Chapter 8

Hannah

Based on everything I know about Tobias, my new husband, I know that he values honesty and trustworthiness. But he isn’t a man that quickly opens up and likes a person.

No, that needs to be earned, and I can see why.

Tobias’s ex-wife cheated on him, and his trust issues must come from their failed marriage. And since I want to be better than his ex-wife, I don’t want to start our story by letting him down. Which is why I came in time to the brunch with dirty clothes.

It might have been a terrible decision…

Now I’m fighting the urge to run as Tobias looks at me with an amused expression. It doesn’t exactly calm down my nerves.

I can’t stop my stomach from churning and twisting with unease. Tobias hasn’t said a word, and I wish I could read his mind because I’m undecided between crying hysterically or laughing.

“How did you get so dirty?” Tobias asks.

“I don’t even know where to begin…” I mumble.

“How about from the beginning?”

“I suppose I could do that”

He simply smiles, and I talk. “As you know, your chauffeur took me to this incredibly fancy clothing store. It was grand, and once inside, a lady came to get me. She helped me pick this outfit.”

Tobias nods. “Cindi.”

“Yes, she knew I was coming because you had called her earlier. She was very friendly and professional.” “Mhm, I asked specifically for Cindi since she is the best. I wanted to ensure your outfit would be proper and elegant for brunch.”

I smile. After all, that was thoughtful of Tobias, but now I have to tell the part when everything went wrong.

“Right, well… I came out of that store wearing my new clothes, and everything was fantastic. I was so grateful and happy. You spoiled me not only with the clothes I’m wearing. You also told Cindi to pick. some extra clothes for me. I came out of that store with three bags. I was a little mindblown by your generosity.”

His expression turns pleased with the praise. “Go on.”

“Anyway, I left my old clothes and the bags in the car. And YES, I know I was supposed to come here directly, but I wanted coffee.”

I pause, hoping Tobias won’t be mad about that part. He probably is, though. Why wouldn’t he be? Cautiously, I look up to find him wearing the ghost of a smirk. If he is angry with me, it doesn’t show. But Jesus Christ, he really is tall. I feel puny, which makes me feel even more vulnerable sharing this story.

don’t know Tobias that well.

after buying

he looks tidy. His brown hair is fixed. He has shaven some of

under his gaze, but I can’t back down. I have to continue talking, even if I’m slightly terrified of what kind of scolding awaits me after I’m

out of there, happy with two coffee, but some stranger pushed me, and I fell into a puddle,” I glance down at my clothes. “And now I’m dirty, but I didn’t want to betray your trust by

breathes a laugh.

me?” I search his face. If Tobias is angry, I would rather have him yell at me outside of the

would I be mad?” Tobias

it up!” Tobias sighs upon noticing how upset I am and takes my hand in his larger one with a gentler

me when he says that. “I did hurt myself, though! I scraped my knee because… because I’m useless! I’m so

not useless,” Tobias

dirty. The girls sitting in the lobby

the worst

embarrassed, but Tobias’s hand goes to the back of my neck as he leads me

at him. “Everyone is

“Let them stare.”

girls over there are

in dirt,” he breathes an amused laugh, shaking his

“Is that your nickname for

down at me.

pout at the floor, unhappy. “I hate that I can’t even defend myself

I catch him stifling another laugh. I’m glad that

are going. Tobias presses a button on the panel that reveals a little hatch. Inside it, there is

eyebrow. “Where the flipping heck are

my private office. Only

“Oh…”

a pool table, and

and before I can ask questions, he grabs me by the sides and lifts me onto

don’t have time to let you shower,” he opens a drawer and takes out a package of rose-smelling tissues, or the

do as he

cardigan off the floor, and Tobias steps into my vision. My legs dangle from the desk, and he carefully dabs my cheek. There is nothing sexual going on, yet I feel butterflies swoop down into my belly as he gently swipes my

see the details of his face: I think his nose has been broken at some point. It’s not perfect when you look closely at

His cheekbones are defined, and his eyes are a shade of emerald green that is

his eyes meet mine. Amusement crosses his features.

I attempt a smile. “Thank

he looks down

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