Rhys pulled into traffic and took his mind back to the earlier interview, and how Arryn took command. It was a side he'd not seen before, and he liked it. Everything she said seemed sincere like she believed all that stuff about his ability. He admitted she'd gone beyond his expectation of endorsement. Made him out to be a better husband than he was. Husband. Until today, the word sounded foreign to him, because he'd not thought of himself that way. But now, he did. He was Arryn's husband, and lies be damned, he wanted to be.

He watched her stare out the window. The late afternoon sun highlighted wisps of curly hair that had hung over her forehead from her high ponytail. He liked to watch her pull it up. Gather it with both hands, hold it with one, while she raked through the stands with the other to smooth it. The way she twisted and turned her head with the procedure did things to him. Crazy things.

God, he wanted her back in his bed. In his arms. But she didn't feel the same way, because earlier when he moved to touch her, she pulled away. Tonight, he'd have an excuse to hold her. There'd be dancing at the party.

As he made the final turn down the road to his cabin, he looked over at her. "I haven't mentioned what a great job you did decorating the house." She didn't face him, just continued to gaze outside. He wondered what was on her mind. She'd hardly talked all the way home.

"Thanks. I decided I may never have a house this beautiful again, so I splurged. Besides, our daughter will spend time here during the holidays, so I want it to be special for her. Until you remarry, I'll be happy to help with it each season."

Rhys' chest tightened. "We don't need to worry about that right now. I mean, there's no deadline for a divorce."

Now she turned to face him. "I understand. It's still ten weeks before the baby comes, but by next Christmas, you'll be a year into working for Rolland, and your track record will speak for itself. You won't need a wife anymore."

He wanted to argue the point, but it seemed she had it all planned out, so what was the use? He stopped in the drive and killed the engine. Next Christmas. He'd have a baby girl, with Arryn's dark hair and maybe his eyes. That made him smile. Now all he had to do was figure out a way to convince her mother to stay, too.

Once inside the cabin, he went to his room and Arryn to hers. He hated that. More today than yesterday. He wondered if this was how it would be from now on—living as strangers when they were alone, but as the perfect couple in public. Well, he had to take the blame for that. He'd made her play by his rules, and she'd agreed. The baby didn't come until February. Arryn had no job. No house. She couldn't leave. She had nowhere else to go. As mean as that was, it made him happy. Maybe he still had time.

While she finished getting ready, he waited on the back deck, breathing in the frosty air. He loved the country. No traffic sounds. No hustle and bustle. Life slowed, and he needed it to survive, but it occurred to him, she might get lonely.

Arryn swung the door open and stood in the space. She wore a basic black dress and a dainty little necklace with two tiny charms. He had to squint to make out the shape of the two elephants, one with her birthstone, and a smaller one with amethyst for February. The baby's. His heart swelled at the sight of it and her. Almost seven months pregnant and even more beautiful than when he'd first laid eyes on her.

"You ready to go?" She bent to scratch Guinivere behind her ears, and she sighed with satisfaction, then rolled to her back for Arryn to give the same treatment to her belly. She smiled. "You know, it'd be nice if you could return the favor, lazybones." Guin paid no attention, just kept all fours in the air. She pushed off the chair arm to straighten.

She smoothed her dress over her stomach. "That's getting harder to do."

"You look nice." He'd started to say beautiful, but changed his mind at the last second. He needed to take it slow, or else his effort might come across as shallow. He didn't want her to think the compliment was gratitude for earlier.

She eyed him but didn't linger. "Thanks, so do you."

On the way to the party, Rhys asked questions hoping to get her engaged in conversation. With him working late and staying in town a few nights a week, they didn't have time to talk much. "So, what did you do today while you waited for me?"

"Nothing much. I ate across the street at Boxcar Café. They have a good grilled cheese where they mix in bacon bits with three different kinds of cheese. So delicious. Have you ever had it?"

"No, but I will next time I go."

"Then I went to visit Arsenic and Old Lace. Since Yennefer lives in the back of the shop, I took a nap there. The music and incense put me right to sleep."

"I'm glad. I felt a little guilty about you missing your rest because of me."

"That's funny because I feel guilty for napping every day. I've never done that before."

"When the baby gets here, your nap days will be over, so get it while you can."

Rhys pulled into the lot, and they got out and made their way to the banquet room. Melissa greeted them at the door. "Okay, let's get you two fixed up with name tags." She looked through a small file box and retrieved their badges and handed them over. "Y'all have fun and Rhys, don't forget to save me a dance. We need to keep the rumor going you have a thing for your secretary." She winked at Arryn.

Rhys took his wife's hand and led her to a table. "You want some punch or a soda?"

"Not now, but thanks."

"I'll be right back."

When he returned to the table, Darcy sat next to Arryn. "Hey, Rhys. I hear your wife cemented your job in place today."

He looked at Arryn and smiled, then back at Darcy. He'd been pissed at her since discovering she'd known all along about the baby, but it was time to let that go. "Yeah, she saved my ass."

"Oh, talk is all over the office. From what I hear, she should expect requests from other employees to help with their interviews."

Rhys slipped his arm around her. "Well, they can't have her." When he said it, Arryn snapped her head toward him, eyes wide. He didn't give her time to say anything. "You want to dance?"

She grimaced and looked out at the couples swaying on the dance floor. "Oh, I don't know. I'll look like a cow out there."

"Don't be silly. Come on. Darcy, excuse us." He took Arryn's hand and tugged her up out of the chair, then put his palm to the small of her back and guided her to the dance floor. He pulled her as close as he could and swayed to the music. Damn, she felt perfect in his arms and smelled good enough to eat.

As the song ended, someone tapped on Rhys' shoulder. He turned to see Devon.

"May I have the next dance?"

Rhys gritted his teeth. He looked at Arryn and raised his brows.

She looked between the two men. "Sure."

Rhys walked back to his table, then glared at the couple. They were laughing and talking, and a pang of jealousy ripped through him. He wanted to snatch her out of his arms and tell him to keep his damn hands off her. Why couldn't she be that happy when Rhys held her? Envy tore at his heart. He knew the answer. Despite everything, she still wanted Devon.

Alexa, play True by Spandeau Ballet.

Short chapter, I know. Hopefully next chapter will make up for that.

You think Rhys is finally giving up on his anger or nah?

TEASER: "Yeah, well, we don't always get what we want, do we?"

I wonder what that's about