Zoe Bell had no idea that someone had given her a nickname "Lady Fox" as she glanced at William Hale sitting across from her at lunch.
"Mr. Hale, thank you for today. I didn't expect Brandon Stone to find his way here," she said.
"As you've mentioned, we are husband and wife," he replied.
William Hale looked at her, "As a husband, it's my duty to protect you."
Zoe Bell's hand tightened slightly around her chopsticks.
My duty?
He said it openly and matter-of-factly.
"I think when you talk to me, you don't need to use 'Mr. Hale,'" William Hale said evenly. "I understand we're not close yet, and you feel this is respectful and polite."
"But being overly polite is like deliberately trying to keep your distance from me."
"Mrs. Hale, between us..."
"We shouldn't keep our distance!" he exclaimed.
He wanted to be closer to her,
Much closer!
Zoe Bell nodded, "I understand, it won't happen again."