Page 98 of Irresistibly Wicked

“I think your idea of fun is a little different from mine.” Reba laughed softly and motioned to the partially painted wall. “That color would’ve looked great with the tiles and the cabinets, but you’re right. It clashes with the rafters. What color did you decide to go with?”

“A light taupe. It’s really pretty—look.” Shauna grabbed her phone and showed Reba the color they’d chosen.

“That’s going to be perfect.” As Reba put the shepherd’s pie in the fridge, she said, “I’m glad Zander’s out. I’ve been hoping to get a minute alone with you, but whenever the family is together, the girls and Zander don’t give you a minute alone.”

Shauna got a little nervous. “I’m sorry. I wish you’d said something. I would’ve made time to talk.”

“Oh, no, honey. I’m glad you have them, and I didn’t want to push myself on you. I figured we’d catch up at some point.”

“What did you want to talk about?”

“I just wanted to check in with you to see how you’re holding up. It’s been about six weeks since Brian went into rehab, and your life has changed a lot since then. It has to be hard being away from him and suddenly being married and thrown into a big family like ours.”

Shauna was touched by her concern. “My life has definitely taken some unexpected turns. It is hard being away from Brian this long. In fact, Zander and I were talking about that the other night when I was really missing Brian.”

“Have you visited him?”

“No. When he went into rehab, he asked me not to.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry. That had to hurt.”

“It did. It’s hard not knowing how he’s doing, but you go through so many emotions in recovery. I don’t want to make it harder for him by pushing to see him. Talking with Zander helps, and Brian and I have been joined at the hip forever. This time apart has been good for me, even if it’s hard sometimes. I didn’t realize how much I needed the breathing space. I’m learning a lot about who I am and the things I enjoy doing, and even about friendships. Mads and the girls have been amazing.”

“I’m glad to hear that, and it’s nice to hear Zander is helping you through the hard times. How are things between you two?” Reba asked carefully. “Every time I see you together, you seem to get along well, but looks can be deceiving, and I know how it is to be around family. You want everyone to see the good.”

If there was a problem area, that was it. She and Zander had fallen into a rhythm that felt too good. They talked, joked, argued, and fooled around like a real couple. They’d spent the last few weeks hanging out with his friends and family, working out together, renovating, and going on motorcycle rides with some of the guys and their significant others. Working out together was fun but complicated. Some of the girls in her pole class worked out when they did, and whenever Zander thought a guy was checking her out, he’d give her a kiss or smack her ass. She didn’t hate that, but she gave him hell for it, because once their agreement was over, she’d have to explain the divorce to the girls from her class. She and Zander hadn’t talked about how they were going to end their relationship or what they’d tell people, and she wasn’t looking forward to explaining it to anyone, especially the guys at work. They’d bonded with Zander, too. He showed up once a week with dinner, and he’d hang out until they got a call.

“I don’t feel pressure to get along in front of your family. We just do.”

“Well, that is good to hear,” Reba said. “Zander has never shared a house with anyone but family. I hope he isn’t leaving his dirty laundry around or driving you crazy in other ways.”

“He’s not sloppy, and he does drive me crazy sometimes, but I’m sure I drive him crazy, too. He’s a big planner, and I’m not.”

“You sure we’re talking about the same guy? Zander has been winging his way through life since he was a little boy.”

“Everyone says that, including him, but I don’t see it,” Shauna said. “I mean, Zan is spontaneous, but when all that stuff went down with Brian, I would’ve been lost if not for him. When he found out Brian had grabbed me, he formed a plan on the spot to keep me safe, and when Brian showed up here in the middle of the night, Zander came up with another plan in an instant that involved his brothers and cousins helping us.”

“Really?” Reba looked shocked.

“Yes, and it didn’t stop there. When we decided to get married so I could get my inheritance and Brian could go to rehab, Zander found out what we needed to get married at the courthouse, and all the things we’d need to do to get him into rehab. Then he came up with another plan to take me shopping and get wedding rings and the outfit I wore.”

“Zander did all of that?” she asked incredulously.

“Yes. He’s always planning. Look at our honeymoon. We didn’t even need to go on one. He did it so people would believe our relationship was real. I never would have thought of that, and he went to the trouble of planning every minute of our trip and making it romantic since it’s the only honeymoon I’ll probably ever have. I mean, to ship his bike to Niagara because no self-respecting biker would ever put their wife on the back of someone else’s bike? That’s not something he could do at the last minute. And look at today. I really wanted to help him paint, but I’m meeting the girls for the book club meeting later, so he set an alarm to get up early to make sure we’d have time to paint before I have to leave.”

Reba was looking at her with a mixture of disbelief and shock.

Shauna realized she’d spoken so fast, it probably came across as a rant. “I’m sorry. I get a little protective of Zander. The guys make jokes all the time about how he’s the troublemaker of the group, but he’s not that way with me. He’s more of a…I don’t know. A leader? A protector? Not that I need leading or protecting. Those aren’t the right words. He’s not controlling or aggressive.”

“They’re not the wrong words, either, honey,” Reba said gently. “Zander doesn’t bulldoze, like Blaine, but he is a strong leader and a fierce protector. He just has a gentler, more charming way about him.”

“He does ooze charm, but he’s solid, you know? I’ve always been the one to hold the reins, and there’s this part of me that has always been afraid that if I didn’t clutch them to my chest, things would fall apart. But I don’t feel that pressure around Zander.” Even when Brian was sober and not doing drugs, she’d never felt like she could drop the reins and he’d be there to pick them up. Not in the way she knew Zander would.

“I think the word you’re looking for is partner,” Reba said. “Someone you can count on to always have your back and watch out for your best interests.”

“Yes. Exactly. That’s actually a perfect word, given the reason we’re married. He’s my partner in crime.”

“Not in crime, sweetheart. You’re partners in hope. The two of you are giving Brian a second chance. I guess Preacher and I did something right.”