My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)

CHAPTER 011: It's Over ~~Luke~~

Today's not going as well as I planned. Well, on the business side, it is. But on the pleasure aspect, I think

I'm screwed.

When Julie sent me the address earlier today, I thought it was just a coincidence. The same restaurant I'm meeting my newest business partner happens to be where I'll be having lunch with Julie and her husband. I should have seen this coming. It's just like they say: when something's too good to be true, it usually is.

I run a hand through my hair, pretending to listen to Ryan's rambling about his company's future while my mind is busy dissecting every single choice that led me here. I should have had my private investigator run a more thorough check on Julie. I can't believe I'd been so careless. This wasn't just bad luck-this was karma coming for me. "So, Mr. Martinez-" Ryan says.

"Luke, please," I cut in, giving him a tight smile. I need to keep things light, professional. Act like I'm not currently wading through an awkward situation with my "business partner's wife.

"Alright, Luke," Ryan beams. "I was saying, the way Couture Collective and Paragon Jewels will complement each other in this campaign is groundbreaking. The luxury market hasn't seen anything like

it."

I nod along, even though I'm only half-listening. I'm more interested in stealing glances at the door where Julie disappeared not long ago. Her quick exit spoke volumes. She's pissed. I don't blame her. But what am I supposed to say? That I had no idea her husband was Ryan, the CEO of the company I'm about to partner with? Sure, that's the truth, but it sounds flimsy even to me.

Ryan keeps talking, and I nod at intervals, throwing in an "interesting" or "that sounds good" every now

and then.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and Julie's name flashes across the screen.

I glance at Ryan, who's still deep in his pitch. "Excuse me," I say, standing up. "I need to take this."

"Of course, of course," Ryan says, waving me off like it's no big deal. "Take your time."

! step outside, feeling the tension follow me out the door. As soon as I'm clear of the restaurant, I hit

answer.

"What the hell is going on, Luke?" Julie's voice comes through the phone, sharp and full of fury. "Did you know Ryan was my husband?"

Great, she's jumping straight into it. No time to ease into this.

"I had no idea," I say, keeping my voice calm. I'm already tired of this conversation, and it hasn't even started. "I swear, Julie. This wasn't part of the plan."

You're lying," she snaps. "You've been grinning all through the meeting. I saw you. You were enjoying yourself!"

"That's my way of holding myself together. What else was I supposed to do? Break down and cry in front

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CHAPTER 011: It's Over

of your husband?"

"Maybe don't look like a cat with stolen treats?" she says. "How the hell did this happen, Luke?"

"I didn't know," I say, enunciating each word. "I had no clue Ryan was your husband. Julie, if I had known, I would've handled things differently."

There's a pause, and I can hear her breathing on the other end. It's shallow, frustrated. She's not convinced.

"Fine," she says, her voice icy now. "Let's say I believe you. You know we can't go ahead with this fake boyfriend thing, right? It's over.

"Whoa, hold on," I say quickly, stepping further away from the restaurant door. "Why are we pulling the plug? This can still work."

"Work?" Her voice rises. "How, Luke? How is this supposed to work now that you're partnering with my husband? Do you hear how insane this is?"

I do, but I'm not about to admit that. "Julie, it's not that complicated. We keep things professional. You can still go ahead with the plan. This doesn't have to affect the deal."

She lets out a bitter laugh, and I can almost see her rolling her eyes. "Oh, sure. Because pretending to date you while also working with you isn't complicated at all. Are you listening to yourself?"

"Look, I get it. It's awkward, but we can manage. I'm good at compartmentalizing." I glance at the restaurant window, catching a glimpse of Ryan still at the table, head buried in his phone. "And frankly, Ryan's too caught up in business to care." "Oh, so now you're a relationship expert?" she snaps. "This isn't just awkward, Luke. It's a disaster waiting to happen."

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Julie, we've come this far. There's no reason to throw it all away."

"There's every reason to throw it away! You're insane if you think I'm going to keep this up."

"Come on, Julie," I say. "Don't do this. The campaign-"

"I don't care about the campaign," she cuts me off, her voice trembling with anger. "I care about not making an even bigger mess of my life."

There's a long pause, and I realize I've pushed her too far. I'm about to apologize, to find some way to de-escalate, when she speaks again, her voice cold and final.

"We're done, Luke. I'm done." And with that, she hangs up.

I stare at my phone, dumbfounded. For a second, I can't believe she actually ended the call like that. I try calling her back, but it goes straight to voicemail.

Great. Just great. I glance back at the restaurant window, where I see Julie walking back to the table, her expression unreadable but tense. She's putting on her "everything's fine" face for Ryan, but I know better.

I shove my phone back into my pocket, take a deep breath, and walk back inside.