Page 25 of Wife By Accident

Strange. He’d been so caught up with Olivia that he’d hardly thought about his brother in the last few hours.

“Leo!”

Leo was pulled from his thoughts by Jake striding into the office. Jake was a few years older than Leo, but he’d been working at Palasa almost since the beginning. He was the closest thing Leo had to a friend. Jake had often joined Leo and Kyle at large meetings, or while working on important projects. They’d hung out a few times outside of work, too, grabbing beers in the evening or dinner after winning a big contract. In the last few months, though, Leo had been avoiding Jake — he reminded him too much of Kyle and everything they’d shared.

He was happy to see Jake now, though.

“Jake,” he said. “Please, have a seat.”

“Boss, I have to say, you look a little worse for wear.” Jake wrinkled his nose, “Are you hungover from your big night in Vegas?”

Leo rubbed his temple. “Maybe a little.” He’d told a few employees that he’d be gone an extra night because he was going to Las Vegas. Jake, being close to Leo, clearly didn’t mind teasing him a little about it.

“Good for you,” Jake grinned. “It’s nice to see you let loose a little. It’s been a while since you’ve had any fun. Decades, maybe.”

Leo rolled his eyes at the good-natured ribbing. “I have plenty of fun.”

“Balancing Palasa’s accounts at midnight doesn’t count,” Jake joked. “Seriously, though, how was Vegas? Did you win big?”

“Um…” Leo hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he should tell Jake about the biggest surprise the Vegas roulette had thrown at him — his new bride. “I played some poker. A little roulette. I won a few times.”

“That’s it?” Jake was incredulous. “I did that much gambling at last year’s company party.”

Leo smiled at the memory of Jake ruling the blackjack table at the party, Kyle by his side. Leo himself had steered clear of the games that night, his mind on an important meeting the next day.

Maybe Jake was right. Maybe he did need to loosen up a little. And Olivia was the clearest example that he was loosening up.

“Something else happened, too,” Leo said cautiously.

Jake’s eyes widened. “Let me guess. Did you get some?”

“No.”

“Come on, boss,” Jake said, laughing. “You’re killing me here. What happened?”

“I met a woman,” Leo said.

“Oh, so you did get some.” Jake winked, “Good for you, boss.”

“I didn’t, but I did do something a bit reckless. I got really drunk, and…”

“Yes?” Jake rolled a hand for Leo to continue. “What happened?”

“I got married,” Leo shrugged. For a long moment, Jake just stared at him. Then he burst into laughter.

“That’s a good one, boss. You really had me going. I almost thought you’d actually gotten married in Vegas!” Leo’s expression remained neutral, and Jake’s laughter faded away. “Wait,” his expression suddenly turned serious. “You’re not joking? You got married?”

“I did. See? I really let loose.” Leo shrugged again.

“Please tell me there was a prenup,” Jake said. He leaned forward, his eyes focused intensely on Leo.

“A prenup?” Leo shook his head. “I don’t even remember getting married. I doubt two drunk people were thinking much about the legal consequences — or thought to consult a lawyer.”

“You don’t remember getting married?”

“No. But neither does she.”

“Are you sure? Is that what she said?”