Page 143 of The Reason I Married Him
“Aubree, think I can chat for a second?”
“Of course,” Aubree says as she stands and walks over to the side, in the dark where I can barely see them.
I watch as Echo says something to her, and Aubree nods. They glance in my direction and then turn their backs away from me.
What the hell is going on over there?
It almost looks like they’re in cahoots, but I have no idea over what.
After a minute or so, they hug each other, and Echo takes off, leaving Aubree to join me once again in front of the fire. “Uh, care to share what that was about?” I ask.
“She was just saying how happy she is for us.”
“Uh-huh, and why couldn’t she have said that in front of me?”
Aubree glances over her shoulder at me. “She wanted to make sure you weren’t threatening me to marry you.”
“Did she really?” I ask.
“No.” Aubree laughs. “Just saying she’s happy for me and then asked me a work question. No biggie.”
“Okay, because if you told her about us, you could tell me, you know. You don’t have to hide it. My best friend knows about you and me.”
Aubree pauses as she’s poking the fire. “Who is your best friend?”
“Her name is Laurel. I met up with her this week. She helped me pick out the ring.”
“Wait, she’s your friend who is a lesbian, right? Not that her sexual preference defines her, but that was why you couldn’t marry her?”
“Correct,” I say. “So if you need someone to tell, that’s okay, Aubree. Better that I know, though, so I can manage who knows about us and who doesn’t.”
She sighs and leans back in her chair. “Yes, she knows. I told her a few days ago because I was struggling with it all and needed someone to talk to. I figured she would be best since she’s removed from the situation.”
“I can understand that. Was she checking on you just now?”
“She was. Wanted to make sure I was good with how everything went down. I told her I could have done without the public display, but I was fine with the proposal and moving forward on everything.”
“The public display was to solidify our standing in the community when Wallace finds out. Trust me, he’s going to ask questions. There is no way he’ll be okay with this. He’ll try to prove it wrong any chance he gets.”
“Seems like he’s really fun,” Aubree says, full of sarcasm. “When are you going to tell him?”
“Well, when are we getting married?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I don’t know. When do you want to get married?”
“I was thinking next week.”
Her brows shoot up. “That eager, huh?”
“I’ve been saving myself for marriage,” I say in a teasing tone. “I’m ready to consummate.”
“In your dreams, Preston.” She fully turns toward me now and folds her legs under her bottom. “When is Wallace getting married?”
“A few months. I don’t remember exactly, but we have a little time. I’d rather not wait, just in case he decides to elope before us. So the sooner, the better. Once we’re married, I’ll tell him.”
“Think he’s going to be mad?”
“Livid,” I say. “There’s no way he doesn’t call bullshit on it, but I can handle that side of things. I just need you to pretend to love me.”
