Page 33 of The Love Chase

“I’ll see you in a few days then. At the altar?”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, hesitantly meeting my eyes.

“Right. The altar.”

With a pat to Luna’s head in farewell, I stepped outside, and Emma closed the door behind me. I swear I heard her mutter, “Can’t wait.”

Emma

Iwaited on the couch until Jameson came home for the night, the contract that would seal my fate printed out and sitting on the coffee table in front of me. My heart was a drum in my chest as the garage door opened and closed before my brother appeared in the doorway.

“Hey,” he said. “You’re still up?” He rubbed a hand over his tired face. He must have come from Elsie’s place.

It was well past midnight, but I wasn’t tired. Not when I was anticipating how this conversation with Jameson would go. He’d either tell me I was absolutely nuts—which was fair—or he’d have the same response Maya did—that he’d support me no matter what.

My tongue felt heavy, and I gave a nod. My silent response must have tipped him off because he removed his shoes and crossed the room, plopping down next to me.

“What’s up, Em?”

Once again, my tongue froze up in my mouth and I couldn’t speak. I settled for pointing at the contract on the table in front of us.

Jameson grabbed it. “What’s this?”

I waited as his eyes scanned the page, bracing for the freak out.

He muttered under his breath as he read before he suddenly exclaimed, “Marriage between Liam Walker and Emma Beck?”

Jameson’s eyes were nearly bugging out of his head, and I bit the inside of my cheek to hold back a laugh.

“Um, is this a joke, Em?”

I snorted. “I wish it was.”

“Please explain before I pass out from shock.”

Well, he wasn’t yelling, so I figured that was a good sign. Not that Jameson was the yelling type, but I’d really had no idea how he’d react.

I went through the same spiel I gave to Maya about Liam’s situation, Bridget’s sneaky scheme, and the money. When I was finished, Jameson just kept blinking at the contract in his hands.

“So, are you going to do it? Are you going to marry Liam?”

I closed my eyes, somehow finding it easier to get the words out that way. “I am.”

Jameson blew out a long breath. “And you’re sure about this?”

“Not really,” I replied honestly. “But I know that if the situation was reversed, Liam would do it for me.” Or at least I hope he would. “And if I can help him by doing this, then I’m going to do it. Besides, if his manager is going to force him into a farce like this, I’d rather it be with me, someone who genuinely cares about him, than some random person.”

Jameson pulled me into his side. “If this is what you want to do, then I’ll support you, Em. You’ve known each other your whole lives, and whether you both want to admit it or not, there are feelings there between you two. Maybe this will end up being a really good thing. Liam is a good man. Even if I don’t particularly like the idea of you entering a ‘fake’ marriage, I know Liam will take care of you. California Liam’s reputation might be questionable, but Meridel Liam always looked out for you.”

He planted a kiss on my head. “I know this likely isn’t what you imagined for your future, but I’m proud of you regardless.”

“Thanks, Jam-Jam.” The words cracked as they came out.

“Dad would be too.”

Those four words stole the air from my lungs. “I wish he was here.”

“Me too, Em. Me too.”

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