Chapter 3

As soon as I got off work, I made a beeline for the nearest market and scoured for the cheapest ready meals I could find. Every single one was a heat-and-eat dish.

If Edward wanted to act, I'd play along all the way.

After I got home, I piled all the ready meals onto plates and slid them into the microwave.

A few minutes later, the savory aroma spread through the whole house, as if it was laughing at my attempt to keep up the act.

Just after eight, the doorbell rang, pressing in like some uninvited guest demanding entry.

Edward strode in with five guys trailing behind him, all swaggering and loud—the exact bunch of rowdy friends I usually tried to avoid.

Just then, Edward's so-called best friend, Gareth, let out a sleazy whistle the moment he saw me, like he was playing some off-key tune. "Damn, Edward, your wife is a real stunner.

"Hey, Nancy, what did you cook today? Smells amazing."

He leaned in, twirled a strand of my hair, and sniffed it like he was checking out a rose with thorns. "Let me guess... Ribs? Or steak? Did I get it right?"

I fought back the urge to gag and took a step back, keeping my distance.

Edward, bringing up the rear, smacked Gareth on the head like he was swatting a pesky fly. "Hey, watch how you talk to my wife.

"Don't mind him, honey. That's just how he is. He means no harm."

The guys walked right in, shoes still on, stomping across the carpet like they owned the place.

I wiped my hands on my apron, set the heated dishes on the table, and put on my best fake smile. "Come on in, guys. All the dishes are ready. Grab a seat and dig in."

Edward looked a bit stunned at how smoothly I was going along with everything, like he never expected me to play the part so willingly.

He gave the guys a subtle nod, telling them to keep messing with me, like he was running some ridiculous show.

Gareth said, "Edward, you're a lucky guy, marrying such a capable and virtuous nurse. She whipped up eight dishes in just one afternoon."

He grinned, flicking his cigarette ash right into the cup in front of him like it was his personal ashtray. "Hey, pretty nurse, stop running around and come have a couple of drinks with us."

I curved my lips into a smile and gently placed the last dish in the center of the lazy Susan, like it was my masterpiece. "Go ahead and dig in, guys. I've got soup simmering in the kitchen."

As I turned to head into the kitchen, I overheard Edward muttering in surprise, "That's weird. She always hates it when men start eating without waiting for the women."

"Honey." Edward poked his head in, wearing a fake smile. "Why don't you come eat with us? My friends all want to raise a glass to you."

I was scooping seafood soup into a thermos, and when he said that, I quickly waved him off. "No, I'm just gonna eat something quick here."

He stared at the thermos in my hand, looking confused. "What's with those?"

"Some late-night snacks for my night shift coworkers," I replied coolly, snapping the lid shut like it was my own little secret.

*****

When Edward knocked again, I was munching on some seafood, watching the security feed like I was tuning into some boring soap opera.

"Honey, can you grab me a fork?" Edward called out.

As I cracked the door open, a wave of acrid smoke hit me, like I'd just walked into a battlefield shrouded in haze.

The beige carpet was already stained with grease, and Gareth was grinding chicken bones into the pattern, like he was making some kind of abstract art.

"Damn, Nancy, this carpet is super soft," Gareth slurred, grinning at me like he'd claimed a prize. "Oops, I spilled a little. Sorry, Nancy."

He flashed a grin, his eyes full of teasing and provocation, like he was waiting to see how I'd respond.

It seemed like these guys were all in cahoots, hoping to catch me losing my cool.

If I showed even a hint of annoyance, Edward would pounce on the opportunity to make a scene, like it was all part of his plan.

But I wasn't about to let them have their way. I was going to show them my acting chops.

My smile only grew brighter, like sunlight breaking through the clouds.

After all, Edward was the one who'd have to deal with the mess later, so why shouldn't I let things get wild?

The crazier it got, the more I enjoyed it, like it was my own little celebration.

"No worries, as long as everyone's having a blast. The carpet can be washed. It's really not a big deal," I said.

Gareth was clearly stunned, not expecting me to stay so calm and collected.

Edward's face froze, like he'd been caught in a snapshot.

All the lines he'd rehearsed got stuck in his throat, and he couldn't get a word out.

For the next two hours, I played my part to perfection, like I was made for this role. "Anyone want some coffee? I just brewed some.

"Fruit's all cut up. Want a napkin?"

Someone went out of their way to spill red wine on the sofa, but I kept smiling, like it was no big deal. "No worries. I'll throw a cover over it.

"This carpet needed replacing anyway. Perfect excuse for a new one."

I was so flawless that Edward couldn't even find a single reason to get mad.

Even his buddies were left speechless, genuinely impressed by my performance. "Edward, your wife's temper is absolutely great."

"If I could marry a woman like her, it'd be worth losing ten years of my life."

When they were leaving, they shot Edward knowing looks and patted him on the shoulder, clearly mocking his lack of control. "Take it easy on Nancy later, man. No need to overdo it."

Edward stood at the door, seeing everyone out. His smile was so stiff that it was like he was a puppet on strings.

He'd planned to stir things up and show off in front of his buddies, but now that everyone was raving about how perfect I was, he was left with no excuse to blow up.