Page 8 of What About Now

She shakes her head, but she’s unable to hide the corner of her mouth that’s tilted up as she tries to fight her smile. “You’re something else, Maddox Lanigan.”

“Right back at you, Mrs. Lanigan.” She sucks in a shocked breath, and I bite my cheek to keep from laughing. Instead, I lean in and kiss the corner of her mouth. “Go get packed, wife. We’re going to miss our flight.”

She opens her mouth to speak but snaps it closed, gives a slight shake of her head, and moves around me to start packing up her things. I take a trip around the room, making sure neither one of us left anything. That includes our marriage certificate. I store that safely in my carry-on suitcase. I make a mental note to frame it or maybe put it in a scrapbook or something when I get home. I’ll have to ask Emerson what she suggests. She and Roman have been married the longest in our group.

Fifteen minutes later, I have both of our suitcases in hand as we roll into the lobby to meet everyone. We take the shuttle to the airport, and I make sure to sit next to her, keeping my hand on her thigh. On the flight home, she sits next to Maggie. I almost ask Maggie to switch with me but think better of it. She might need to talk to someone, although it’s really quiet two rows up where they’re sitting.

“So, you’re a married man now, huh?” Lachlan asks.

“Yep.”

“How long do you think it will take to get it annulled?”

“We’re not getting an annulment.” I turn to glare at my best friend to find him grinning like a fool.

“I’m just fucking with you. I heard you loud and clear at breakfast this morning. You really want to stay married?”

“To Brogan? Yes.” Lachlan doesn’t mask the shock on his face. I exhale and rest my head back against the seat. “I’ve had a thing for her for a while now.”

“Yeah, I got that, but married? You’re not even dating.”

“Because I was too damn worried about fucking it up to make a move. Drunk me had more balls than sober me, and this is my chance, Lach.”

“So, did she agree?”

“Not yet, but she will.”

“What can I do?”

“Nothing. This is all on me. I have to show her that being married to me is what she wants.”

“Is it? I mean, do you think that’s what she wants?”

“I think that she’s scared. I think that their past has made her feel as though she’s not worthy, and fuck me, but I want to be the man to show her that she is.”

“I’ll talk you up,” he says, no humor at all in his tone.

Opening my eyes, I turn to look at him to find him nodding and wearing a serious expression. “Thanks, man, but this is on me. I have to figure out how to make my wife fall in love with me.”

“Do you love her?”

“I care about her. A lot. Enough that I want to see what we can be.”

“And if it doesn’t work out?” he asks.

I glare at him, and he laughs. “It will.”

“You’re sunk, my friend.” Reaching over, he taps my chest. “You might want to look a little deeper.”

“Fuck off,” I grumble. I can’t say that I’m in love with her, but I do know I care about her, and yeah, I could see myself falling fast and hard for my wife. I just need her to give us a chance. I’ve always followed my gut instinct and my gut is telling me she’sthe one. That we can do this and be happy. We can build a life together.

Lachlan and I both sleep the remainder of the flight. When we land, I rush to grab my bag, and I’m out of my seat to help Brogan and Maggie before the aisle can get blocked and she sneaks away from me.

“My place or yours?” I ask her once we’re off the plane.

“What?”

“Are we staying at my place or yours tonight?”

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