Chapter 86 

I chuckle as I hold up a checked shirt and eye it suspiciously. 

“That’s fucking hideous, man.” 

“True.” I put it back on the hanger and keep looking. 

“So what is this town actually like?” he asks as we keep looking. 

“It’s…” I shrug. “I hate to say it, but it’s kind of growing on me.” 

“Why?” 

“Violet and the kids are there.” I pull off another checked shirt and hold it out to look at it. 

“Can I come this weekend to meet them?” 

“No, not yet.” 

> “You say that every week.” He takes it off me and puts it back. “What’s happening with 

Violet, anyway?” 

“She hates me.” 

His eyes 

flick to meet mine. “I thought you were all in love.” 

“It’s one–sided.” 

“Your side?” He frowns. 

“Yep.” I hold out another shirt. “Maybe I should get a belt with a big fuck–off cowboy buckle?” 

“Maybe you shouldn’t.” He holds up a T–shirt, screws up his face and puts it back. “How’s 

Ariana?” 

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called her yesterday to check on her.” 

And?” 

“And…I’m officially the worst human in the world. While I’m breaking her heart, someone else is breaking mine.” “Karma.” He nods all knowingly. 

I fake a smile and drop it immediately. 

“So what do they wear in this town?” 

don’t know.” I shrug. “Average dad stuff.” 

“Do you mean to tell me we’re shopping to try and make you look like an average dad?” 

“Yeah.” I nod. “Exactly.” 

“Why would you want to do that?” 

“All my kid’s life he’s been different because he didn’t have a dad.” I pick up a shirt and throw it over my arm. “I just want him to feel normal. With a normal dad who does normal 

things.” 

“Except…you’re not normal, you will never be normal. You’re one of the wealthiest men in 

the world.” 

“Yeah, well…” I pick up another shirt. “That means jack shit to him.” I throw another shirt over my arm. “You want to come over to my place for dinner tonight?” 

“Yeah, okay.” He takes a shirt off me and puts it back. “This one is better.” He passes me 

another shirt from the rack. 

“So what’s the plan, long term I mean?” he asks. 

I think for a moment. “Convince Violet to love me.” 

7 p.m. 

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“Chop the onions into thin slices.” I watch the woman intently and follow her directions. I carefully chop the onions. 

“Now what?” I ask. 

“You know you’re speaking to an iPad, right?” Mark says from his stool at the kitchen 

counter. 

“Shut up.” 

“Pour the olive oil into the pan and sauté the onions until they become fragrant.” 

“How the hell does an onion turn into fragrance?” I frown. “What the fuck is the fragrance, onion juice?” 

Mark rolls his eyes and sips his beer. My door buzzes. “Go let Alessio in, will you?” Mark disappears to answer the door. 

“While the onions are cooking, get the breadcrumbs ready.” I watch what she does intently, 

how does she do so many things at the same time? Alessio arrives in the kitchen and frowns 

when he sees me in my apron. “What the hell are you doing?” 

“Cooking.” 

“Why, where is your chef?” 

“Night off. I’m learning to cook from YouTube,” I reply. 

“This is going too far now.” Alessio rolls his eyes. “Who are you and what have you done 

with my brother?” 

“I want to cook for my children.” 

“So ask Mom to teach you.” 

“I’m not talking to Mom.” 

Alessio drags his hand down his face. “I’ll stay…but only if you call 

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Mom tomorrow.” 

Get out, then.” 

“Marinate the meat in a closed container,” she instructs. 

Alessio opens a beer and the boys start chatting while I go to grab a container. I look in one 

drawer, then another, then another. I can find the bottom…hmm. 

The onions sizzle. “They’re burning,” Alessio calls, 

Shit.” I grab the pan with my bare hand. “Ahhh, its hot!” I flick it away and it nearly all tips 

out. 

ges 

V 

ww 

“You are so bad at this.” 

“Shut up.” 

I keep searching. “I know why it’s called Tupperware,” I snap. “It’s 

Tupper, where is the lid.” 

“So am I going home, or are you calling Mom tomorrow?” 

“I’m not apologizing to her, she was in the wrong.” The onions are smoking. “Stop distracting me, shit’s burning over here.” 

“You just have to call her.” 

“I don’t care if you don’t stay. Fuck off home, then.” 

“And I don’t care for food poisoning. Deal or no deal?” 

“No deal,” I snap. “Leave my mother to me and stay out of my business.” 

Alessio sips his beer. “If this tastes like shit, we’re going out to eat.” 

peer into the pan at the burned onions. “High possibility.” 

The Perfect Husband’s Secret