Marriage For One

“Samantha Dennis,” she said. “The fourth partner in the firm.”

Surprising me, Rose didn’t even hesitate before responding. “Rose Hawthorne. I would be the wife, as you already know.”

“Yes, I do know. I actually didn’t believe it when I first heard he had tied the knot, but here you are.”

Rose’s smile turned up a notch, matching Samantha’s. “Here I am.”

Dismissing Rose, Samantha pulled her chair out and looked at Fred, giving him a more genuine smile. “Fred, Evelyn isn’t joining us tonight?”

“The kid caught some stomach virus from one of his friends, so she stayed home with him.”

I was still annoyed with Samantha’s kiss so I didn’t even think what I was doing. “Samantha has been dating the district attorney for the last year and a half,” I blurted out to Rose quietly then frowned at the table and picked up my water glass. This wasn’t a real marriage, I didn’t have to tell her about my old relationships. If sleeping with someone a few times four years ago would count as a relationship that is.

What the hell is wrong with you?

“That’s good. I guess. Good for her?” Rose whispered in confusion.

I put my arm around Rose’s chair. She stiffened even further, so I leaned down to speak into her ear. “This is not acting natural.” She was reaching for her glass, and as soon as the first word was out of my mouth, she almost knocked it down. Maybe I was too much in her face.

“Oh, sh…oot,” she exclaimed quietly. A little color touched her cheeks and she apologized to Fred, who had reached forward to catch her glass.

“Wes is pulling up—he was stuck in traffic,” George explained as he returned and took his seat again. “Samantha, glad you decided to join us.”

“Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

As the three of them started to talk among themselves, Rose scooted back in her chair, met my eyes for a quick second, and leaned sideways toward me. I leaned down until her mouth was closer to my ear to make it easier for her and so no one else could hear what we were saying.

“I am acting natural,” she whispered.

“You haven’t looked at me once since we sat down. At least try to act as if you don’t mind my company.”

Her head was bowed as I was whispering into her ear, but as soon as I finished speaking, she pulled back a little and looked up into my eyes with surprise.

“Got caught up in New York traffic. There was a small accident a few blocks away—a guy rammed into a cab. Please forgive me,” Wes Doyle said as he rounded the table. “Good evening everyone.”

Rose and I had to pull away from each other to start another round of handshaking, and as soon as the introductions were done, everyone finally settled down.

The waiter showed up again, and the next few minutes passed with everyone ordering their drinks.

“No menu?” Rose asked discreetly when everyone was distracted.

“This restaurant is known for the prix fixe menus. The chef changes it every few nights. He is supposed to be very good. It’s seafood night, I believe.”

She nodded and pulled away from me. Before I could catch her attention and ask what was wrong this time, the first course arrived: seared scallops with an almond vinaigrette served on a half shell.

Because Wes Doyle was someone who would be considered a big fish, everyone around the table started with their promises and assurances that he’d be on the list of people who were number one priority to the firm, but I was occupied with something else. I was watching Rose’s movements as she placed her napkin in her lap and stared at the scallops on her plate. Taking up her knife and fork, she cautiously cut a small piece and slowly brought it up to her lips. Oddly fascinated, I watched her chew it longer than was necessary and then force herself to swallow it down. Softly coughing, she reached for her glass and took a sip of water. For anyone looking at her, she’d look elegant as she enjoyed her dinner, but to me, she looked like she was being forced to eat garbage.

“Jack?” George called, and I had to shift my attention as they all stared at me—everyone except Rose. “Don’t you want to add something?”

It took me a second to shift gears. “I think Wes knows my opinions on this subject.” I glanced at Wes and he gave me a small nod. He had built an incredibly successful tech company from nothing in the last few years and had recently decided to change his law firm when his previous lawyers lost him a case that was being splashed all over the media and tarnishing his company’s reputation. It should’ve been an easy win, but they had made massive mistakes along the way, mistakes I had pointed out to him. “I can assure you, just as I did yesterday, if you decide to go with any other firm, you’ll be making a big mistake. I think after what happened with the last one, you’re done taking chances with the company you worked so hard to get to where it is today.”