Page 27 of Perfectly Wedded

“My wife’s health is good,” I blurt out.

“I didn’t address the question to you, Mr. MacPherson,” the reporter says. “It’s for your wife.”

“When it comes to my wife, she is my business,” I shoot back.

Sloan’s hand finds mine under the table. “It’s okay. I can answer.”

She swallows, then turns back to the reporter. “My health is good, though not totally back to normal. We have some other options to try, but I have full confidence that I’ll return to a normal life. If there’s any question about my ability, I’ve gone back to work and resumed coaching skaters. As far as our decision to marry...” She pauses, then glances at me nervously, before turning back. “There was never any question. I’ve always wanted to spend my life with Vale.”

Her answer is like a shot of adrenaline flooding my system, giving me a sliver of hope that we can convince everyone this marriage is real. I know her answer was just for show, but she said it with such conviction, even I almost believed it.

“One more question,” Lauren says from the back of the room. “And then Vale needs to head to practice.”

A reporter fromThe Charleston Timesstands in the front. “Are you taking a honeymoon? And if so, where?”

I shake my head. “No plans for a honeymoon yet. Even if we were, I wouldn’t announce it. I don’t want any of you showing up to ruin our fun.”

The reporters chuckle as Sloan and I leave the room. As soon as we’re in the hall, Sloan breathes a sigh of relief.

Lauren hurries down the hall to find us, her face beaming. “Good idea to leave them laughing at the end.”

“You’ve trained me well,” I say. “But seriously, I don’t want those clowns crashing my honeymoon.”

Sloan’s eyes catch mine, and my heart leaps. No matter how much I’d love to have her all to myself on a secluded beach, I know she’d never agree to it.

“I need to head to practice,” I tell Sloan, trying to erase that honeymoon image from my mind. “Will you be okay until I get home?”

Sloan nods, but I sense this media thing shook her up. “I think I’ll stop in and see Jaz before I go.”

“I’m headed that way. We could go together,” Lauren offers before they head down the hallway.

Brendan approaches me as the journalists file out of the room. With his dark hair and tattooed arms, he’s an intimidating figure—exactly the reason he was hired as our conditioning coach

“Good job in there. Even Sloan was a natural. How’s the team taking the news about your Vegas wedding?”

“I’m about to find out,” I say. “Judging by the reaction of the people I live with, it won’t go well.”

“Even Jaz and Brax?”

“Well...” I hesitate, trying to figure out how much to say.

Brendan leans against the wall, folding his arms. “Let me guess, they’re happy, but equally ticked at you for not telling them.”

“You know my brother and sister-in-law well.”

He chuckles. “Jaz hates not knowing things first. Especially since she’s the team’s Mother Hen. But I don’t blame you for not telling them. You didn’t want them talking you out of it.”

“Exactly.” I nod. There was too much at stake.

Brendan looks down the hall to make sure no one canoverhear us. “Some decisions are yours alone to make, no matter the reason.”

That sounds strangely accurate, probably because no one ever tells Brendan what to do. “Thanks for understanding.”

“Anytime,” he says. “I just hope I get the same ending someday.”

“You mean eloping so the press will hound you for details?”

“Nah, I’ll save that one for you,” he jokes, before his face shifts slightly. “I hope the reason you did it is worth it though.”

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