They both sat in the car as the driver brought the engine to life and started moving the car through the streets of Brooklyn. The duo lost in their world. With thousands of questions arising in their head, they were busy answering them.

Even though during their first meeting she had found Ashton to be cold and threatening but now looking at his behaviour towards Sam and how he was treating her nicely at least so far, she now started to have a change in her opinion about him. He was pretty charming and knew how to crack jokes and make any situation comical or erotic depending upon his mood, she smiled.

She remembered the previous night when they had talked about the full moon, just the thought of the conversation brought the heat to her cheeks and true to his words he had stayed to his side, she smiled but then composing herself once again she remembered the mantra she had repeated to herself a million times.

Ashton king was not someone she could fall for. All the people she had loved so far were snatched by the fate so cruelly that now she was scared to love anyone else. After her parents and sister, Sam was the only one she was left with and now she couldn't afford opening the door of her heart to anyone else.

She was done with people entering her life and leaving all of a sudden and Ashton king was not someone who needed or wanted her love and he was certainly not someone who could return her love. There was no chance that she would ever fall for anyone at least not in this life. But what about Ashton, a voice questioned.

Maybe there will come a day when he will fall for someone...What would he do then, this was a question she didn't want to answer but then her brain and heart answered together.

'He will leave, of course.' And the thought of him leaving made her feel uneasy. Why? She didn't know but it did. She turned her head to look at Ashton and found his seat empty.

"Where did he go?" she frowned and the door to her side opened and she found Ashton standing in front of her stretching his hand for her to take.

He gave her a small smile, "Come, we have reached our destination."

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realise they had already arrived at the venue. Placing her hand in his she stepped out of the car. For some unknown reason the feel of her hand in his bigger one felt good, she unwillingly acknowledged.

"Today we are going to meet two of my best friends," Ashton said interrupting her thoughts.

"So remember one thing, we have to act like a real couple."

"You didn't tell them that this marriage is just a sham?" She questioned.

"There are some things I like to keep to myself and this marriage is one of those things."

"Even though they are your best friends?"

"That's the reason. They are my good friends and I don't want them to worry about my problems."

She looked at him as he gazed straight ahead. So he is someone who keeps his heart so tightly shut that even his best friends would have no idea what's going on in that heart of his, Lilly noted.

"Come on, now it's showtime. If we succeeded in making these two believe that we married for love and this marriage is real then there will not be any problem in making the rest of the world believe in us especially Elsie."

"Hmm... I'll do my best." she tried to smile and look confident of what they were doing but Ashton still noticed the nervousness that crossed her face and gave her hand a little squeeze. A small gesture to reassure that they were together in this. A small gesture that didn't go unnoticed on Lilly's part.

As they entered the restaurant, the manager took them to the reserved area where two other couples were already seated.

As Ashton and Lilly reached the table the two men got up, smiling at Ashton.

"Hey Ashton, it's been a long time." One of the men said as he gave Ashton a quick hug.

"Let me introduce you to my wife," Ashton announced as he pulled Lilly closer to him, "This is Lilly." he smiled at her. The same smile that he gives to Sam, Lilly noted. The same smile that always made her heart skip a beat.

"And Lilly, this is Liam Richardson and his wife Evangeline," Ashton said as he introduced her to the two couples.

"And this is Aaron Rodriguez and his wife Livia."

After the brief introduction, they all took their seats. As the dinner was served their conversation started. Often the men would crack a joke or two and Lilly noticed how relaxed Ashton looked around his friends. As dinner neared to an end Ashton got a call.

" I would need to take this call." With that Ashton excused himself.

Liam looked at Aaron and asked, "Mind joining for a drink?"

" I am coming." With that Aaron and Liam too left the table.

Now the three women were left alone on the table. Lilly could feel the burning gaze of the two curious souls. She knew she was going to be in big trouble now and Ashton was still busy on his call.

"With men gone, we finally have some time for some ladies' talk now," Livia called for Lilly's attention.

"Yeah..." Lilly gave a nervous laugh.

"So, how you two met?" Eva questioned looking excited as if she was planning to pen down the details for writing a story later.

'Here we go with the interrogation and the worst part is I didn't even plan a story.' Lilly worried.

"Come on, don't be shy."

"Well... it was when Ashton came to my house when something went wrong with his car. He stopped by to ask for a glass of water." she tried to knit the perfect love at first sight story while her conscience screamed, 'You Liar! he had asked for dinner and you didn't give him any.'

'Shut up!' her brain retaliated.

"Love at first sight?'' asked Eva.

"Erm...Yes."

"When did you two marry?"

"Just recently."

"You know Aaron, Liam and Ashton are best friends so we know Ashton if not a lot then at least a little. To be honest we had never thought that he would someday marry a girl and call us to meet her." Livia smiled as she continued.

"When Aaron said Ashton got married it was a surprise for me."

Lilly could see that disbelief and curiosity in the other women's eyes. An expression that was mirrored in the eyes of her companion as well. Once again from the corner of her eye, she looked at Ashton who was still on the call.

'How long are you going to be on that stupid phone? Come here already! I am in deep trouble.'

"Do you like him?" Eva interrupted Lilly's telepathy.

"A lot," Lilly answered with a smile and then realised she isn't supposed to like him. He is her husband who deserves the love of his wife and not mere liking. So correcting her mistake she spoke again, ''I love him. A lot. I don't think I'd be able to live even a day without him by my side."

The two women looked at each other and then back at her and finally giving a beaming smile they said, "Welcome to the billionaire's wife club."

"Club?"

Livia laughed and explained, "It's not a club. I and Eva became friends when Aaron and Liam introduced us to each other and since then we have been really good friends. Now that Ashton has finally found someone who loves and cherish him we would only be more than happy in welcoming you in our little world."

Lilly smiled. ''That's sweet. Since I am new here I don't have any friends."

"Don't forget to give me your number. I'll make a group with the three of us and we can hang out." Eva announced happily.

"Alright." Lilly laughed. She was feeling at ease now as it seemed she had gained the approval of the two women. They both were nice and friendly, Lilly acknowledged.

"I think I need to use the washroom again," said Livia as she tried to get up.

"Oh! You are pregnant?" Lilly saw the baby bump as she got up.

"Yes," Livia answered happily. "7 months. It's a boy."

"Oh wow!" In her nervousness earlier she hadn't noticed the small baby bump on Livia. She looked so beautiful, Lilly admired the pregnancy glow on Livia's face and somewhere in her heart, she felt the want to feel it. The feeling of keeping a baby in the womb for 9 months. How would it feel, she wondered.

"Where are you going?" Aaron came as he took Livia's hand in his.

"Washroom," Livia answered.

"I'll accompany you." Even though the couple was walking away from the table Eva and Lilly could still hear them.

"Aaron, I'll manage. You go."

"When I said I am coming with you then it meant I. Am. Coming. It wasn't a request. It was a statement."

Livia sighed. "Gosh! Seriously?"

"Yes because you are careless. What if you got bumped into something and got hurt."

"The only thing I bump into is your chest." Livia laughed and Aaron chuckled.

Finally, they took a turn to their right and now their voice was inaudible.

"They are such sweethearts." Lilly smiled.

"Yes. Totally and crazily in love." Eva laughed.

Lilly turned her attention to Eva and knew the interrogation was going to start again. So before Eva could ask a question Lilly interrupted.

"How did you meet Mr Richardson?"

Lilly noticed how Eva's cheeks blushed lightly and her eyes darted to Liam who was talking to someone. The look of love and adoration shone in her eyes as she turned her attention back to Lilly.

"My story began with a kiss."

"Sounds interesting." Lilly looked at her hoping for more details. She never knew she would ever get a chance to enjoy such conversations. She was glad she got to meet these two lovely souls.

"You know I am hoping for some details."

Eva laughed looking at her curiosity.

"I will tell you but some other time."

Lilly turned to look at Ashton again. He was not on his phone now. Rather he was talking to a woman. As she tried to bring that person into focus she realised that woman was none other than Elsie, his stepmother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What can it be?

Promotion of two of my other books!! 😁

I'm sure she ate something wrong. I had thought of better possibilities than this 😭

It's alright I didn't deceive you bcz this dinner thing was necessary to get the plot further and since Ashton had to meet his friends and I had to get Lilly thinking of a few things so this was needed. Since this part was necessary I thought why not promote Rodriguez and Richardson a little? 😅

So those who are new here and haven't read "" and "" go and check 'em out!!

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