Page 48 of Fumbling for Perfection

“It’s him.”

“Him?”

I lift my chin and open my eyes, staring into Jackson’s sweet, blue eyes. He’s blissfully ignorant, which is one of his many endearing qualities. For as incredibly intelligent as he is, he’s a dunce when it comes to reading women. Which is understandable.

“My stallion.”

“What about your stallion? I’m lost.”

I lift my hands to his chest and play with the buttons on his shirt. “My one-night stand. My long-distance guy. My stallion. The father of my baby. It’s Walker.”

Jackson blinks slowly as if he’s trying to get sand out of his eyes. “My brother? How did you even meet him?”

“I’m guessing the reason he was in Rhode Island that night was to go to our engagement party. After we, uh, hooked up, he must have changed his mind.”

“And he came back to Boston to see you.” Jackson runs his fingers through his hair, which is uncharacteristic for him. “And you two fucked like rabbits.”

I nod.

“And he got you pregnant.”

I nod again.

Jackson’s mouth breaks into a grin. “So I really am going to be an uncle.” He squeezes me in an excited hug.

“Seriously?” I push him away. “Do you understand how this complicates everything? He’s going to do the math and figure out the baby is his. He already thinks I’m a terrible human for cheating on you before our engagement and again this past week. Days before our wedding. I don’t want to be the rift between you two when you’re finally reconnecting after all these years.”

“Good point.” He scratches his chin and his smile fades. “You’re in love with my brother.”

I open my mouth to protest and choke on air before I can deny it. “I’m not in love with him.”

“Lust is a given. Serious like. Major like.”

“In case you didn’t notice, your brother despises me.”

“He could have outed you. Told me about your affair. I wonder why he hasn’t. Is it to protect me or to protect you?”

“I don’t know, Jackson.” I rub my flat stomach. “Eventually, he’s going to find out. I don’t want to hurt him any more than I already have.”

“You mean the world to me, Riley. You and Taylor are my life. I want Walker to be part of my small inner circle as well. I’m going to figure out a way to make this work. I’ll take care of it. I promise.” He kisses the top of my head and lifts himself off the couch. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Before I can protest, he’s up and out of my hotel room, leaving me alone with my guilt.

“You’re going to take care of it?” I say to an empty room. “How the fuck do you plan on doing that?”

I’m glad Jackson talked his parents out of a rehearsal dinner last night. Why people need to practice walking down an aisle, especially when they have a handsomely paid wedding planner guiding them along every minute of the afternoon, is beyond me.

“You’re gorgeous, Riley.” Rowan dabs her eyes with a tissue then continues with the final touches of my makeup.

“Thanks.” I haven’t looked in the mirror all morning. I don’t care how I look in the puffy princess dress Lydia Bankes and her stylist picked out for me.

The layers of tulle and sweetheart neckline are not my style. Not that I have any clue what my wedding dress style is. This is the only dress I’ve ever tried on, and it was only after it was selected for me and the tailor needed me to put it on so she could alter it.

“Wow. So much enthusiasm.” Kendall sticks another bobby pin in my hair and wiggles the tiara Lydia insisted I wear around the poof of curls.

“I just want to get this day over with.” I sip my peppermint tea and stare out the window.

“Jackson will take good care of you and the baby,” Rowan soothes.

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