Page 65 of Icing the Enemy

oakley

“I’d like that.”

Corbin uses his powerful arm to move my back against his chest. His head rests just above the crown of mine, and I inhale every time he exhales. Somehow I need to tell Corbin how I feel and that I don’t want my dad’s money. One day, he’ll wish he knew me because in my personal opinion, I’m pretty awesome. But tonight, I’ll absorb Corbin’s body into mine and revel in my ping-pong victory.

“Corbin?”

“Hmm.”

“Thanks for today. I thought you hated me.”

He kisses my shoulder and sighs. “Far from it, Oakley. Far from it.”

My stomach feels like it’s doing Olympic gymnastics moves. It’s flipping and twisting, hearing Corbin’s words.

I wonder if he might want something more than our marriage of convenience. The mere thought sends my pulse racing. But what if his attentiveness, the kisses, the hand holding was all for show? Because he hasn’t told me any differently. I thought I was a badass and could do this fake relationship thing,but I can’t. I’m wired to love people and take care of people, just like Corbin. In the end, we’re not as opposite as I thought, at our core.

Talk to him. Now is your chance.

And just when I work up the nerve, he lets out a soft snore. Instead of waking him, I replay the day's events in my head—every time he holds my hand or my back. Standing up for me with my dad. The toast he made. His family and our friends. All of it.

When I wake up, he’s gone and so is Dixie. Commotion comes from downstairs, and I remember his family is here. After putting on a bra, running shorts, and a tank top, I go downstairs and sure enough, the whole clan is here, even the ones who stayed at Becca’s.

I was hoping to talk to him about us this morning but what’s another day. At least when they’re here, he talks to me. He and Becca are in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. Becca lays her head on his arm, and he says, “Did he sign the papers?”

“Yeah, they were waiting on me at the house when we got home last night,” she says with sadness lacing every word. “Mamaw always said he wasn’t my one true love. But I did love him. I just didn’t stay in love.”

I pad over to the island and sit on one of the stools. "There has never been a sadness that can’t be cured by breakfast food."

Corbin’s head snaps in my direction, laughing. “Do you know every quote from every movie or show?”

“Do you know what show that quote is from?” I ask, raising my brows in quick succession.

“It’s eitherSeinfeldorParks & Rec.”

Becca chuckles. “Definitely a quote fromParks and & Rec. I loved that show. I used to watch the reruns all the time in college.” She pauses and softly puts her hand on mine. “And thanks for listening yesterday. I hope you can forgive me fortaking out my troubles on you and Corbin. I wasn’t in a good head space.”

“Are you better now that he signed the papers?” Corbin asks.

She straightens her tiny cheerleader body to full height. “You know, I am. It feels good to know where I stand. Not having to worry about what was going to happen. Now I can move on.”

Becca doesn’t realize she holds the key to what Corbin and I should do… talk.

After a breakfast of biscuits and gravy for everyone but Corbin, who’s drinking a protein shake, we take his family to the animal shelter.

When we get there, I say in realization, “This is the shelter where my mom and I picked out Dixie?”

The expression on his face is priceless—wearing his emotions in his eyes. “She’s from here?”

Nodding, I say, “Positive.”

Like I said, I don’t believe in coincidences, I believe in fate.

“That’s why she took to me instantly. Dixie was dropped off by a breeder saying she didn’t have time to bottle feed her, that she wouldn’t latch on to her mother. I bottle fed her every afternoon for four weeks after practice. I just called her ‘My Girl.’” His eyes seem to glaze over like he’s recalling his time with her as a pup. “That was a long time ago, but I’m sure it was Dixie. I’ll look through my photos when I get home.”

I throw my hands up. “Well, at least there’s a reason for her loving you so much. I have to admit I was jealous the day after our wedding when she stayed with you instead of going with me.”

He gives me a faint grin,

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