Page 41 of Why Not Forever?

For just a second, her gaze drops from my eyes to my lips and I wonder what she would do if I were to kiss her right now. Would she pull away? Or would she kiss me back?

“I’m not fascinating,” she says quietly. “I’m a sardonic control freak who would rather stay home and read or watch a show than go out with friends.”

I’m still touching her, my thumb caressing along her cheekbone. And she’s letting me. “But youdogo out with your friends. Why is that, Vic?”

“Because it’s important to them and they’re important to me.”

I smile. “Exactly. You may not be incredibly charming, but your capacity for love is bigger than I’ve ever seen. You memorized my family tree in a matter of a few days when our relationship has an expiry date. You come with me to these things,” I wave a hand behind me to my parents’ apartment, “even though I’m sure they can be overwhelming, because it’s important to me.” I lean down and place a soft kiss on her cheek. “Thank you.”

When I move back, her eyes have drifted closed and there’s a huge part of me that wants to lean in again, this time placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Would she let me?

Then she clears her throat, her eyes blinking open. “We should get inside before they wonder where we are.”

I take her hand before we get to the door. Around my family and hers we hold hands a lot. We’d discussed it after the wedding and figure we could get away with no more kissing as long as we show affection in other ways, like hand holding.

Inside, we go to the party room, which my parents have booked for Juliet’s birthday. Most of my family is there already and some of the older kids come to greet us immediately. I’m closer with my nieces and nephews than I am with most of my siblings, and because I’ve always tried to be there for them and do fun things with them, I’ve solidified my spot as favourite uncle.

The party is as rowdy and loud as every other time my family gets together, especially on days like today when more of them are in attendance, people talking over one another, multiple conversations happening at once, the younger kids screaming as they run around the place. Juliet had mentioned to me she hadn’t wanted to do something like this, feeling like she was too old for it, but my parents insisted and she had relented.

I note her father, my brother Keith, is not here. I hope he’s not at a casino, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if he is. Her mom isn’t with Keith anymore, so she’s not here, either, but Piper is a good parent and I’m sure she’s doing something for Juliet later if she hasn’t celebrated her birthday already. Juliet’s brother Cooper is here. They have different moms, but have always been close.

After cake and presents, as the party is winding down, I see Vic talking to my sister Harper and her husband Ian. I excuse myself from the game of tag I’d been playing with the under ten crowd and join her.

“Oh, I love travelling,” Vic is saying. “I didn’t plan anything for this year because we’re busy opening the new venue, but I try to go somewhere every year.”

“Good luck getting Tanner to go with you,” Harper says. “He’s such a homebody. He hasn’t even travelled further than Vancouver Island.”

“Hey,” I say, slipping into the conversation.

“Tell me it’s not true,” Harper says.

I pretend like I’m considering it for a moment, then nod. “It’s true.”

“Wait,” Ian says. “Where did you guys go for your honeymoon, then?”

“We didn’t go on one,” Vic says.

Harper looks surprised. “Why not?”

“Oh. Because…” Vic falters, looking at me and I know what she’s thinking. How do we save this? We didn’t go on a honeymoon because this isn’t that kind of marriage. We can’t tell my family that. The only ones who know are Vic’s closest friends, Wyatt, and Addison.

“Vic’s business is really busy during the summer months. It’s hard to get away.” I place my hand on the small of her back, trying to show her we’re in this together as I lie to my sister. “Then Derek and Ava are going for their honeymoon in a couple days, so we didn’t want to go while he’s away.”

“So you’ll be going later?” Ian asks.

I look down at Vic, who meets my eyes. “I was hoping to convince her to let me take her away for a bit. Maybe just a week, or a long weekend. Over to the Island or up to Whistler.”

“Do you ski, Vic?” Harper asks.

“No. I don’t snowboard, either. But I could be convinced to go to Whistler, anyway.” She looks up at me, leaning into my touch. “We don’t have to go during ski season. Take in some spa time, some nice drinks at a fireside lounge.”

I grin. “We can absolutely do that.”

Before the conversation has moved on, I’m already making a plan to take Vic away. Because if she doesn’t hate me, if she thinks I’m sexy and charming, maybe there’s a chance this marriage on paper can become a real one after all.

Chapter 16

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