bChapter /bb112 /b

    Olivia

    25%

    I stared out the jet window as Los Angeles sprawled beneath us, the city glittering like scattered diamonds against the dusk. The pilot announced our descent, and I reluctantly pulled myself away from the viewi, /iturning to Alexander.

    “Back to reality,” I sighed, stretching in my seat.

    Alexander looked up from hisptop. “Not a fan of the real world?”

    “Not when the alternative is a private ind with infinity pools and a personal chef.”

    “We can go back anytime,” he said, closing hisptop. “Just say the word.”

    The jet touched down with barely a bump, taxiing to a private hangar where a ck Escde waited on the tarmac. Alexander’s driver greeted us with a professional nod, taking our luggage and stowing it in the trunk.

    “Wee back, Mr. and Mrs. Carter.”

    Mrs. Carter. The title still felt foreign, like someone else’s name tag that had identally been pinned to my shirt.

    +23

    The drive to Alexander’s penthouse was quiet, and both of us were tired from travel. I watched familiarndmarks pass by: palm trees silhouetted against the sunset, billboards advertising thetest blockbusters, and cars inching along in the eternal LA traffic.

    “You’re quiet,” Alexander observed, his hand finding mine in the darkness of the backseat.

    “Just tired,” I said, letting my head rest against his shoulder. “And maybe a little sad the honeymoon’s over.”

    His thumb traced circles on my palm. “Who says it has to be?”

    I smiled despite my exhaustion. “Pretty sure your grandfather expects you back at work tomorrow.”

    “Probably,” he conceded. “But nights are still ours.”

    When we arrived at the penthouse, I headed straight for the shower while Alexander dealt with our luggage. The hot water soothed my travel–stiff muscles, washing away the airne staleness.

    1 emerged wrapped in a towel to find Alexander sprawled on the bed, eyes closed. For a moment, I thought he was asleep, but then he spoke without opening his eyes.

    “Feel better?”

    “Much,” I said, rummaging through my overnight bag for clean underwear. “Your turn.”

    “In a minute,” he murmured. “Just resting my eyes.”

    1

    I slipped on panties and one of Alexander’s t–shirts, which hung to mid thigh on me. By the time I finishedbing my bhair/b, Alexander’s breathing had deepened into the rhythm of sleep.

    Smiling to myself, I tucked a nket around him and padded to the kitchen. My phone buzzed with a text from Emiha

    Emilia You back in LAY Girls‘ night at O’Malley’s tonight. Non negotiable.

    176

    18:35 Fri, 22 Aug

    I nced at the time. Only 7:30. I could still make it if I hurried.

    Me: Justnded. Can be there by 9. Alexander’s asleep.

    Emilia: Perfect! Leave the CEO sleeping beauty ande drink with us. We want ALL the honeymoon details!

    I texted back a quick confirmation, then scribbled a note for Alexander in case he woke up before I returned.

    After changing into jeans and a soft sweater, I called a cab and headed out.

    When I arrived, O’Malley’s was packed, with the usual night crowd spilling onto the sidewalk. I spotted Emilia, ire, and Ariana at our usual corner table and wove through the crowd toward them.

    “The bride returns!” Emilia crowed, jumping up to hug me. “Without her groomb, /bI see.”

    “He’s jetgged,” I exined, sliding into an empty chair. “Fell asleep as soon as we got home.”

    “Home,” ire repeated, raising an eyebrow. “So it’s ‘home‘ now, not ‘Alexander’s penthouse‘?”

    I felt my cheeks warm. “Figure of speech.”

    “Mmhmm.” Ariana pushed a ss of wine toward me. “We ordered for you. Now spill. How was the honeymoon?”

    I took a long sip before answering. “It was incredible. The ind was gorgeous.”

    “Fuck the ind,” Emilia leaned forward. “How was he?”

    “Emilia!” I hissed, ncing around to make sure no one was listening.

    “What? You can’t expect to run off with Alexander Carter to a private ind and not give us details.”

    “I can and I will,” I said primly. “Some things are private.”

    “So there are things to keep private,” ire observed with a grin. “Interesting.”

    I rolled my eyes. “You guys are relentless.”

    “That’s why you love us,” Ariana said, raising her ss. “To Olivia’s mystery honeymoon. May the secrets be worth keeping.”

    We clinked sses, and for twenty blissful minutes, the attention shifted from my marriage.

    Until Emilia circled back.

    “Seriously, Liv,” she said, refilling my wine ss. “We’re dying here. Give us something. Anything.”

    I sighed, knowing they wouldn’t let up. “Fine. The ind was incredible. Private chef, infinity pool, beach ess. Alexander was

    attentive.”

    “Attentive howi?/ii” /iire pressed.

    “Just considerate,” I hedged. “Made sure I wasfortable, had everything I needed.”

    “Did he make sure you came at least twice a day?” Emilia asked bluntly.

    “Emilia!” I spluttered, nearly choking on my wine.

    18:36 Fri, 22 Aug

    “What? Valid question. Man looks like he knows his way around a pussy.”

    “Jesus, Em,” I nced around, mortified. “Can we not discuss this in public?”

    “Fine,” she conceded. “But at least tell us if he’s good. Scale of one to ten.”

    I took another sip of wine, considering. “I’m not rating my husband’s sexual prowess.”

    “So he’s a ten,” Ariana concluded. “Got it.”

    “I didn’t say that!”

    “You didn’t have to,” ire grinned. “Your face says it all.”

    I buried my face in my hands. “You guys are the worst.”

    “You love us,” Emilia said confidently. “Now, let me get the next round.”

    As she headed to the bar, ire leaned closer. “Seriously, Liv, you look happy. It’s good to see.”

    “I am happy,” I admitted, surprised by how true it felt.

    “Even if this all happened really fast?”

    “Sometimes fast is good,” I said, thinking of Alexander’s arms around me on the ind. “Sometimes you just know.”

    Ariana raised an eyebrow. “Know what, exactly?”

    3 25%.

    Before I could answer, Emilia returned with a tray of shots. “Tequ time,dies! Let’s celebrate Olivia’s return to civilization.”

    We clinked sses and downed the shots, the alcohol burning pleasantly down my throat.

    +23

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