Page 148 of Play the Game

It didn’t take long for inquiries to pile in for me to offer up my photography skills either.

I’m booked for the next several months. Weddings, engagements, family photos, you name it.

Hattie and the rest of the wives forced me to sit with them at the next game too. I thought they’d want to keep their distance from me, considering everything, but they proved me wrong.

Georgia begged me to still take her wedding photos, and by the end of the first period, I had Nola cradled in her Blue Devils blanket while Vivian cheered our team on with her face pressed against the glass.

Things aren’t perfect.

But I’m happy.

“But—” Emory attempts to argue with me again about the legal fees, but I put a stop to it by leaning over the center console and planting my lips on his. My hand just so happens to fall to his lap near the place that I know will make his thoughts scatter for a second.

“Not fair,” he says against my lips. His hand falls to my ass, and he gives it a good squeeze before going back in for another hot kiss.

I moan accidentally. He breaks us apart, and his eyes flare with something wildly enticing.

“Oops,” I say.

“Get out of the car before I end up behind bars for publicly fucking my wife in broad daylight.”

There they are. My favorite words:my wife.

“Don’t look at me like that, Biscotti.” Emory smirks, and my stomach does a flip. “Or else the first time I meet your brother, I’m going to be hiding a boner.”

I make a face and glance at the prison behind him. “Probably not the best place to have one of those, huh?”

Emory chuckles. “Come on, baby. Let’s go.”

He climbs out of the car, expecting me to follow, but I don’t.

I watch as he rounds the hood to my side, and when he opens my door, he only has to take one look at my face before understanding what I’m feeling.

He squats down and reaches his hand toward mine.

One squeeze and I look at him. “You nervous?”

I clench my teeth and nod. “I just don’t like to see him like this. In here.”

Emory gives my hand another squeeze. “Do you want to leave?”

I shake my head and chew on the inside of my cheek.

His thumb starts to rub against my skin in the most comforting way. “I’m here, okay? I’m with you, and you can lean on me when things become…too much.”

My stomach is still in knots, but a few untie just from the unwavering devotion in his eye. I’m glad he’s here with me, and for the first time in my life, I’m not alone. I don’t haveto do this by myself.

Emory straightens the wedding ring on my finger and waits until I look at him again. “Come on, Biscotti.” He grins. “I’m ready to meet my brother-in-law.”

I smile hesitantly and climb out of the car. Our hands intertwine as we head toward the prison gate ashusband and wife.

Epilogue

EMORY

My backyard looksnothing like it did this morning.

Warm, glowing string lights are strung from the trees, and there’s a makeshift dance floor in the middle of the yard that I know for a fact Ford will be on in a matter of minutes.

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