Her Reluctant Husband by Erica Marselas (summer beach reads txt) 📗

tray of lasagna to scoop out a huge piece and plates it for me. “I heard you were the senior creative designer at that firm you’ve been working at for years.”

“I am,” I say as I dig into the goodness in front of me. I moan as the cheesy noodles hit my tongue. Fuck, I’ve missed home cooking like this. “This is good, Maggie,” I tell her before I shove another bite into my mouth.

“I’m glad you like it. Do you want some, June?”

“No, I’m good.” June turns up her nose as she looks at the dish and props herself on the stool. Is she really snubbing Maggie’s food? “Maybe I’ll have some later.”

Maggie sighs heavily and concern flashes through her eyes. Which just adds to my confusion. “Well, there’s plenty here when you are ready to get into it.”

“If she doesn’t I will. I have a feeling I’m going to have to pick up my workouts being home now.”

“Well, I’m going to head home. If you two need anything you can call me. I’m just around the corner.” Maggie says wraps June in a tight hug. “Maybe we can go shopping tomorrow?” June nods. “And promise me you’ll take care of that hand.”

"I promise," June whispers as she steps back.

“And you,” Maggie points her finger at me, “behave.”

“I'll try.” I smirk.

Maggie kisses my cheek and heads out. I hate that I’m jealous she gets to leave. Especially, with June standing in front of me anxiously looking at me.

“What?”

“I was thinking we need to figure out who is going to do what around the house. Like I can keep taking care of the horses and the chickens, but I’m sure I could use your help once in awhile.”

“Sure. Whatever.” I had already planned on hiring someone before, but if she wants to do it, so be it.

“We can split the cost on the feed and groceries.”

“Can you even afford groceries?”

“Of course, I can, along with any other bills.”

“What do you even do for a living?”

“I do something that makes me happy; it's not like you really care.” Why is she deflecting? “but it makes money to pay the bills and pay for food,” she snips.

“Well, you might be able to pay the bills with the job that makes you happy, but don’t think I’m going to be fronting some fancy lifestyle for you either, like buying you shoes and taking you to fancy dinners.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t need your money.” She rolls her eyes and grips the edge of the counter with her sore hand then hisses and grabs her hand in pain. “And I don’t want you taking me to fancy dinners or anywhere for that matter.”

“Okay, glad that’s settled then. So, where have you been living? Any chance you can spend some of your nights there? I might want to have a lady guest over. I mean unless you don’t mind the noise.”

Her nose flares and I’m pleased to get under her skin again. It’s just too easy.

“It just so happens, Alex,” she snaps bitterly, “I’ve been living here. So, no, I will not be spending my nights anywhere else but at my home.”

“You've been living here?” I choke out. “For how long?”

“Six months.”

"Six?” I slam my hand on the counter and it makes my plate rattle. “Jesus. And have you been staying in Kathleen’s room?” She nods and my anger burns brighter. “Why didn't she tell me?" I had the right to know this.

"She said if you visited, you would find out, but she didn't want any grief while trying to keep us both happy."

“She should have told me.”

“So, you could force me to leave again?” she scoffs. “Heaven forbid Aunt Liz had a heart and didn't let herself be manipulated by others.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Because the only one manipulating people around here is you. You have everyone here just eating out of the palm of your hand, forgetting about what you did that night.” My breathing grows heavy as I reach my boiling point. I hate that she can just walk back into this town and everyone can just go on and forget how she cost me my sister.

“That’s not manipulation, Alex. It’s called listening, talking, and also finding forgiveness. And we’re getting off track.” She stands from her stool and pushes her uninjured hand through her hair. “Can we at least talk about how me and you are going to try and survive this year together? Like, try to make some ground rules?”

“Rules? Are you serious?”

“I am. I think it’s the only way it’s going to work without one of us maiming the other.”

“What the fuck do you have in mind?”

“To make this work, I don’t think we can date or have relations with other people.”

She’s out of her damn mind! “Excuse me? I don't see why the hell not?”

“Because it's respectful, Alex."

I huff. “What do you know about respect?”

“More than you’ll ever believe, but if you can't honor me that, then forget this whole thing." She throws the rag down and stomps out of the room.

Oh, this isn’t over.

Knocking my stool back, I charge after her. I grab her elbow and spin her back to me. Her face is red as her newly dyed hair, looking ready to blow. “Get off of me, you asshole.” She smacks me with her free hand.

"I want to know why. This isn’t real. Neither of us wants this. So, what if I need Whitney to blow me to relieve some pressure. We both have needs. And we’re not going to fulfill those with each other."

Been there done that.

“Excuse me?" she sneers, and I quickly realize I said the last part out loud.

“Nothing.”

“You’re really something special, you