Page 70 of The Reason I Married Him
“It’s not a real marriage.”
“Technically, it is very real. Legal and all, but how we treat the marriage is up to us. All I ask is that we’re not embarrassing each other by, you know . . . running around on each other. This will require you to be exclusive to me.”
“Trust me, if I marry you, there’s no way I could balance a side piece with everything else on my plate.”
“Good to know.” I lean in and say, “And you have my full discretion as well. I’ll be as loyal as they come. I could even make a shirt that says Team Aubree if you want.”
“Why would you do that?” she asks with a skeptical look.
“To show my loyalty.”
She groans. “Will you be this annoying if we get married?”
“Can’t be sure. Still trying to figure out everything that annoys you about me.”
She motions her hand in front of me. “All of it.”
“But are you annoyed . . . or are you possibly a touch intrigued and masking it with annoyance because you have too much pride that I might actually tickle your fancy?”
In the most deadpan tone I’ve ever heard, she says, “Annoyed.”
“Well, we have time to change that.” I smile brightly, and I’m met with her scowl, which, to be honest, I’ve sort of grown fond of.
I like the way her nose turns up.
The crinkle between her eyes.
The purse of her lips.
You know . . . the look might be better than her smile.
I nudge her with my foot again. “What do you say, Aubree?” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Your hand . . . for my land?”
She eyes me.
Her mind races.
Her breath picks up as she thinks.
It might . . . by God, it might become a reality.
This idea.
This planning.
This constant following her around and calling her my wife.
That look? She’s leaning in my direction.
I can see it clear as day.
She’s going to say yes.
After a few more silent moments, she looks away and mutters, “I don’t want you living with me.”
“What’s that?” I lean my ear toward her.
“I said, I don’t want you living with me . . . if we do this.”
