Page 133 of My Husband Problem

Scott laughs. “Only that Portland’s richest man is now living in small-town Louisiana. Tell us more.”

Declan looks down at me with a smile. “Well, as you may be aware, my wife lives here.”

Scott looks at me. “Yes, we’re all very aware. So what’s going on? Just a visit?”

Declan pulls me more snugly against his side. I can feel my smile wobble, but I’m pretty sure I hold onto it.

This is a simple interview with one reporter. It’s in the parking lot of my hockey arena, for fuck’s sake. This is not a huge gymnasium where millions of eyes are on me, watching to see where I’ll stand on the final podium. This is not a stage in a big auditorium where I’m addressing a thousand young people who want to be inspired by a story about overcoming adversity. This isn’t even my home office where I’m online with millions of viewers tuning in to hear me say something insightful and full of hope and wisdom.

These are sports reporters here to watch a bonkers hockey game and ask questions about why my hot, charming, rich husband is here with me.

Because he fucking likes me, dammit.

I can fucking smile through this.

Just because I may never be able to have real sex with the man that I am madly in love with, and may never be able to actually have a marriage that I now want to have, may never be able to get pregnant—at least the old-fashioned way—may never be able to give Declan what he wants, and deserves to have…

I feel Declan squeeze my hip and realize that not only am I completely tense, but I’m frowning.

“Not happy that Declan’s here?” Scott asks.

I shake my head. “I’m thrilled Declan’s here,” I say.

“It’s probably been a big adjustment, though,” Scott says.

“How so?”

Scott barks out a laugh.

“Going from living a couple thousand miles away, having a house all to yourself, never seeing or talking to him, to having him right here all the time? That’s not an adjustment?”

It’s been absolutely amazing, and I can’t believe I actually tried to push this guy away.

I feel like sobbing.

I love him. I love him so much. He’s been beyond incredible about everything that I have shared with him, everything he’s discovered since landing on my doorstep. And it’s been a lot.

But we can’t do the most basic thing that husbands and wives do. The thing I very much want to do with him.

I have to really force this smile. “It’s been great, Scott. All this time apart was something we needed to do. We both had our businesses to take care of, other responsibilities, of course. But now, having a chance to spend time together like this has been wonderful.”

Scott doesn’t look like he’s totally buying it, and I don’t blame him a bit. He’s been covering Declan in Portland for years. Rebel does not seem like a place that Declan O’Grady would be comfortable. Which is exactly why I thought running him off would be easy.

Yeah, Scott, he surprised me too. Welcome to the club.

“So we were talking to some people before you made it out here,” Scott says. “It sounds like Declan’s fitting in here in small-town Louisiana pretty damned well.” He looks at my brother. “Itwas one thing for me to believe that Alex had become a small-town guy. But Declan?”

“Well, I felt the same way,” I start.

Declan jumps in. “Everything is about motivation, Scott. I went from a tiny island in the Atlantic, running around the halls of an ancient castle, to conference rooms in downtown Portland, Oregon. And now I’m here. My versatility has everything to do with my intentions and the motivating factors behind them.” He squeezes my hip.

I melt against him a little more.

Scott nods as if he loves that answer.

I love that answer too. I start to look up at Declan, but something catches my eye.

Scott’s phone.