Page 70 of Broken Hearts

“No, we didn’t. I just expected a little more from my son,” Jeremiah adds gruffly, sitting on the chair across the sofa.

My heart sinks; of all things, I don’t want to create another rift between them.

“No, sir, please. Cole is not to blame for this. It was a mutual decision.”

Cole looks at me with so much awe and love that my stomach dips. Am I truly the first person to go to war for him?

Jade gives me a knowing smile, her eyes glinting with amusement and appreciation. “That’s very gracious of you, but we know our son. He can be quite the steamroller when he sets his mind on something.”

I can’t help but chuckle, the tension in the room dissipating. Jeremiah’s stern face softens for a moment, and I catch a glimpse of fatherly affection I suspect he usually keeps well hidden.

Cole, who had been quiet until now, speaks up, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. “I know I can be impulsive, but marrying Eva wasn’t a whim. It’s something I’ve thought about more times than I can count.”

His admission catches me off guard, and I turn to look at him, my heart skipping a beat. There’s sincerity in his eyes, a depth of emotion that speaks louder than words.

Jade leans closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “We’ve seen the way he looks at you. It’s the same way Jeremiah used to look at me when we were your age. You can’t fake that kind of love.”

Jeremiah clears his throat, a subtle reminder that he’s still in the room. “Yes, well, regardless of how we feel about the… hastiness of this marriage, we’re here to support you both.”

Jade nods enthusiastically, and I’m sure Jeremiah’s words are hers. “Absolutely! And we’d love to help with anything you need. Planning a proper celebration, for instance.”

The word “celebration” hangs in the air, and I feel a bit of excitement mixed with apprehension. The idea of celebrating this unplanned, unconventional wedding is both daunting and strangely appealing, and I’m not even sure we will make it, but how can I dim Jade’s enthusiasm?

Cole comes to stand behind me and squeezes my shoulders, his thumb tracing small circles on my skin. “We haven’t really thought that far ahead,” he says, his gaze meeting mine as I look at him. “We’re taking things one step at a time.”

“Oh, now you’re taking it one step at a time?” Jeremiah says, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.”

“Dad,” Cole sighs.

“She doesn’t even have a ring.” His father points to my finger.

“There’s a ring. It’s in a velvet box in my bedroom.”

I look around sharply, not expecting this. He has a ring?

He looks down at me with a small smile. “We’ll discuss this later, okay?”

I nod silently. I hadn’t thought about a wedding ring in the middle of the chaos of our impromptu marriage. The reality of it all begins to sink in a little deeper.

“She’ll wear it when she’s ready.”

Jade, the peacemaker, interjects with a gentle smile. “There’s no rush. These things take time. And when you’re ready, I’d love to hear all about how you envision your dream wedding.”

Her words are like a balm, soothing the flurry of emotions inside me. The idea of planning a dream wedding, something I had thought about in quiet moments when I was in high school, suddenly seems like a possibility.

His grip on my shoulders tightens ever so slightly, grounding me. “Thanks, Mom,” he says, giving her a grateful look. “We appreciate your support.”

Jeremiah nods, a hint of resignation in his posture. “Well, just know that we’re here for you both. Whatever you decide.”

As the conversation shifts to lighter topics, I find myself relaxing a little more. The Westbrooks, with their contrasting personalities, create a unique dynamic that’s both endearing and intriguing. Jeremiah’s stern demeanor is balanced by Jade’s vivaciousness, and it’s clear they both have Cole’s best interests at heart.

Eventually, it’s time for us to leave. Jade gives me a warm hug, whispering, “Take care of each other,” as she releases me.

Stepping out of the suite, I relax further. I am not sure if this marriage will last, but knowing that his parents are on our side helps.

As we walk through the hotel lobby, I glance at him. “So, about that ring…” I begin, curiosity getting the better of me.

He looks down at me, a soft smile on his lips. “I wanted to wait for the right moment to give it to you. I guess I jumped the gun on a lot of things, but not on this.”

---