It wouldn’t be a surprise if he jumped on her the minute she walked in the house. He seemed perfectly happy with the step they’d taken in their relationship. She’d worried a man as reserved as Rene would be less than affectionate in public, but he’d held her hand in front of his mom, and when Armie had picked her up, he’d made a big show out of kissing her and telling Armie to take care of her.

It turned out her husband was a bit of a cuddle bunny.

“But I would rather talk to you,” Charles replied with a smooth smile. “Whatever Rene promised you, he won’t be able to make it happen. You know that, right?”

He was starting to irritate her. Getting her hair “did” always calmed her down, and this fool was harshing her beauty buzz. “He promised to love, honor, and cherish me. That was all. So far he’s doing a fine job.”

Charles’s green eyes narrowed. “No one believes this is a real marriage. My aunt won’t, either. I know she thinks your momma walks on water and all, but I can make her see the truth. I’ve thought about it for a solid week now, and I can tear down this plot of Rene’s, but I’ll be honest, I feel guilty about you being collateral damage.”

She sent him her best “sure you do” stare. She used it in this building a lot.

He held up a hand. “I mean it. I wish Rene hadn’t dragged you in. If he truly cared about you, he wouldn’t have.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that,” she replied. “And I’m pretty tough. I don’t think of myself as anyone’s collateral damage.”

A brow cocked over his eyes. “Maybe you haven’t given your situation enough consideration. I’m surprised because you always were a critical thinker. Have you asked yourself how a quickie marriage and an even quicker divorce is going to affect your political career?”

She faced him down, happy she’d taken the time to change back into her heels. She’d been in boots and jeans when she’d gone out to the islands with the sheriff. Armie had helped her check on the families who lived in the vulnerable places. He’d also waited on the dock while she’d switched the bids at the cabin. “Somehow I don’t think it will have much of an effect. Getting a divorce isn’t a scandal these days, though my husband and I are doing quite well. News of our imminent divorce is entirely unfounded.”