Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 38 ~ Vanilla scent

ATHENA

"I really don't want to be here." I protest.

Alex doesn't even glance at me as he adjusts his cufflinks, his green eyes scanning the racetrack. "It's just for two hours. We'll go home soon. I couldn't reschedule this."

I cross my arms, shifting uncomfortably in the wooden seat. The air is thick with the scent of freshly cut grass, leather, and expensive cologne. The cheers of the crowd rise and fall as another race begins, hooves pounding against the dirt track like a drumbeat.

I couldn't care less.

The only thing I want is to go home.

Alex, however, sits perfectly composed beside me, looking every bit the powerful billionaire he is. I must say I did wonder how an orphan girl like me landed auch a man, but I've been too scared to ask.

We have a dinner coming up where I'm supposed to meet his grandmother, and I'm a nerve wreck.

It's been a week since that incident, and even though I've been wanting to get some sun, this wasn't how I envisioned it.

"You could've left me at home," I mutter, my fingers tightening around the glass of water in my lap.

Alex finally looks at me, his expression unreadable. "No."

One word. No explanation.

Another thing I've come to learn about Alex is that he's extremely hot but also very annoying.

I exhale sharply, turning my gaze to the track. Another race is starting, the announcer's voice booming through the speakers.

A group of thoroughbreds burst out of the gates, their jockeys leaning forward, urging them faster.

The crowd roars.

I don't react.

Because the only thing I can focus on is Alex.

Or rather, how he's been acting these past few days.

He hasn't left the house.

He's been working from home, his laptop always within reach, but his eyes constantly flicking toward me like he's expecting me to collapse at any moment.

Every ten minutes, without fail, he finds a reason to check on me.

Do you need anything?

Are you hungry?

Are you tired?

Are you cold?

But then I realized

if he

in the VIP section

his fingers brushing against

It's subtle. Barely noticeable.

But I know better.

the senses out the window, and I hold my breath, every

him from the corner of my eye. Trying

babysit me, you know."

slightly, but his voice

huff, turning back to the

on my thigh. A casual touch.

suit, too. Otherwise, his hand on my bare skin would throw me

feels even a slight shiver when we are so close to

I swallow hard.

man approaches, dressed in a crisp navy

he greets with a firm handshake, his gaze

with that smile that

splits

seem to have some medical issues

He is testing him.

his

this man looks at

than

eyes are dancing with flames and daring him

we are close friends Alex.

stay on Alex, hard with challenge, waiting to

he's in his late forties with too much gel in his

whiskey in

my thigh. It's the only sign that Arnold has managed to push a button. But his

be confusing me with someone else,” Alex says

but the amusement doesn't reach his

blood running in my

presses his lips into a thin line. Like that sentence

It's a reminder, and

it being more

talking about. He never gives out empty

It's suffocating, thick

quite understand.

Alex doesn't blink.

Arnold doesn't blink.