He Brought Me a College Guy, Saying I’d Never Touch Him—But I Kept Him Chapter 03

He Brought Me a College Guy, Saying I’d Never Touch Him—But I Kept Him Chapter 03

My phone buzzed.

A message from Nathaniel: [Get some sleep.]

I stared at the three words and almost laughed.

He never used to send me things like this.

But today he did.

Because I kept Julian around?

Because he finally realized that Isabella Reed, the woman who wouldn’t touch anyone, might actually touch someone?

I didn’t reply.

Outside, the lights went out.

The whole house went quiet.

Cassidy moved in. Julian moved in.

This house finally looked like what it was. A dump.

Filled with all kinds of trash.

Myself included.

I turned off the light, smiling a smile I couldn’t quite explain.

He still thought I was the same Isabella.

Thought I wouldn’t dare.

Thought I couldn’t.

Thought I’d always keep my walls up.

He was wrong.

…

The next morning, my lower back was still sore.

When I came downstairs, Julian was in the kitchen helping the housekeeper.

The second he saw me, he almost dropped the spatula.

I smiled.

This man, where was that nerve from last night?

I’d just sat down at the table when Nathaniel came down.

“You’re up early.” He sat across from me, that unreadable smile on his face. “How was last night?”

Before I could answer, the front door burst open.

Derek Whitmore charged in first. “Nate, Nate, who won?”

“I bet on her kicking him out before noon. Twenty grand.”

“I bet she was done with him last night. Odds were three to one, and you were the house, Nate.”

The chatter died instantly.

They saw me. Their excitement turned to awkwardness.

“Hey… Isabella. Morning.”

Nathaniel picked up his coffee and took a sip. His expression was relaxed.

Like his friends weren’t gambling on his marriage. Like it was something to be proud of.

“Sit down,” I said. “Breakfast’s ready.”

Then I stood and walked toward the kitchen. “You should get to class.”

Julian froze for a second, untied his apron, and left.

The front door clicked shut.

The living room was quiet for two beats.

Derek lowered his voice. “See? She got rid of him.”

Gary Dawson laughed. “What did you expect? Nate knows exactly how she thinks.”

“Gotta hand it to Nate,” Derek said, admiration in his voice. “This is the kind of wife you want. One who knows how to guard the house and keep her legs closed.”

Nathaniel sat at the table, his eggs already finished.

Listening to all of this, the corner of his mouth curled up. He looked pleased.

I let out a breath and walked back into the dining room.

Nathaniel and I spoke at the exact same time.

“Come with me to the family estate tonight.”

“Two o’clock at the courthouse.”