Page 57 of Wife By Accident

Present-day Leo frowned at the screen. Olivia had had doubts on their wedding day? Yet they’d ended up married, so something must have changed her mind.

“We didn’t think this through,” Leo said. “This is a rash deci… decis…”

“Decision,” Olivia said. She put a hand on his arm. “Leo, we’re really drunk. Maybe we should take a step back.”

“Olivia.” The on-screen Leo met her eyes. “Like I said, this is a rash decis…”

“Decision.”

“That. But I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. I always think my choices through, and look where that got me. I’m in my thirties and completely alone. Being with you makes me feel alive. It makes me feel seen. You aren’t like anyone I’ve ever known. If you don’t want to get marred… married… I understand. I won’t push. But I’ve never wanted anything more than to be married to you. Let’s spend our lives together. Let’s figure this out.”

The on-screen Olivia nodded slowly. “Let’s figure it out,” she said. “Maybe we don’t need to know everything.”

“As long as we’re in it together,” Leo said. He smiled at her, and she smiled back at him.

“Are we doing this or not?” the bored-looking officiant asked.

“We’re doing this,” Olivia said. She took Leo’s hands. “Maybe it’s okay not to have all the answers. Maybe it’s okay just to know that something feels right.”

“Exactly,” Leo said. “I promise, you won’t regret this. Not for a second.”

Olivia smiled. “Okay. I trust you.” She looked up at the officiant. “I do.”

“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant said. At that, Leo swept Olivia into a passionate kiss, dipping her back like in the movies. They straightened up, both flushed, with Leo still holding Olivia in his arms.

“Hold on,” he said. “There’s one problem.”

“What?” Olivia asked.

“What if we forget in the morning? We are pretty drunk.”

“Oh,” Olivia bit her lip. “Uh-oh. We’d better find a way to show we belong together.”

“I have a great idea. There’s got to be a store that sells handcuffs somewhere around here…”

The video cut off as the pair of them left the wedding chapel. Leo stared at the blank screen. He couldn’t believe what he’d just seen.

He had been the driving force behind the wedding. He’d even been the one who suggested the handcuffs. This had all been his choice, because he’d seen something in Olivia. Olivia had seemed ready, excited, but it was Leo who had really wanted this. There had never been a split second that Olivia had been in this for the money — after all, she’d been the voice of reason in that video. Leo had been the hopeless romantic who had urged her to take a chance on a life together, saying she wouldn’t regret it.

Leo had messed up. He never should have distrusted Olivia. And he never should have let her walk out that door. He should have fought for her, like he had in that wedding chapel. He should have told her he loved her. He should have apologized. If she’d still wanted to walk away, he would have accepted it, but he was an idiot not to have tried.

It might well be too late now. Olivia might have moved on. She might never have felt for Leo what he felt for her. But he had to try. He couldn’t live with himself otherwise.

CHAPTER 25

OLIVIA

“Aunt Olivia!” Lily came tearing down the hallway and into the guest bedroom, where Olivia was putting the final touches on a job application. She was applying to work with Elizabeth Pierce, the amazing wildlife and nature photographer she’d met at the conference. It was remote work, a great opportunity, and something she couldn’t pass up.

Olivia might not get it, but she had to try.

“Yes, honey?” Olivia hit submit and closed the laptop. “What’s up?”

“There’s a man at the door to see you,” Lily said.

Olivia frowned. “That doesn’t seem right. Was he delivering something?”

“He just said he needed to talk to you.”