Chapter 174

Ella

I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed spending one–on–one time with Liam until we were sitting across from each other at a divey sports bar downtown, sharing a plate of chips and dip while a group of rather rowdy men in soccer jerseys cheered around a television at the bar.

“You look incredible,” he said, gesturing at me with a tortilla chip topped with chunky salsa. He popped the chip into his mouth and spoke around it. “Seriously, Ella. There’s something different about you.”

I touched my face self–consciously. “It’s just the pregnancy glow everyone talks about. Dr. Evelyn says it’s perfectly normal.”

“No, it’s more than that.” Liam leaned back in his chair, studying me with those perceptive eyes of his.” You’re… I don’t know how to explain it. You seem genuinely happy. Like, actually happy, not just putting on a show for the cameras.”

The observation caught me off guard. Was I that transparent? I picked at the appetizer, trying to think of how to respond.

“Things have been good lately,” I admitted after a few moments. “The morning sickness is awful, but everything else… Alexander and I have found a rhythm that works.”

“A rhythm.” Liam raised an eyebrow. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

looks at you, the

up immediately. “We’re just getting along better these days. For the

“Right. For the baby.”

my virgin daiquiri, trying to cool the flush that was spreading down my neck. The truth was, I had been happy lately. Happier than I’d been in…


like I might jinx whatever fragile thing Alexander and I

between us.

something the other day,” I found myself

“Oh?”

what I would do if there was no contract between us.” The words tumbled out of my mouth in a rush. “What I would choose if there was no arrangement, no agreement about the election or anything

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Chapter 174

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very carefully. “And what did you tell

chance to answer. Gabriel interrupted before I could say anything.” I fidgeted with my napkin. “But sometimes I wonder if… if maybe he’s thinking about ending the contract. About us just being

how would you

I finally admitted. “I mean, I want to hope, but I don’t want to give myself false hope, you know? What if I’m reading too much into

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