’t. I’ll pass.
Text from My Terrible Husband
I’m asking you nicely.
Me:
ask. (verb) to put a question to; inquire of; a request in order to obtain an answer or some information.
Please save that definition to your phone and try again.
He didn’t respond.
Figures.
I set down my phone and pulled out one of my business books. I read through the first few chapters, highlighting all the mistakes I’d made when I built my brand.
In the middle of analyzing my profit and loss sheet, a brutal chill kissed my shoulders.
Why is it so cold in here all of a sudden?
Putting on a sweater, I started to call Travis’s housekeeper, but the sound of Sailor Moon’s theme song caught my attention.
Confused, I stepped into the hall and followed the notes past the living room and into a luxury theater that was fit for fifty.
On the big screen, my favorite episode from the English-dubbed version played, and a bucket of freshly popped popcorn stood between plushy red seats.
“This is a trap…” I muttered.
“No, it isn’t.” Travis walked behind me, a glass of wine in hand. “I’ve heard it’s not a good thing for a husband and wife to go more than one night without talking to each other.”
“How is that remotely relevant for our situation?”
“Because we need to talk.” He took a long sip of his wine. “I was beginning to think I’d have to place the air conditioning on sub-zero for you to come see me.”
“You turned my room into an igloo on purpose?”
“It worked.” He smiled, and my heart flipped.
My brain begged me to run like hell back to my igloo.
“I assume this is still your favorite show, correct?” He took a seat. “Let’s watch an episode together and have our first real married chat.”
I remained frozen, glancing at a scene where Tuxedo Mask—the hero who honestly serves no purpose—appears with a rose between his teeth.
Travis and I had watched this episode plenty of times in the past, but he never willingly turned on this show.
He patted the seat next to him, and I took a few steps forward. Then a few more.
It wasn’t until halfway through the episode that I gave in and fell into the chair next to him.
Under his gaze, I grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed the kernels into my mouth.
“What exactly do we need to talk about, Travis?”
“How nothing in this world is free. Except a view of the sun and the sky, maybe.”
“That’s so profound and moving,” I said. “What’s your point?”
“Well, given the fact that I’m being charged for a favor that was supposed to be free, and I’m practically paying for you to live here, I think it’s only fair that you start contributing,” he said. “Perhaps it’ll make you happier.”
“I’m not following.”
“You’re about to.” He handed me a sheet of paper. “I’ll add up everything at the end of our ninety-day deal, but I’m afraid you’ve already racked up quite the bill.”