You're The One

by Layla Hagen

  Skye grinned. “Your lack of answer is an answer anyway.”

  Tess nodded. “We’re good with that. For now.”

  By the time lunch finished, I was in a much better mood. It carried on into the evening. Josie was already at home when I arrived, on the terrace. She was lying on a blanket and had lit candles everywhere.

  “What’s up with the candles?” I asked.

  “I’ve read this book that says candlelight helps with relaxing. Was just testing it out.”

  “What’s the verdict?”

  “So far, so good.” She patted the blanket. “Come here. How did it go today?”

  I’d only shot her a message after I left the immigration building, because she’d been in meetings all day.

  “It was very short... and I just had the feeling that they’re baiting me, asking about our marriage.”

  Josie swallowed, shrugging. “We knew that might happen. Let’s not worry unless it escalates. How was the rest of the day?”

  “My cousins stopped by for lunch. We looked over Tess and Skye’s business plan.”

  I left out the other details. It wasn’t just that I hadn’t been ready to answer their questions. I wasn’t even ready to examine my own feelings.

  “Those two are a powerhouse. I’m sure they’ll do great. I’ve always been jealous of your working lunches.”

  “Join us. I’d love to have you there.”

  “You forget, I’m a lawyer. I’ve not only signed off my time to the firm, but also my soul. Lunches are just an excuse for more work. But I’m used to it.”

  “I can make up for all the stress in the evening.” I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. Laughing, she pushed me on my back on the blanket, propping her chin on my chest.

  “How?”

  “You tell me.”

  “You know what? My parents had this tradition where they met on the way home and talked about their day before they arrived. How about we make our own traditions? Catch up on the day just before dinner? We can come out here. Candles optional. I’m still weighing the pros and cons. What do you think?”

  My heart started beating faster. I remembered a few traditions from my childhood before things went south. Traditions I hoped to pass on when I had my own family. I’d brushed off those thoughts for years, because some things had seemed out of reach, even for me. Josie was giving me something I’d never had before, never even dreamed of having.

  “I think you’re a genius. And I’m completely on board with you,” I said.

  “You’re agreeing so fast with me these days, I don’t even know what to make of it.”

  Grinning, I pulled her closer to me. “You’ll see, Josie. You’ll see.”

  I wanted more of whatever this was—of everything Josie could give me.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Josie

  “This is heaven. Pure heaven,” I whispered.

  “You’re easy to please.”

  I opened an eye. “You’re joking, right?”

  We were in the reading nook I’d arranged in the empty corner between the couch and the window.

  In the three weeks since we’d returned from the honeymoon, we’d definitely kept to our tradition, though I had given up on the candles. Way too messy.

  We spoke about our day before dinner and either ordered in, or we cooked. About once a week we attended some fancy function where I got to dress up in the elegant dresses I’d bought. On Saturday mornings, we went to a nearby farmer’s market.

  We hadn’t heard from the immigration services. As long as they didn’t call me in for an interview as well, I wasn’t worrying. But I knew better than to relax. The agency gathered evidence before acting.

  “Look at you. You’ve got hot chocolate and a book, and you’re happy.”

  “I also have you giving me foot rubs. Don’t downplay your role.”

  “Do you want another hot chocolate?”

  “Is the earth round? Yes, please.”

  He moved my feet away from his lap, standing up. I followed his every movement to the kitchen, drinking in that sexy sway of his ass. He worked out a lot. Aside from his evening runs on the treadmill he’d put in one of the guest rooms, he also went to the building’s gym four times a week, where he rigorously trained each group of muscles.

  Since I did my yoga routine in the morning, I had no use for the gym, but I did go to the sauna. As a plus, I could spy on this sexy man.

  He handed me a cup and resumed the foot rub. Hot damn, how was this man even real? He made me feel like a queen.

  “How was your day?” he asked.

  “Long and stressful. We’re in the home stretch with a case we’ve been working on for three years, but I swear it’s cutthroat now. How was yours?”

  “Busy, but in a good way. We need new staff for our Miami branch, and I’m involved in managerial hires. I see about five new candidates a week.”

  “Live interviews or video conference?”

  “I want live interviews. I can read people better in person. First impression is important. For those who make the second round, I’ll just do video calls.”

  He pressed his thumbs on my sole, then expertly massaged my calves. I seriously was in heaven. What could be more perfect than this?

  “Anyone giving you trouble at work?” he asked.

  “Not more than usual. They do give me the side eye, though, when I brag about a certain someone.”

  “Who might that be?”

  “My husband. I happen to be very proud of him.”

  He gave me an intense look I couldn’t quite decipher. Even as I said it, my heart squeezed. We were growing close in ways I hadn’t imagined before. I loved how he always joined me in the nook, bringing me a cup of hot chocolate or tea, or sometimes just worked on his laptop in silence.

  I was already getting attached to our life, to the house, and it had only been a month. How could I say goodbye to all this in three years?

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  I shrugged, unsure how to put it in words. Did he like this intimacy as much as I did? Or was he sharing because it had become a routine, because we lived together?

  “Do you want to look over the to-do list for the school?” I asked, not just to change the subject, but because I genuinely loved the project.

  Hunter leaned in, cupping my cheek. “Josie, this is your free time. You’ve already done a lot.”

  I hadn’t done that much, just secured some permits. The great thing about having attended law school in New York was that 90 percent of my fellow classmates were working in the city—some for public institutions.

  Knowing that Hunter had gone into real estate partly to keep the connection to his dad, to make him proud, endeared him to me. I was seeing a part of Hunter he hadn’t shown me before.

  “If I’m thinking about work in my free time, you’re doing something wrong, husband.” I wiggled my toes, indicating that I was ready for another round of foot rubs.

  Hunter pressed three fingers into my arch before skimming his hands up my calves. My skin broke out in goose bumps.

  “I’m going to miss this tomorrow evening,” I said.

  “Why?”

  “I have the girls’ night out, remember?”

  He grimaced. “Wouldn’t want to be in your skin.”

  I poked his waist. “Stop making fun of me. This is all your fault. You could have prevented this.”

  “If you really believe that, you have too much faith in me and not nearly enough in Tess and Skye.”

  The next evening, Tess and Skye stopped by the house. We were going to a bar two blocks away. Tess had clasped one of my wide belts around her waist. Skye was trying on some chandelier-style clip-on earrings that looked gorgeous on her. They reminded me of my sister. We’d routinely swapped clothes growing up. I sighed, more aware than ever of the dull ache in my chest. I missed her terribly. But being with Tess and Skye was like having two new sisters.

  Hunter was watching us from the doorway of t
he master bedroom.

  “What?” Tess inquired, giving him the side-eye. “I feel that I won’t like whatever you want to say.”

  “Just bring my wife home in one piece.”

  “Territorial, are you?”

  Hunter’s eyes flashed. Tess looked between us, and I blushed. Hunter’s clothes were everywhere around the room. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together. Sure, we could play up the immigration services angle, say that it was best if it appeared that we shared a bedroom because they could always question the cleaning personnel.

  “Okay, I say we’re done here,” Skye exclaimed, admiring her knee-length golden dress in the mirror.

  “I ordered an Uber, because no way can we walk two blocks in these heels. It’ll be here in two minutes,” Tess said. “Let’s go. Chop chop.”

  “You go ahead. I’ll be right out. Need to put on some earrings,” I said.

  Tess and Skye hurried out, past Hunter, who looked at me for a few seconds before taking mercy on me and striding over to help.

  “Here, let me do this.”

  He made quick work of it, but then lingered with his fingers on the shell of my ear before flipping me around and sealing his mouth over mine.

  Holy hell, what a kiss. His lips coaxed mine feverishly, until I was so worked up that my pulse was out of control. I was in danger of forgetting that I was supposed to head out. All I wanted to do was stay in with this sinfully sexy man and let him have his way with me.

  “Hunter...,” I murmured. “I have to go.”

  “I want to keep you here. I thought you were worried they’ll grill you.”

  “I am, but... I also have an agenda tonight. Skye has been a little morose the few times I talked to her over the phone these past few weeks. I want to get to the bottom of why.”

  “Skye’s in trouble?” He was immediately alert.

  “It’s just a hunch. Nothing business-related. Just... personal stuff. Anyway, I want to be there for her, just to comfort her... or bury a body if necessary.”

  “You’re amazing.”

  “I am?”

  He nibbled at my lip again, moving his hand upward over my spine.

  “I can show you... and I can be very thorough about it, but then you won’t make it to the bar at all.”

  “Then stop touching me, you devious man.”

  “I can’t. Maybe I’ll just keep you here. Lock the door, tie you up.”

  His eyes flashed. My entire body reacted to his words. Heat simmered on the surface of my skin. I pressed my thighs together.

  “You’re a bit territorial, husband.”

  “Fuck yes, I’m very territorial.”

  “So, I take it that you wouldn’t be too happy if I danced with a random sexy stranger tonight?”

  “You do that, and I’ll throw you over my shoulder and bring you home.” His gaze was so determined that I had no doubt he’d do exactly that. “Josie....”

  “Kidding. Just checking where you are on the territorial scale.”

  “And?”

  “From one to ten, you’re at twenty-five.”

  He pulled me to him, kissing me again, only letting me go when we heard the front door open.

  “Josie, our Uber is here,” Tess called.

  “I’ll be right out.”

  I walked past Hunter, sending him an air kiss, enjoying that feral glint in his eyes, giving an extra sway to my hips as I moved. I loved getting a rise out of him.

  The girls were in an excellent mood, already looking at the bar’s menu on their phone in the car.

  “If they have a good DJ and quality cocktails, that’s all I need,” Skye said.

  “Don’t forget great finger food. That’s also a must, or those cocktails will do a number on us,” I said.

  They exchanged conspiratorial glances, and I instantly knew I’d been right about tonight. They had two purposes. One: have fun. Two: make me spill the beans.

  As soon as we arrived at the bar, Skye ordered daiquiris and tacos. The place was relatively full, given that it was a weeknight. I loved the diffuse lighting and low-key music.

  “So, anything you want to tell us?” Tess asked.

  “What do you mean?” I tried to sound innocent.

  Skye whistled. “She’s gonna make us work for it.”

  Tess sat up straighter, winking at me. “I don’t mind. Secrets are more satisfying if I have to earn them.”

  I felt my ears burn hot, and I didn’t look Tess in the eyes, afraid she might see right through me. Unfortunately, that just seemed to tip her off.

  “You and Hunter looked cozy tonight,” Skye said.

  Oh, boy. Our daiquiris weren’t even here. How was I supposed to survive this?

  “We noticed both of your clothes all over the master bedroom,” Tess added. “And you both had stuff in the bathroom. Your conditioner and body lotions, his shaving stuff.”

  “Wow. You noticed all that in the two trips you took to the bathroom?” I asked, just to buy myself some time.

  “Don’t be silly. I noticed it on my first trip. The second was just so I could confirm they were actually used, not just put there so people could see them.”

  “Of course.”

  “Plus, your lips were a bit swollen when you got out of the house. So we’re guessing Hunter didn’t just give you a pep talk when you were alone.”

  That was it, I was a goner. I couldn’t lie to them anymore. I also didn’t want to. Being dishonest was so exhausting.

  I hadn’t told my family about the arrangement, and I hadn’t told Tess and Skye about the rest. I wanted to be one hundred percent honest with someone.

  “Wait a second, is she blushing?” Skye said.

  “Yes she is. Holy shit, we’re onto something. Aren’t we?” Tess shimmied in her seat, drumming her fingers on the table just as a waitress placed cocktails in front of us. I looked from Skye to Tess, then took a sip of my daiquiri and nodded.

  “You’re having sex. I knew it,” Tess exclaimed.

  I dropped my face in my hands, feeling like a schoolgirl sharing with my girlfriends that the boy I liked had kissed me. I felt my face become even hotter.

  “So... what exactly does that mean?” Tess asked.

  “We’re just... well, it was naive to assume we’d be able to pull this off and that things wouldn’t get complicated.”

  “Define complicated,” Tess demanded.

  “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m trying not to overthink and just... go with the flow. Plus the sex is awesome, and I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth.”

  Tess raised a glass. “Hear, hear. Great sex isn’t so easy to come by.”

  Skye clinked her glass to ours too, but her expression was softer. “Do you think things between you two might evolve into more? Just putting it out there, but we think you’re a perfect fit for him.”

  My stomach constricted, and I vehemently shook my head. “No, it’s just for now. I mean, I think it was naive to think we could just be roommates for three years, and... Hunter is drop-dead gorgeous, so that didn’t make things any easier. But the short answer is no.”

  I couldn’t get their hopes up. I couldn’t get my hopes up either. They nodded, and we proceeded to order a second round of cocktails.

  I veered the conversation toward Skye.

  “You seemed a bit down when we spoke on the phone.”

  “That obvious?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can I get a pass tonight?”

  “Nope. I did my part. Now, your turn.”

  Skye pouted. “But I don’t want to ruin the mood.”

  “It’s better than to keep it all in,” Tess said wisely. “I already know everything, but... all three of us could send him all the negative karma in the world. The more the merrier.”

  Skye swallowed, looking down at her glass. “This guy I was seeing from work... he already had a girlfriend. Can you believe that? And I found out when someone else at work told me. I’ve never been more embarrassed.
When I confronted him, he said that he’d never told me he was single. I mean... why would I assume that a guy who was hitting on me for months would be single, right?”

  “I’m sorry, Skye.”

  “I don’t understand. Why did he bother? And his girlfriend.... It almost makes me want to find her just so I can tell her to cut her losses, and not let that jerk dick her around. But what if she knows and doesn’t care? I mean... some people don’t mind open relationships. But I do. I just want a guy who wants... just me. Is that so much to ask for? Ugh... he made me feel so worthless.”

  Tess and I exchanged a glance. Yeah... talking about it definitely didn’t help Skye. I knew it helped some—I, for one, liked to talk about breakups to get them out of my system. But Skye had been in such a great mood when the evening had started, and now she looked small and hurt, and I hated it. Tess moved her chair closer to Skye, giving her a heartfelt hug. I loved these girls.

  Skye gave us a small smile, leaning into her sister. Tess said nothing, and neither did I. I’d been through enough ugly breakups myself to know that when you felt this raw, nothing anyone said could make you feel better.

  This was all my fault. Why had I insisted she talk? It was also my duty to make it better. I brainstormed potential topics that could lift her mood, before the obvious one popped up: me and Hunter.

  Skye had been exuberant talking about us, so it was worth a try, even though I knew it meant we’d spend the rest of the evening on the topic. What I wouldn’t do for these girls.

  Tess must have sensed what I was thinking about, because she focused on me next.

  “How do you do it?” Tess asked. “Living with Hunter, having sex with him, and keeping all these boundaries?”

  “Yes, do tell,” Skye said. She was smiling again, finally. Her eyes were sparkling with enthusiasm.

  I’d had three daiquiris, which were two too many for me to be able to play it cool.

  “It’s hard to keep the lines from blurring. Really hard,” I admitted. When I looked up from the glass, they were grinning.

  “What?” I demanded.

  Tess shrugged, flashing a devilish smile. “This isn’t going to help you keep those lines from blurring, but we saw how he is with you.”