Page 17 of From Best Friend to Bride
Deli cast her gaze downward. “It’s the only reason I’m even considering such a stupid idea.”
“Yes, it is stupid.” Granny’s tone gave no room for argument. “Marriage should never be taken lightly, no matter your reason for it, and you will absolutely not be swearing any vows before God.”
I had a feeling that would be a condition. It would be quite unusual for an aristocrat not to get married in a church, but if we kept the wedding extremely small and cited Nana’s illness as the reason, we could pull it off.
“You must both also sit down and seriously consider the implications of what you’re proposing. Even if you do both view the marriage as a means to an end to make Judy happy, your relationship with one another will irrevocably change.” She looked at us both, wariness tickling her aging features. “There is every chance that your feelings will change. Even if Delilah officially lives in one of the annexed apartments, there will be times that won’t be feasible, and she’ll have to stay in the main house. You will see different sides of each other. You will have to act the part of a married couple socially and professionally. Despite what you may think in this moment, you’ll never be able to go back to how you are today.”
I held her gaze for a moment. She was right, of course. I knew all that. Just because I couldn’t fathom having feelings for Deli right now didn’t mean that would always be the case.
After all, I knew better than anyone how lovable she could be.
Granny smoothed her hands across her blouse. “Remember that you’re the ones who will have to live with the consequences of your decision, not Judy. As much as I wish for her to be happy in her final months, her happiness should not come at the cost of your own. She wouldn’t want that, either.” She paused for a moment. “Now, I’ve said my bit. We’ll discuss this again once you’ve both thought it all through.”
She left on those words, and I turned to Deli. Her hands were in her lap, and she was completely focused on picking at a bit of dead skin by her nail.
“Stop.” I covered her hand with mine. “You’ll make it bleed, then you’ll complain that it stings every time you wash your hands at work.”
She stilled, then separated her hands with a sigh. “You’re right.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What for?” She turned her head, and the sun glinted off her brown eyes, almost making them glint like the purest copper. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I suggested something stupid.” I took her hand in mine and squeezed it. “Granny’s right—it’s not as simple as getting married and getting an annulment in several months. We joked about it, but…”
Deli tilted her head to the side. “Does that mean you’re withdrawing your offer?”
“No. It still stands. If you really want to get married to make Nana happy, then that’s fine.” I met her gaze. “But I won’t let you marry anyone other than me.”
She didn’t move for a moment, and I was all too aware of the soft warmth of her hand in mine. Even her gaze didn’t waver, almost as if she was letting my words sink in.
I meant them.
She couldn’t marry anyone other than me. Not for this.
If she tried, I’d crash the wedding.
“All right.” She sighed and got to her feet, shaking off my hand. “Granny is right. It’s not a decision we should make in a split second. I am kind of surprised she’s on our side, though.”
“I’m not sure she’s on our side. It’s more like she recognises that we’re adults capable of making a choice and she’ll support us, even if she doesn’t agree with us.”
Because she didn’t.
My grandmother absolutely did not agree with it, no matter how many jokes she threw out about grandchildren.
I knew she would love nothing more than if Deli and I did get married for real. If there was even a sliver of agreement within Granny’s body, it was the part of her that was hanging onto a thread of hope that a fake marriage might become something more.
“You’re right.” Deli grabbed her bag and walked over to the door, stopping there and looking back at me just as Granny had. “We have time. Nana isn’t making her final decision until she sees Dr Anthony next week, so there’s no need to rush. I can hold her off with her delusions until then.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep.” She smiled, and a bit of her usual sunshine disposition appeared in her eyes again. “And Fred?”
“What?”
“I wouldn’t want to fake marry anyone but you, either.”
I smiled, and she flounced off out of my study as soon as the final word left her lips. She pulled the door closed behind her, and as it clicked shut, I rested my head on the back of the sofa and shut my eyes.
