If someone had told me a few months ago that I’d be sitting beside Catherine Ashton, cake fork in hand, debating frosting flavors like I actually cared, I would’ve laughed. Now? Now it felt strangely important.
“I like the chocolate one and the red velvet,” I said, gesturing to the two half-eaten slices on our tasting board. She was scanning the entire table like she’d been handed national secrets and had to pick which one to protect.
“How about you?” I asked.
“Chocolate and vanilla.” We turned to Melinda, the coordinator, hovering beside us with a clipboard and a smile so wide it had to hurt.
“You can mix the two if you want,” she offered.
Catherine looked at me. “Really? What do you think?”
“I’m good with that,” I said. “Just don’t make it too sweet.”
Melinda scribbled something down. “Noted. Anything else, Ms. Ashton?”
“No. How about you, babe?” she asked, and the word still made something shift in my chest every time she said it—even in public.
“I’m good with whatever my fiancée wants,” I said, giving her a smile. And I meant it.
We headed out and got into the car. I’d made a reservation at a waterfront restaurant, just something lowkey. After all the tension of wedding prep, I wanted to give her a night that felt like… us.
“So, what else is left for the wedding?” I asked as I pulled onto the main road.
“Invitations. I’m reviewing the designs tomorrow,” she said. “Wanna come?”
I shook my head apologetically. “I can’t. I have a meeting.” She didn’t say anything.
“It’s okay,” she replied after a pause, but it wasn’t. I could hear it in her tone—she’d wanted me there. She just wouldn’t ask twice. I turned on the music, giving her a moment, but from the way she stared out the window, I knew her mind was somewhere else.
I glanced at her. “Catherine?”
“Hm?”
“You okay?”
She blinked. “Oh. Sorry, I was spacing out.”
I chuckled. “I didn’t say anything. I just called your name.”
She smacked my arm. “You scared me.”
“Our marriage is going to be so much fun,” I teased.
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Because you get to tease me nonstop?”
“That—and you’re the only person who really understands me.”
She looked at me skeptically. “Because I used to be your secretary?”
“Exactly.”
“And you’re the only person who doesn’t understand me.”
“Because I was your boss,” I added, smirking.
“Such a bad boss,” she muttered.
“I was professional, thank you.”
“You were mean,” she corrected.
“Hey, before I had you as my secretary, girls threw themselves at me. It was annoying. I thought you were one of them—turned out, you were... normal.”
“Excuse me?” she deadpanned.
“You’re normal, honey,” I grinned.
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet you’re still here.” We arrived at the waterfront just before sunset. I saw the glow light up her eyes as she stepped out of the car, her hair catching the wind.
“You like it?” I asked.
She nodded slowly.
“Yeah… I love it.”
We walked hand-in-hand to the restaurant, chose a table outside. She asked me to order, so I did. Nothing fancy. Just comfort food, good wine, and the sea breeze. She got up and wandered toward the edge of the water, and I watched her, still in awe of how someone could carry so much grace and chaos in one body.
And then I saw him. Just a guy. Mid-thirties. Too confident. I stood up immediately.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I heard him say as I approached. She answered politely, not even noticing the guy’s tone. He extended his hand.
“I’m Jeff.”
I stepped between them.
“And I’m Jacob. Her fiancé.” I shook his hand. Firmly, letting him know where he stands. He left with awkward grace, and Catherine turned to me with a sigh.
“He was just being nice. You didn’t have to go alpha on him.”
“He was hitting on you.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Oh, I know. I can smell it.”
She smirked. “You jealous?”
I pointed to her hand. “That ring says you’re mine.”
“Oh, possessive now?”
“Do I need to buy a bigger ring?” I asked, stepping closer.
She laughed. “You’re jealous.”
“Maybe,” I admitted.
She kissed my cheek and whispered, “Good. Keeps you on your toes.” We walked back to the table, fingers laced. And for the first time in a long time, I forgot this was supposed to be pretend. I really need to keep myself check or else.