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?

a coincidence. But then I realized that he's been watching

he looks away for

are, sitting in the VIP section of a horse

his fingers brushing against my wrist

It's subtle. Barely noticeable.

But I know better.

touch throws all the senses out the window, and I hold

from the corner of my eye. Trying to

me, you

tightens slightly, but his voice remains calm. "I'm not babysitting

back to

on my thigh. A casual touch. Light. But firm enough to keep

a good thing I wore a suit, too. Otherwise, his hand

slight shiver when we are so close to each

I swallow hard.

crisp navy suit, his

King. The man of the hour!" he greets with a firm handshake, his gaze briefly flicking to

with that smile that looks painted on. "My personal doctor." He says

heart splits into

borrowed her, would you? I seem to have some medical issues lately." He flashes him another one

He is testing him.

his

way this man looks at me unsettles me, and suddenly, I'm grateful he

sure you know better than that. Mr.

flames and

distant, we are close friends Alex.

stay

forties with too

in his glass. "You never used to mind

Arnold has managed to push a button. But his

confusing me with someone else,” Alex says smoothly. "I don't

lips curl at the edges, but the amusement doesn't reach his eyes. "Is that so?

blood running in

lips into a thin line. Like that sentence is

It's a reminder,

arrogant, I couldn't imagine it

is Alex we're talking about.

them. It's suffocating, thick with tension I

quite understand.

Alex doesn't blink.

Arnold doesn't blink.