Page 91 of The Marriage Policy

“It was my fault,” I add. “He wouldn’t have had the idea if I wasn’t a dipshit.”

Donovan turns to me. “What? You’re not a dipshit. I hate it when you talk about yourself like that.”

“Can someone please tell us what’s going on?” Mom asks.

I’m the one who started this, so I make sure I’m the one to tell them about it. “When I left my old job to work with Cliff, I knew he wouldn’t offer medical insurance. Yes, I quit my job with coverage to go somewhere that didn’t have it because, well, like I said—dipshit.”

“Or, you know, someone who cares about others and tried to help out someone you thought was a friend,” Donovan defends me, reaching over and lacing our fingers together. “When he broke his ankle and I found out he didn’t have medical coverage, I sorta lost it. I was worried for him. You never know what will happen, and I let my fear of having been sick as a kid take over and came up with the plan for us to get married and put Eric on my medical insurance. He only did it so I wouldn’t worry so much.”

“That’s not true. I did it because I thought it would be fun to be married to you.”

Calvin cuts in. “Would the two of you stop defending each other like you’re being attacked?”

“We’re just trying to figure out what’s going on,” Maggie adds.

“It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, for the insurance and while I got back on my feet.” My stomach cramps with nerves. “I wasn’t trying to take advantage of him. I love Donovan more than anything in this world.”

“Oh, Eric,” Maggie says. “No one would ever think that. We know how much you love him. I’m just trying to understand. A marriage of convenience? We thought…”

“We are,” Donovan says. “We realized over the past few months that we’re in love.”

“And probably always have been in love,” I continue.

“And now we’re together for real.” Donovan squeezes my hand.

Our parents are quiet for a moment, making sweat bead on my brow. Did we misjudge this? Do they hate the idea of us together?

“I’m going to take care of him,” spills from my lips. “Not that Donovan really needs me to take care of him, but I’m not going to make foolish decisions anymore, and I’ll pay my own way. I’m serious about starting a business, and I swear I’ll be whom he deserves.”

Donovan turns sideways on the couch so he’s facing me again. “What are you talking about? You don’t have to do anything to be who I deserve. You don’t really feel that way, do you?”

I look away, insecurity clawing at me. “You’ve always had your shit together, and I’m the guy following you around. I wasn’t good enough for college, bounced from job to job, couldn’t afford my apartment. You had to marry me to get me out of my mistakes.”

“No. I didn’t. I married you because I love you, even before I realized I’m in love with you.” I can’t help but look at him as he speaks. “We’re a mess—both of us. You feeling like you’re not good enough for me, me feeling like I’ll never be good enough for you. I’ve never understood what you see in me, even when it was just you befriending me, and then everything with Malcolm happened, which ruined my self-esteem even more. But we do deserve each other, and we are good for each other. You have such a big fucking heart, Eric, and that’s my favorite thing about you. I don’t care if you went to college or have your own business or anything like that. I just want you.”

My heart races out of my chest, blood rushing through my ears and making everything around us echoey. “I just want you too.”

He pulls me into his arms, my face immediately buried in his neck. It’s not until I hear sniffles in the room that I remember we’re not alone.

We pull away at the same time, Mom and Maggie both wiping tears.

“This is good crying, right?” I ask.

“Yes. Good crying.” Mom shoves to her feet, and I do the same.

Donovan goes to his parents, while Mom and I linger close to each other. “I’m sorry if I disappointed you.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “You never could.”

“The insurance thing…knowing how much Dad’s medical bills were and the things Donovan went through…”

“Yes. It wasn’t a great decision, and I wish you’d known you could always come to me, but I’m not disappointed in you. Eric… Donovan is right. You’re ruled by that big heart of yours, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re smart, kind, your own person, and everything I hoped you would be. I’m proud of you. Dad would be proud of you too.”

Now it’s my eyes filling with tears and me doing the sniffling. I squeeze Mom as tight as I can, trying to show her how much her words mean to me. I want to make her proud, even if I don’t always go about it the right way.

“You and Donovan,” she says softly. “I’ve been waiting for this. Both my boys are together, the way you’re supposed to be.”

I pull back to look at her. “You wanted this?”

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