Page 4 of Suddenly Single

“I don’t believe you.” Carter salted his eggs, then poured maple syrup on his waffles. “Tell me the truth. If we had to do it all over again, would you still marry me?”

I blinked, suddenly hyper-aware that if I said the wrong thing, I would be outnumbered by Carter and my insane family.

“Well, come on, answer the question.” Carter sighed. “Would you still marry me?”

Chapter 2

Asher

Fuck me.

If I spoke the truth, Carter would be pissed. If I lied, he’d see through it in a split second.

“Go on, answer him.” Florida squinted her eyes. I glanced over at Granny, and she had a strange expression on her face, like she wanted me to say the wrong thing. My family lived for drama, and usually I could bluff my way out of stuff. I wasn’t so sure this time. Mom cleared her throat and placed her napkin next to her plate.

“No.”

Everyone gasped.

“But it isn’t for the reasons you think, Carter.” I jabbered, my brain spinning to find the right words.

“Really?” Carter pushed his plate to the side and stared daggers at me.

“Yes. You see, I love you very, very much. We don’t need a fancy wedding to prove my love for you to the world.” I stood and walked around the table until I was right behind him. I began massaging his shoulders, and Carter slapped my left hand.

“That’s all fine and good, but what about my needs?” Carter gestured toward Mom and Granny. “And what about the needs of your family? They all want a wedding, to see the most important day of our lives for themselves.”

“You asked me a question, and I spoke the truth.” I walked to the other side of the room and leaned against the wall so I could see Carter’s expression. His normally tan skin was beet red, and he began drumming his fingers on the table. “I’m not lying when I say I love you more than anything else on this planet, Carter. I just don’t feel like marriage is necessary, that’s all.”

“Darling, it would make me and Mother so happy to see the two of you walk down the aisle together.” Mom said, then drained her alleged tomato juice. “Your father, God rest his soul, would have wanted to see you married too. Florida, would you mind?” Mom pointed at her empty glass. “Make it with the special sauce in the pantry, dear.”

I rolled my eyes as Florida took the glass and raced to the kitchen. The special sauce was code for vodka.

“Why do I get the feeling you regret marrying me in the first place?” Carter steepled his fingers under his chin, his eyes as wide as tennis balls. At least he didn’t resemble a ripe tomato now.

“Sweetheart, when I made those vows on Palmyra Peak, I meant every word. I love you more now than I did then, and I want you by my side for all eternity.” I met Carter’s gaze, which softened for a split second before turning flinty again.

Florida walked in and placed a glass of tomato juice next to Mom’s hand. It was suspiciously pink, meaning it had an extra shot or three of vodka. How Mom made it to the office every day was a mystery. Thankfully, she rarely drove herself. She took a sip, and a slow smile spread across her cheeks. “Thank you, Florida. Asher, would you mind giving me a lift to work, dear?”

“Of course I will.” I sighed. If I hadn’t, Florida would be pressed into driving duty.

“Back to me, please.” Carter said, and I felt sweat dripping down my sides. Mom and I had a meeting in less than an hour with Judge Gottwald about a civil suit he was recusing himself from. At this rate, I wouldn’t have time to look over my notes. Wait a minute. Didn’t Mom and the judge date back in high school?

“Oh, Mom, you want to see the judge because… that’s why you’re coming with me to the courthouse.” It occurred to me that she and the Judge were both widowed, and around the same age. She winked at me, then turned to Carter.

“Darling, Asher has agreed to the wedding. Unfortunately, we have a meeting with Judge Gottwald in a matter of minutes.” Mom slugged the rest of her drink back, and I felt in my pockets to make sure I had mints handy. She was going to need them. “Lucky for us, you’re the most talented interior designer in Virginia, and I’m sure you know the best wedding planners. Why don’t you start working on the service and the reception. Oh, and let Mother help. She loves throwing parties.” She nodded at Granny, whose eyes lit up.

I pushed myself off the wall and sat next to Carter. “Honey, I’ll do whatever you want. Start planning the service, just, you know, keep the costs reasonable.”

Carter’s gaze focused somewhere over my shoulder, not meeting my gaze. “Whatever you say, Asher.”

“That went well, dear.” Mom smiled and opened the door to my silver Jaguar. “In fact, Thom said he wanted to discuss the case over dinner.” She sat and buckled the seat belt.

“Both of us?” I was confused. Mom had done most of the talking with Judge Gottwald, and I’d already decided to just let her handle the case.

“Of course not, Asher.” Mom pulled a tube of hot-pink lipstick out of her purse, then adjusted my rear-view mirror to apply it. “Thom sent me a text message as soon as we left his office. I checked my phone in the ladies’ room. We’re meeting at Lemaire this Saturday for dinner.” She opened her purse and dropped the lipstick inside while I repositioned the mirror. “Your father died five years ago, and I want to relaunch myself socially.”

“It’s about damn time.” I grinned at Mom, and she reached over and ruffled my hair. My mother was certifiable, but she had mourned long enough. “Maybe we can have a double wedding.”

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