How was I going to sit here and not push Jeremy away?

“Yes,” Lawrence picked up. “We’re talking about a package that would make you bigger than Joel and Victoria Olsteen.”

Clyde added, “The numbers haven’t been worked out yet, but we’re talking high seven figures.”

That took my attention away from Jeremy’s hand on my knee. I inhaled. “What?”

The men nodded, letting me know that I’d heard Clyde correctly.

Jeremy said, “They recognize what you and I have together, babe. They know that as a couple, we’re just getting started. And because Amazon does so much, they want us to do everything from writing books, to producing original programming to even developing a full merchandise line.”

“Wow,” I said.

“Exactly.” Jeremy laughed as if he thought I was so impressed with the deal. If only he knew my wow was because this was never going to happen.

The men continued talking, throwing out numbers, concepts, ideas. I just sat there thinking when would be a good moment to tell them that Jeremy was a liar and a cheat.

After a couple of minutes of my silence, Jeremy paused. “Are you okay?”

When he rubbed my arm, I watched Clyde and Lawrence staring at me. This wasn’t the time to say all that I wanted to say.

“I'm fine," I managed to squeak out. “I was just thinking about...” I paused, trying to come up with something. “The Dress for Success program. We’re going to be taking it into schools,” I said to Clyde and Lawrence, though I had no idea why I was explaining this to them.

“You know it’s going to be wonderful with all the time and effort you’ve put into it,” my husband said. Then, he turned to Clyde and explained what I’d been doing with girls in the foster care system and how I was expanding the program into schools. He finished with, “I've never seen anyone more committed to anything."

Lawrence grinned. “It's that commitment that has us confident you two are perfect for the slate of projects we have planned. And to be honest, there is something else that has impressed us.” He paused. “We did look at several pastors throughout the country and like I said, we love your commitment to your congregation and the community, but we are just as impressed with your commitment to your family and each other.”

When Jeremy wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me close, I had to count from ten backwards to stop myself from jerking away.

“I am committed to my wife,” Jeremy said. “Because I know that God blessed me with a jewel and I treat her like the precious woman she is.” He kissed my cheek and my smile faded. I couldn’t help it. There was no way for me to smile and not punch Jeremy in the eye at the same time.