Page 47 of Smitten with the Single Dad

Vica had been so caught up with Gabrielle’s speech that she hadn’t been watching Wyatt. But now she was, and the man looked—she didn’t really know how he looked actually. Scared? Maybe a little angry? Most definitely. But there was something else there too, which made him difficult to read.

But it was what he said next that made Vica’s heart nearly hit her feet.

“No need to come back,” he said, “Vica and I are engaged, and getting married tomorrow. She’ll be married to a US citizen before her visa expires.”

Dom’s mouth dropped open, as did Gabrielle’s, and Burke’s. It was also the perfect timing for Bennett to walk in. “What?” he said, stopping in his tracks.

But deep-voiced immigration officer wasn’t buying it. He scoffed. “Green card marriage, obviously. It won’t hold up.”

“Too fucking bad, if that’s what you think. It’ll take ages to prove it. You come back in three days and she’ll be Mrs. Ludovica Vitale-McEvoy, the legal wife of an American citizen. Try to take her away and I really will fight you.” Wyatt slid a glance Vica’s way, then addressed everyone else. “We’ve kept it a secret because yes, it is very sudden. But Vica and I have fallen in love, and I can’t imagine my life, my home, without her. I proposed this morning, and she said yes.” He moved around the kitchen until his staff—still all slack-jawed—parted like the Red Sea and he could wrap an arm around Vica. He kissed the side of her head and her whole face became one big flame.

Fischer and Jenkins didn’t seem to know what to say. The immigration officers both just seemed entirely annoyed with the fact that they’d been called over to the island and were not leaving with anybody.

Wyatt’s grip on Vica tightened and he flashed a big smile at the officers. “We’d invite you to the ceremony tomorrow, but, well, it’s just going to be family and friends. And also, we don’t like you.”

Radcliffe snorted.

Gabrielle turned to the officers, having barely recovered from Wyatt’s declaration. “You heard him, gentlemen. I will see you out. The happy couple have a wedding to plan.” She started shooing them with her hands like a mother mightdo to children, and even though the reluctance—and confusion—was painted all over the men’s faces, they obliged and left the kitchen. Gabrielle and Dom followed them.

“I’m going to see them to the end of the laneway,” Dom said.

“Me too,” Bennett piped up. He turned back to Wyatt. “We’re gonna talk about this though.”

Wyatt turned to Vica, taking her hands. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t think of anything else to do. We can get it annulled once we secure you a new visa. I’ve been researching how to get quick visas and a green card by marrying a citizen seemed to be the fastest and most legitimate way.” His smile was lopsided, and so utterly kissable, Vica had to bite her own lip to stop herself from lunging forward and capturing his. “I’m sorry I blindsided you.”

She needed to say something. She’d been standing there, staring at his mouth, her eyes wide as her heart pounded against her sternum. “I …” Her head shook. “I can not … I can not ask you to do this.”

“It’s okay.” He squeezed her hands in his and dear god, did it ever feel good. “I don’t see any other way to protect you. And also, this way—as your husband—I won’t be made to testify against you in court if it comes to that. Iwasthe first person you saw, and even though I totally believe you about what happened, you know how lawyers can get and how desperate Wyndham Croft seems to be. I wouldn’t put it past them to put me on the stand.”

She was still shaking her head.

“We just need to buy some time until Gabrielle figures things out and we can get you a proper visa, and your name cleared.”

Everyone in the kitchen had somewhat gone back to work, but it was obvious they were keeping one ear tuned into what was going on between Wyatt and Vica.

“Let me help you, Vica.” The sincerity and pleading in his eyes wasn’t even what broke her resolve, it was the way his thumbs gently slid back and forth over the tops of her hands. She wasn’t even sure he was aware he was doing it, but itfelt so good, so reassuring, so … right.

Finally, she nodded, unable to shake her head anymore because a stupid, hopeful part of her was excited. Her tomboy childhood self would be ridiculing her terribly right now for being giddy over a sham of a marriage to a man as good and wholesome as Wyatt. But she didn’t care. This man wanted to help her, he wanted to protect her. He cared. And it’d been a long time since she’d let anybody in long enough for them to care about her. It felt really nice. “Okay,” she whispered.

His smile outshone every lightbulb in the kitchen. “Really?”

She nodded again. “Yeah.”

“Awesome.”

“But just until we figure things out,” she said quickly.

Was that a frown?

No, she had to be seeing things.

“Of course, of course. Totally. We’ll get it annulled as soon as your name is cleared and you have a new job lined up. In the meantime, you’re more than welcome to continue working here, you’re doing a great job and Rico will be out for a while with that broken leg. So we could use the help.”

“Are you offering me a job and a marriage?”

His smile made her belly do a flip. “I guess I am.”

“I accept both.”

---