Page 6 of A Bride for the Bodyguard

“He sort of what?”

I groan. “He asked me to marry him. And then offered me a million dollars to say yes!”

There’s a pause, and then Melanie bursts into laughter. “Well, is he cute, at least?”

My cheeks burn at the thought of Jack’s bulging biceps. “Yes, he’s…annoyingly handsome. But that’s beside the point.”

Melanie squeals. “Girl, if he’s cute and rich and proposing, what are you waiting for? Say yes!”

“Melanie!” I exclaim, though her carefree attitude is starting to make the situation seem less insane. “I can’t just say yes. It’s way more complicated than that.”

“Isn’t everything?”

She’s always been the one to take life as it comes, ready to ride whatever wave crashes her way. Meanwhile, I calculate each move, afraid of falling into the deep end.

“I can’t just up and marry a stranger!” The words tumble out of me in a rush. “What about our family? What will they think? Dean and Daphne...and what about Mom and Dad?”

“They’ll get over it, Marlie. Believe me.”

“Even still. I can’t just marry a guy I met five minutes ago. It’s crazy.”

“Crazy is just another word for opportunity,” Melanie replies. “I mean, look at me and Jake. He literally broke my car and stole my heart on the same day.”

I halt mid-pace, laughing despite myself. “Yeah, but that’s Fit Mountain. Stuff like that doesn’t happen here in the real world.”

“Real world or not, you’re considering it, aren’t you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be talking to me about it.” Melanie’s voice softens, and I can almost see her knowing smile through the phone.

Sighing, I sink onto the couch. “Considering is a strong word.”

“Marlie Watts, don’t you dare undersell yourself. You’re smart and ambitious, and if Jack is as hot as you say, it might not be the worst thing to play house with him for a while. When life throws a curveball, sometimes you gotta swing.”

I shake my head, smiling ruefully. “Only you would turn a disaster into a sports metaphor.”

But deep down, there’s a flutter of excitement, a tiny spark that wonders if Melanie has a point.

“Anyway, I gotta run. Jake’s taking me out tonight. But sis, seriously, think about it. What do you have to lose?”

“Only my sanity,” I reply dryly.

Melanie laughs. “Promise me you’ll at least sleep on it?”

“Promise,” I reply, and we both know it’s a promise I’ll keep.

“Good. Now, I’ve got to go. Love you, twin.”

“Love you too. Talk soon.” The line goes dead, and I’m left alone with my thoughts.

After hanging up, I curl up on my bed, hugging a pillow to my chest. I close my eyes, trying to envision what life would be like if I said yes—if I actually married Jack Barton.

And then there’s my dream—my very own macaron shop. Not just a cart this time, but a real storefront with pastel colors and delicate aromas wafting onto the street, tempting passersby. It’s been the beacon of hope I’ve clung to through every double shift and late-night baking frenzy.

I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling fan circling lazily above.

Melanie would dive headfirst into this madness without a second thought. She thrives on spontaneity, while I thrive on order, on plans. Yet here I am, considering a proposal that’s anything but planned.

A marriage of convenience with a man I barely know seems insane. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that maybe a touch of Melanie’s fearlessness is exactly what I need to embrace.

I reach down and grab my phone. My thumb hovers over the screen, the message already typed out.

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