Page 5 of What About Now

“You were with us,” I answer.

“We were until Maggie started feeling sick. I took her back to her room and stayed with her to make sure she didn’t need anything. We left the two of you at the casino. Mad was up ten grand when we left.”

Maddox looks over at me and shrugs. “It’s all a bit fuzzy,” he confesses.

My mouth is still like cotton. I reach for the glass of water in front of me and hear a gasp.

“Aunt Brogan, you have a ring like Mommy. Did Forty give you a ring too?” Rayne asks.

I close my eyes, waiting for the floor to open up and swallow me. It’s not until Maddox bails me out that I open them again to find everyone watching us.

“We got married last night,” Maddox says as if his words are not life-changing.

The girls gasp, which makes Lilly do the same, mimicking them.

“You’re married?” the twins ask at the same time.

“We are. That means, in the eyes of the law, I’m your uncle now.”

River tilts her head to the side. “I thought you were already my uncle?”

“I was, but this just makes it official. Just like Forty when he married your mom. That makes it all official,” Maddox tries to explain as I elbow him in the ribs. He turns to give me his full attention.

“What are you doing?”

“Explaining to our nieces.”

“This is not real,” I whisper hiss.

He leans close, his lips next to my ear, his words only for me. “Maybe it should be.”

“Brogan?” Briar says my name, and there is so much she’s saying with just her tone of voice.

Slowly, I turn to face my sister. “Briar.”

Her eyes are shimmering with tears. “You’re married.” Her smile could light up Vegas.

“We were under the influence, and we’re going to take care of it first thing tomorrow.”

“Or not,” Maddox says. This time, he doesn’t lower his voice, and lets everyone at the table hear him.

“Maddox.” I sigh. If he only knew what his words did to my heart. If he only knew that I’ve wanted him for so long, and knowing that he’s mine, even temporarily, that I have to give him up, well, that’s just pure torture. But I know how this ends. Maddox doesn’t date. He’s not a playboy, but I’ve never heard him say a single word about settling down. Unlike Forrest, who was all-in the day he laid eyes on my sister and my nieces.

His hand slides beneath the table and lands on my thigh. “We’ll talk. Let’s just enjoy breakfast.”

I nod, because what else am I supposed to do? I’m married to the man I’ve wanted for months, and it kinda feels like he wants us to stay that way. We settle in for breakfast. I waver on the cinnamon rolls, and a fruit bowl, and decide to be good and get the bowl.

“I’ll have the big breakfast platter, and add a cinnamon roll for my wife,” Maddox tells our waiter.

I turn to look at him. “How did you know I was thinking about getting the cinnamon roll?” I ask him.

He leans in and presses his lips to my temple. “It’s my job to know my wife.” He flashes me a grin. “I saw you wavering, and I know you love them.” He shrugs as if it’s that simple.

“Maddox.” I sigh again.

“We’re enjoying breakfast. We’ll talk when we get back to our room.”

Our room.

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