Page 70 of What About Now

“Thank you, Susan.”

She nods, and the three of us file out of her office.

“Want to grab something to eat?” I ask Briar.

“Nah, you two go ahead. I’m going home to rescue Roman. He’s off today, so he has the girls and Lilly.”

I pull my sister into a hug. “Thank you for being here. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

We ride the elevator back to the first floor and split ways. “Where to?” Maddox asks.

“Do you have work today?”

“No. I moved all of my clients.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not. There was nothing that could have kept me from being here for you today.”

“Let’s go home.”

“Are you hungry? We can stop and eat or hit a drive-thru.”

“Let’s just heat up the leftover spaghetti from last night.”

“Done.” He starts the truck and points it toward home. The one we share together.

For the first time, I allow myself to think about what happens beyond six months. Maddox loves me, and I know that I love him, but something kept me from saying it. I need a little time to process today.

Before I know it, we’re pulling into the driveway. “Looks like we got a package,” I tell Maddox, seeing the white box leaning against the front door. “Did you order something?”

“Nope. I assumed it was yours.”

Exiting the truck, we make our way onto the front porch. Maddox picks up the box and reads the label. “Little White Wedding Chapel.” He looks up at me. “Vegas address.”

Something an awful lot like fear washes over me. What if there was a mistake? What if we’re not really married? It’s at this moment, standing on my front porch, that the love I feel for my husband truly hits me.

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

Maddox

I hold the small white box in my hand as I unlock the door and push it open. I motion for Brogan to go in ahead of me, before stepping in behind her and closing the door. The box, despite its light weight, feels heavy in my hand.

I don’t know what it could be, but the thought that we’re not really married crosses my mind, and I feel sick at the thought. We move into the living room and sit on the couch.

“I wonder what it is?” Brogan asks. I can tell from her tone of voice she’s worried too.

She might not have been able to say the words earlier, but that’s okay. I feel her love with every touch, every smile, and every moment of every day. I know she’s been through hell and back, and I can wait for her to come to terms with what I already know.

My wife loves me.

“Only one way to find out,” I tell her. I offer her the small box, but she shakes her head.

“You do it.”

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