Addison had spent the last hour listening to the noise that was Joanna. Between her vocal enjoyment of her meal and her silverware occasionally clanking against the china, it was all Addison could do not to get up and pummel the woman. So, as soon as her appetite was sated, Addison’s only thought was escape. Get away from the annoyance, the noise, and the woman who was now her wife, but as she headed for the door, she glanced in Joanna’s direction and immediately stopped. Joanna was wearing jeans and a loose-fitting blouse, and on her feet were a pair of loafers, shabby and scuffed. She looked like she belonged in a food line, and Addison’s blood pressure skyrocketed.

Hearing the faintest of sounds, Joanna looked up and saw Addison staring back at her from across the room. Her stare was colder than the color of her eyes.

For a few seconds, they had a silent duel of wills as they stared at each other until Addison’s patience ran out. “You’re not dressed.”

Joanna raised an eyebrow and looked down. Just as she suspected, she was definitely not naked. “Yes, I am,” she said as she popped up her head.

“You are not properly dressed,” Addison said, enunciating every syllable spoken.

“Define proper,” Joanna said, getting up from her chair.

Addison shook her head as she let out a grunt of disgust. “How come I’m not surprised you don’t know the word?”

“I know lots of words,” Joanna said, taking a step in Addison’s direction. “I know arrogant and autocratic. I know pretentious and abrasive, and I know haughty and...cow.” Noticing that the veins in Addison’s temples had swelled instantly, Joanna folded her arms across her chest. “What, you don’t like my words?”

“What I don’t like is for you to come to my table dressed like a common cleaner. In my house, proper attire is worn during meals. So, the next time you plan to sit at my table, you’re to be dressed accordingly. Do I make myself clear?”

“What’s clear is that you’re used to getting your own way, but I have news for you. You don’t own me. The staff may tremble at your glowering, but I don’t. If I had known there was a dress code, I would have done my best to follow it, but seeing there are no guests in this house and there’s no one here to comment on my clothes other than you, why does it really matter what I wear?”

“It matters to me!”

“Really?” Joanna said as she placed her hands on her hips. “Why, sweetheart, I didn’t think you cared.”

Addison’s nostrils flared as she took a step toward Joanna. “I don’t like your mouth.”