Page 91 of The Fiance Dilemma

“I voted yes,” Matthew said. “On Page Nine’s poll.”

I frowned at him. I’d seen the polls on Page Nine’s socials, as much as I tried not to look. It was becoming harder to ignore, the closer we got to December first. It was also difficult not to cave and allow what was being said to hold sway over me.

“I’m not trying to turn this around so we talk about us,” Matthew said. “It’s not the time, not right now, here in this truck. Not when your head is somewhere else. But I only voted on one of them, and I did with a yes. You will walk down that aisle, Josie. Not because you have to, or because you might want to, but because you can. That’s also why you can walk across that driveway, hug Adalyn, and not ruin anything.” His jaw set. “You can do anything. Understand?”

An overpowering, consuming wave of… emotion crashed into me.

I wanted to kiss Matthew. Now. So badly. I wanted to climb onto his lap and show him what his words, his faith in me, did to me. I didn’t think I’d ever wanted to kiss him more than I did right this second.

There was a glint in his eye that told me he could see that in me, what I felt. There was a hardness in his face that also told me he was trying to stop himself from doing the same. Or from letting me. He deserved that, I decided. He deserved to have control over that kiss. Just like he’d asked with that new rule.

I kiss you.

I could give him that much.

I could give him things.

“No one’s ever walked me down an aisle,” I heard myself say. Because it was the least I could do. I wouldn’t kiss him, but I could give him this. Something no one else had. “The other poll was about that.”

He gave his head a nod, encouraging me.

“It was supposed to be Mom,” I said.“You and me against the worldkind of thing.” Something clogged my windpipe, making it hard for me to continue speaking for an instant. “It was silly, I guess. And I always wondered if Grandpa Moe ever thought I didn’t want him to walk me down. But I never dared ask him.”

Matthew went still, so very still, then he reached out across the console. A palm wrapped around the side of my face. His thumb swiped across my cheek, and there was a desperation in his touch, one I understood—felt—deep within me. I’d never told that to anyone, as much as most must have assumed.

“I don’t know—” I stumbled, continued, more truths coming out. “I don’t know if that’s why I couldn’t do it. I don’t know if that’s why I tried so many times. I can’t seem to get anything right. Does that make me a fool?”

Matthew leaned forward, his scent curling around me withthe air as he moved inside the car. I closed my eyes. His forehead pressed against mine. “Nah, Blue. It makes you the strongest woman I’ve ever met.”

Blue.That was beautiful. It wasn’t a kiss, but I liked how it hung in the space between our mouths. Touched my lips.

“Do you think you could get married, Matthew?” The words left me in a whisper. “Do you think our backwards can be straightened out?”

His whole body shuddered for an instant, right before he lifted his head. Brown eyes met mine when my eyelids fluttered open. My belly dropped. “We really are motherfucking backward, huh?” We really were. But before I could say as much, he was touching my forehead to his again. Just briefly this time, nothing more than a caress. He returned to his seat. “How about we get you a maid of honor first? Then we take it a day at a time.”

A day at a time. There were fourteen of them left.

“Do you think she’ll hate me?” I asked him.For lying.“For asking so late?”

There wasn’t any hesitation in his words. “Not a chance in hell.” He nodded his head at the sleeping, furry ball in the back seat. “Remember, we have Pedro. No one could ever be mad at someone holding a pig that tiny. Not even Cam.”

I chuckled, even if a little strained. I knew what he was doing. Again. Distracting me. I didn’t deserve a man like him. “Okay. You hold Pedro, though. I think I might throw myself at her when I see her, and I don’t want him to get hurt.”

“You got it,” he said with a nod.

And in a matter of seconds, we’d exited my truck and were crossing the driveway to Adalyn and Cam’s porch, with Pedro Pigscal in Matthew’s arms.

I released a big gulp of air, squared my shoulders, and rang the doorbell. Matthew winked at me when I glanced quickly at him. Itreassured me, but I still passed the sweaty palms of my hands down my denim skirt.

The door opened.

I held my breath.

Cameron’s large frame filled up the space. There was a small pout framed by all that trimmed facial hair. “About fucking time,” he murmured. He met my gaze. A smile broke through. Small, but it was there. “Saw you park ages ago. I’d hoped you weren’t making out in my driveway, honestly.”

“We really weren’t,” I said, voice soft. Too soft.

Cam let out a long sigh. “I know, darling,” he admitted. “I know.” Green eyes bounced to my side. He eyed Matthew up and down. “What in the bloody hell is that?”

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