“It was, in a way, but remember, I like Marie. That’s why I went along with it. There’s no one I’d rather read the newspaper with every morning or gossip with every evening, or . . .”

That was another thing that wasn’t true anymore. He and Dani gossiped several evenings a week. Or at random times of the day or night, such as when she was fleeing a date. They also talked about more serious matters. It was amazing—and exhilarating—how easily they could toggle between the two.

“But you were content to step aside when she met Leo,” Dani said, filling in the sentence he’d trailed off.

“Well, I stepped aside.”

“But not contentedly?”

“I was happy for her. I am happy for her.” He was aware that he was prevaricating. And also that Dani, she of the sharp mind and the sharp tongue, probably would not stand for it.

“But?” she prompted, and he chuckled. He knew her too well.

“Well, I would never say this to Marie, but I’m back to square one with my parents. I refuse to marry someone under false pretenses, to shackle myself to a woman who will expect fidelity and devotion and all those qualities that are perfectly reasonable to expect from one’s husband.”

“You need another Marie—someone you like but who doesn’t expect you to behave like a husband. Someone who’s happy to live parallel lives.” She cackled. “You should marry me. Then I can quit my job and write books full time without it mattering if they’re scholarly enough and you can carry on in your usual fashion, blissfully free of the weight of spousal expectations.”

Something in his chest both lurched and settled at the same time. Wouldn’t that be lovely? He kept his response light, though. “But will you gossip with me in the evenings?”

“Of course. We already do that. The problem with this scenario, though, is I am thoroughly lacking in connections to the Austrian crown.”

He chuckled. “There’s also the part where you’re post-men—I assume that rules out even sham marriages.”

“Don’t forget the part where I’m still married.”

“Touché. Regardless of me and my problems, I truly am happy Marie found Leo.”

“I think it’s okay to be both.”

“What do you mean?”

“Of course you’re happy for Marie, but it’s also okay to have feelings about the fact that your life plan has been upended. Even if you haven’t had your heart broken in the conventional sense, you have lost something.”