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?

it was a coincidence. But then I realized

might disappear if he looks

we are, sitting in the VIP section of a horse race, pretending

fingers brushing against

It's subtle. Barely noticeable.

But I know better.

the window, and I hold my breath,

corner of my eye. Trying to sound as normal as

me, you know." I

his voice remains calm. "I'm

back to the race. "Could've fooled

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

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

if he feels even a slight shiver when we are so close to

I swallow hard.

a crisp navy suit, his salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed

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

with that smile that

splits into

to have some medical issues lately." He flashes him another one of sick

He is testing him.

his

but something about the way this man looks at

better than that. Mr. Brown." Alex

eyes are dancing with flames and daring him

we are close friends Alex. You can

eyes stay

forties with too much gel in his hair.

the whiskey in his glass. "You

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

me with someone else,” Alex says smoothly. "I don't share what's mine.

edges, but the amusement doesn't reach his eyes. "Is that

the blood running in

presses his lips into a thin line. Like that sentence

threat. It's a reminder, and

arrogant, I couldn't imagine it being

Alex we're talking about. He never

silence stretches between them. It's suffocating,

quite understand.

Alex doesn't blink.

Arnold doesn't blink.