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There’s a plea in her eyes. Determination in the set of her jaw. And underneath it all, I’m too fucking soft to push back. If she needs help this desperately, I can give it.
I hold my pinky up with a deep chuckle. “You know these aren’t legally binding, right?” Her finger curls around mine as her eyes point like arrows in my direction. “I know, but only a total asshole breaks a pinky promise.”
When Tabitha Garrison showed up on my front doorstep, I was convinced she was just as problematic as Erika made her out to be. But now? Having watched her? The woman is heartbreak personified, and I’m not convinced of anything.
I’d taken him to the bistro this morning to have them fresh out of the oven. I watched him lick his fingers with such enjoyment and spent the whole time thinking how gutted I’d be to never get to see him gobble up my baking again. The little noises he makes when he’s enjoying something. The way his eyes go extra round when he asks for another one.
SAD
My voice breaks, and it takes me a second to regain my composure. I swallow. I blink. I roll my lips together. And then I feel a big, warm hand on my knee. One I wasn’t expecting. One I have no idea how to feel about. And one I can’t look away from.
For a couple of hours, I don’t think about Erika, or Milo. I wish I could say I don’t think about Tabitha. But that would be a lie. Because much like the very first time I met her, I can’t get the woman out of my head. Haven’t been able to for the past two years.
This woman. She never backs down. Every time she pushes me, I just want to push back.
Not telling her just feels like self-preservation at this point. So instead, I grip her waist with both my hands and flip us again. Now it’s my turn to push her up against a wall. “I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with me being a porn star. If you want to see me fuck someone, the bathroom is right there. Drag me in there right now, and you can watch in the mirror while I bend you over.”
AHHHH
In this instant, I know that I’m about to make a very, very bad decision. But I figure that after being the sister who carefully thought out every choice in her life, I’m due to make a colossally stupid one. And if nothing else, at least being willing to do anything for my family is consistent. Which is why I blurt out my totally absurd idea before I can think it through with my usual level of care. “Marry me.”
I fucking hate when he stares at me. It makes my stomach flop over on itself. The same dropping sensation you get on a thrilling carnival ride. Except those are short-lived. Those end. Rhys Dupris is the carnival ride that I just can’t manage to get off of.
“I’ll marry you, Tabitha.” His words suck all the air out of the room, and I pause with my back to him. What he said was clear as day, and yet I can’t have heard him properly over the pounding in my ears.
She wants to know more—deserves to know more—but I’m still struggling to feel like I don’t have to hide.
I’m not sure what it is, but something about the moment makes me wonder if the man I married even knows how to let someone love him.
“I prefer you when you’re being hostile,” is my only reply.
“I’m not stupid.” Her voice comes out more hushed now. “I don’t expect you to act like we’re married when you’re away. But if we can keep up appearances in and around town, I’d appreciate it.” Realization dawns on me. “I’m not gonna do that to you.”
I wanted to be part of the moment in a bone-deep way that I can’t even begin to explain.
I watch in a daze as Rhys manages the checkout, eyes widening when he tosses two copies of the Rose Hill Gazette on the conveyor at the last minute. “Why do you want two copies of that?” I ask in confusion, still reeling from his kiss. Rhys’s fingers tangle absently in my hair and give a gentle tug. “Obviously we have to keep a copy of our marriage announcement for the wedding album,” he says, like it’s the simplest thing in the world.
“Yeah,” she breathes. “All in your head.” I tilt my head to take a look at her profile. The flush on her cheeks. The way she’s nibbling at her bottom lip. “Tabby, baby, are you sick of playing this game?”
“Hey, Tabitha?” Her hands don’t stop moving when I talk. “Yeah?” “I might be in love with you.” I can hear the smile in her voice when she responds. “Oh wow. You might be? How special. Let me know when you decide.”
I’m taking one thing for myself after years of giving to everyone else. And I’m not letting him go.
I search her face, hoping to memorize every detail. The slope of her nose, the angle of her eyebrows, the swoop of the bow shape on her top lip.
“You have a life, Tabby. Milo. Your restaurant. Your family. You should go be with them. You don’t need to see me like this.” I attempt to pull my hand away, but she grips me harder. “I am with my family, Rhys. If I didn’t want to be here with you, I wouldn’t be.”
“And when you’re done stewing in whatever feelings you’re feeling right now, I will be there. Just like you were there for me. This is who we are now.” Her eyes are so fierce, she pierces me with them. “This is what you do when you love somebody. And I have every intention of loving you just as thoroughly as I know you love me. You just have to let me.” Her voice cracks, and my chest shatters.
I try again. “What are you watching?” “Raccoon videos that Gwen sent me.” “Raccoons?” “Yeah. My next pet, I think. Hopefully, you’re allergic.”
“What is this?” My hands shake. “I thought maybe you’d want to be a Garrison. You, me, and Milo? So presumptuous of me. I just hate knowing you don’t like your last name. Feeling like we’re all together might be nice? I don’t know. Maybe I’m out to lunch. If you don’t want—” Rhys Garrison.
AW
