Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime
Chapter 138: Wine and What-Ifs

Chapter 138: Wine and What-Ifs

After a beat, he stepped forward slightly and spoke, voice gentle and sincere.

"You can take the bed, Zeph. It’s fine. I’ll sleep on the floor." He gave her a small smile. "The rug actually looks... decently survivable."

Zephany blinked at him, almost surprised by how naturally he said it. Polite, unbothered, just... Kendrick.

She opened her mouth to argue, but he was already kneeling down, inspecting the floor as if assessing it for comfort. "See? Not too bad. Might even be character-building."

That earned a soft laugh from her, easing the tension just a little.

Then, clearly eager to shift the mood, Kendrick stood and clapped his hands together lightly.

"Actually," he said, his tone turning brighter, "didn’t the clerk say this place is known for their local wine?"

Zephany’s face lit up. "They are. I’ve read about it before. Something about lavender blends and oak-aged flavors, right?"

Kendrick nodded. "Exactly. You wanna try it?"

She didn’t hesitate. "Sure!" she said, a little more excitedly than she meant to—but honestly, she’d always wanted to taste it. She’d heard about the region’s wine specialty in passing, but never had the chance. Now felt like the perfect excuse.

Kendrick grinned. "Alright. I’ll go out and grab a bottle. Be back soon."

Zephany stretched her arms above her head with a yawn. "Cool. I’ll go take a shower while you’re out."

He gave her a short, warm nod. "Sounds good."

And with that, Kendrick slipped out the door, the little bell above it giving a soft jingle as it closed behind him.

The awkwardness had faded, replaced with a different kind of energy. Quiet anticipation. Maybe even comfort.

As the water began to run in the bathroom, Zephany caught herself smiling.

Minutes later, just as Zephany stepped out of the shower and began blowing her hair dry, Kendrick returned quietly, the soft jingle of the door announcing his arrival.

He carried a small bag full of local snacks, two bottles of regional wine, and neatly folded clothes for both of them.

He approached with a warm smile. "Here, thought you might like these."

Zephany, now wearing only a white bathrobe, turned and saw the clothes. A pair of soft linen pants and a breezy, patterned blouse rested in her hands.

She blinked, then blushed when she noticed the underwear tucked in as well.

Flustered, she turned away quickly and said, "Oh, Ken... thank you." Her voice came out small and shy.

Quick to change the subject, she set down the hair dryer and gave him a playful smile.

"Let me set up the wine. Your turn for a shower." She moved to the small table, already beginning to sort through the snacks and wine with deliberate focus.

Kendrick chuckled at her sudden efficiency. "Sounds perfect," he said, stepping toward the bathroom. "You go ahead, call me if you need anything."

Zephany dressed quickly, slipping into the outfit Kendrick had chosen. The soft cream linen pants and blouse brought out the color of her eyes. When she noticed the other folded set of clothes—his—a matching short-sleeve shirt and shorts, she paused.

Her cheeks warmed. So it really was a matching set. A couple shirt. She smiled quietly to herself.

She found wine glasses tucked neatly inside a drawer, likely left there by the inn. After rinsing them clean, she set them on the wooden table and poured a small amount into each glass. The aroma filled the room with a mellow blend of lavender and aged oak. She arranged the snacks next: crumbly cheese, olives, and honeyed nuts.

A few minutes later, the bathroom door clicked open and Kendrick stepped out, wearing a simple white bathrobe.

Zephany looked up at the sound, only to freeze.

He stood in the doorway, relaxed, the robe hanging just right, his damp hair tousled and skin still flushed from the heat. Her breath caught, and for a second, she couldn’t move. Her eyes lingered. Broad shoulders, calm eyes, that casual confidence. She gulped.

Kendrick caught her expression and smirked. "Do you love what you’re seeing, wife?"

Still blushing, Zephany grabbed the folded clothes and tossed them his way. "Shameless," she muttered, trying to sound annoyed but failing completely.

She turned back to the table. "I’ll pour the wine," she added, then blinked as she realized she’d already done it.

Kendrick took the clothes with a quiet laugh and changed quickly. When he returned, fully dressed in the matching shirt and shorts, he joined her at the table.

He sat beside her, glancing at the setup she’d made. The glasses gleamed under the soft lamplight, and the snacks looked like they came from a charming countryside market. He ran his finger lightly around the rim of his glass, then looked over at her.

"So," he asked, "have you tried the wine?"

Zephany smiled at him. "Not yet," she said. "I was waiting for you." Her cheeks turned even redder as her eyes drifted to his shirt and shorts, which were perfectly identical to hers.

So it really is a couple shirt, she thought.

Kendrick lifted his glass. "Okay. Let’s cheer."

Their glasses met with a gentle clink.

They each took a sip, the wine unfolding on their tongues. It was smooth, balanced, with that delicate lavender edge and a mellow oak aftertaste. Zephany let out a soft, satisfied sigh.

"Mmm... that’s really good," she said.

"Right?" Kendrick leaned back, clearly pleased. "Local specialty for a reason."

They snacked as they drank. The olives were chewy and salty, the cheese tangy and soft, and the nuts coated in just enough honey to melt sweetly on the tongue. The conversation between them stayed light. They laughed easily, sometimes pausing just to look at one another between bites.

"Should we take pictures?" Kendrick suggested, already reaching for his phone. "I mean, it’s not every day we match unintentionally."

Zephany laughed. "Speak for yourself. I have zero makeup on and wet hair."

"You look amazing," he said simply, lifting the phone.

They leaned in close, smiling in some photos, pulling faces in others. Zephany tried to block one with a hand, which only made it better. Kendrick showed her the results and she rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop grinning.

"Who knew we’d end up here?" Zephany said softly, lifting a nut on her fork.

Kendrick smiled, gently brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Best plot twist," he murmured, his gaze never leaving hers.

They leaned a little closer, the wine warming more than just their cheeks.

---

[109 Days Left to Live]

The next morning, Kendrick was jolted awake by a startled voice.

"What the—" Zephany sat upright in bed, her hair messy and eyes wide as she looked around in shock. "What happened last night?"

Kendrick blinked at her, still groggy, then followed her gaze.

The room was a mess.

Wine bottles—empty. Clothes scattered in different corners of the room. The small snack tray half-tipped on the floor. And the two of them? They were under the blanket, completely unclothed. Nothing but skin between them and the sheets.

Zephany’s face turned pale. She pulled the blanket tighter around her, her voice shaky. "Did we... you know..."

Kendrick rubbed his eyes and sat up slowly. His heart was thudding now. "Did we do that thing... that adults do?"

Zephany looked at him, still stunned.

He hesitated, eyes glancing at the clothes, the bed, then finally back at her.

"Seems like we did," he said quietly, almost not believing it himself.

She stared for a moment, then exhaled hard, burying her face in her hands. "Oh my god."

Trying to keep his voice steady, Kendrick added, "I’ll take responsibility."

Zephany looked up, half-exasperated, half-still processing. "We’re already married."

"I know. But still..." he started.

She cut him off gently, her voice firm. "Let’s not talk about it. Not right now."

He gave a small nod. Silence followed. It wasn’t angry or cold. Just... confused. And heavy.

They both leaned back into their respective sides of the bed, staring at the ceiling like it might give them answers.

After a while, Zephany carefully pulled the blanket aside and reached for her bathrobe. As she stood, she gathered her clothes from the floor without saying much, clearly avoiding eye contact.

Kendrick watched her walk to the bathroom, and as the door closed behind her, he looked down at the sheets.

A faint stain caught his eye.

He ran a hand through his hair, his face tightening. "We really did. And I was too out of it to remember."

He sat there, staring at the floor. Sure, they were married. But it wasn’t like they’d fallen into that part of marriage naturally. This was still a contract. A quiet agreement. Zephany hadn’t exactly signed up for this. And now he didn’t know where he stood.

What was he supposed to do now?

---

A few hours later, the two of them walked into the small local gallery like they had planned the night before. Neither said much. The air between them still held the awkwardness of the morning.

"Welcome," the owner greeted warmly. "You made it. Coffee’s over there. Canvases are ready for you."