Page 53 of Marrying Off My Husband

“Uhh, The White Horse,” he answered.

I clicked my tongue. “Oh, Spencer, you should have gone somewhere with better views. This is your third date.”

“I didn’t know the third date had a scenery requirement,” he answered.

“This is the date your kiss should happen on. It’s been long enough. A stunning view of the ocean at sunset wouldn’t hurt.”

“Oh, well, I’m sure it’ll be okay. I’ll just…block her door like a creep.”

I shot him a wry glance as I shook my head at him. “Have a lovely time, darlin’.”

I kissed his cheek and headed out the door to my car.

When I stepped out of my car, marveling at the sunset reflecting off the ocean, painting the sky with a vibrant tapestry of purples and oranges, I sucked in a deep breath. Time for my performance to begin.

The hostess led me to a table with a lovely view of the water. Henry rose as I approached, a single rose in his hand. “Hi, I’m Henry, you must be Lou.”

“Well, I am, darlin’. Though are you sure you’re Henry? You don’t quite look like your picture.”

“I’m positive,” he said with a smile as we sat down at the table. “I hope the differences are to my credit.”

I smiled without answering.

He cleared his throat, glancing down at the menu.

Message received.

“So, what looks good to you?”

I flicked the menu closed with a coy smile. “My mama always taught me to order the most expensive thing on the menu so my date knows I’m worth it.”

He chuckled, but when I didn’t, his laughter slowly died off, and with a wince, he flicked his gaze down to the menu.

After we placed our orders, I leaned forward, sliding my hand across the table to find his. “Now, tell me, darlin’, have you ever thought about what you want your wedding to be like?”

He swallowed hard, staring down at my hand like it was a tentacle about to drag him into the deep sea. “Uh, not really. I always figured I’d wait until I found the right woman to think about that.”

“I see. Well, I have it all worked out already. We’ll get married in Savannah, springtime, warm but not hot. I’ll wear a princess dress with a long train and a lace veil. Now, I just know I want white roses for my bouquet, and an ice sculpture.”

“Wow, it sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this.”

“Oh, I have,” I assured him. “I really have. Now, I just need to find a man to stand at the altar.”

I made certain I sounded like I didn’t care what man it was as long as I found one.

“Well, that’s the point of all this, isn’t it?” He grinned as he waved a hand around at the restaurant.

“Well, yes, of course,” I said. “And I am just so thrilled to have found a boyfriend so quickly.”

At the b-word, his grin faltered a little. “B-boyfriend? Don’t you think we should give it a few dates?”

“Why, no, sugar. I know what I want. A husband. And I’m not about to be picky. I can mold any man into what I want after he’s got that ring on his finger. My mama has taught me well.”

“Mold them? Don’t you want to just fall in love with someone as they are? That’s really the best way, don’t you think?”

I threw my head back in obnoxious laughter, banging on the table with my free hand. “Oh, you are cute. Now, what in the world would I want to wait around to find that one person I may like just the way they are? No, darlin’, I’ll just marry the man and make what I want out of him.”

His features pinched. “But…he’ll resent you for that. Your marriage will be awful.”

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