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

be my date this Saturday? I want to finally show you off to everyone.”

The line goes quiet. I don’t even hear the sound of her breathing. Did she hang up?

“June? Hello?”

“Whatever you just said, I think you stunned her,” Maggie’s voice rings through the line from a distance and she chuckles.

Knowing she’s listening, I repeat quietly into the phone, “June, will you go on a date with me this Saturday?”

There’s a moment more of silence before June’s voice comes through the line. “Yes, I’ll go, Alex. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

12ALEX

I still haven’t been able to pry out of June what really brought her into my office Monday. She claims she just missed me after the night we had and felt odd admitting it in front of a room full of people.

Especially Whitney.

I know she’s lying because, though she appears happy, she’s acting sketchy and going back to not eating. I’ve tried my special tactic with her, but she won’t play. And I’ve decided trying to force her isn’t going to work either.

No matter how much I beg, she deflects and tells me she’s fine.

It’s like she’s drifting away again—like all those years ago.

The only thing that makes me feel like she’s not completely floating away from me is she stays in my bed every night, curls herself tight against me, and clings to me. I hold her, hoping she’ll talk, but instead, she just asks if I can help her sleep. So, I make love to her, kissing her, taking every second with her, trying to show her I care, while I help chase away whatever is haunting her.

At least it seems her nightmares have stayed away this week.

Or she’s hiding them better.

Whatever it is, today I’m going to try and make this day special for both of us. It might be technically my day, but I'm hoping to keep the girl in the yellow sundress, with the death grip on my hand, smiling.

"Your company really goes all out for a picnic," she mumbles.

Mr. Hayes has rented out the golf club. He does it every year because he's an elite member and we do all their advertising. They’ve set up a dance floor, dozens of large tables around it, and a huge self-serve buffet. It feels more like a wedding than a picnic, but there’s a golf course and the pool is open for the families.

"How many people are here?" she asks as her eyes dart around the sea of people and behind her.

"I don't know. About a hundred. Don't worry about it and stay with me."

"You do realize this is our first public outing as a couple.” She wraps her arm around mine bringing herself closer to me. As she glances up at me, I see the hesitation in her eyes.

“I know and I’m looking forward to telling everyone about this gift that I had thrust upon me,” I tease, throwing her words back at her, and it earns me a whack to the chest. “By the way, I forgot to tell you that you look amazing.” I kiss her cheek.

“Thank you.” She flattens out her dress. “I’m still really nervous.”

“Don’t be. Everyone will love you.” Like I do. “Come, let’s go make our introductions. I’m going to need you to help impress my boss.”

“I highly doubt you need me to do that.” She grins.

“I don’t know, I think it’s possible he likes you better than me. Watch.”

I lead her down the short hill and find Mr. Hayes gathered around with a few of my colleagues and his wife. Mr. Hayes sees me and steps away from his audience to greet us.

“Alexander, I’m glad you made it.” Mr. Hayes pats my shoulder. “June.” He takes June’s hand and places a kiss to her knuckles. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You too, sir.”

“You can call me, Tony, June. No reason to be so formal around here.”

“Am I allowed to call you Tony, sir?” I ask, my interest piqued. He’s never once given me the choice, but I’ve never put much thought into it either.

“No, I'm your boss," he says sternly, and then takes a long sip of his champagne. Once he puts it down, he smiles at me, and I know he’s not all too serious, before giving me his pat on the shoulder. “June, you should be proud of your husband here.”

“I am.” She looks up at me, admiration shining in her eyes.

“Now, Alex hasn’t mentioned what you do?”

“I own and also teach dance at Kat’s dance studio in Kinder Falls.”

He rubs his chin. “I feel like I’ve heard of that place somewhere before. Maybe one of my employees or clients have a kid there.”

“Oh, that would be a small world.” June smiles and her eyes flick around the club, I’m sure looking for a familiar face.

“Well, I won’t keep you two. Alex, I’m going to be announcing your promotion a little later after a farewell speech to August. So, go mingle, eat, dance. Golf.”

“I would love to golf, but I forgot my clubs.” I shrug. I hate golf.

Mr. Hayes chuckles. “Another time then.” He gives me a wink before rejoining his wife.

“I told you, you would impress him,” I tell her as I pull her away to an open area. “Allowing you to call him Tony. I’ve known the man for almost eight years and I’ve never had the pleasure.”

“As he said, he’s your boss. Do you let anyone underneath you call you Alex?”

“When you’re underneath me, I definitely do.” I smirk and nuzzle my nose in her neck. She pushes my head away with a laugh. “But yeah, sometimes.”

“Wilks!” Greg from my social media marketing team hollers as he comes over. “I heard the news. Congrats.”

“Thanks.