Page 137 of Fake As Puck
“You were supposed to stay with me, and you let Charlie bribe you stay there. It’s fine if you’re with me. The kids won’t notice. Tessa will understand. She’s the one who’s been pushing us together.”
“That’s true.”
“So? Will you stay?”
“Yes.”
We climb into the hotel bed, and I lay against him.
“Liv?”
“Mmm?” I hum.
“Thank you for coming here tonight. For being here tomorrow. For putting up with my family and my neuroses and all of it.”
“You don’t have to thank me for that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?” I turn to look at him.
“Because you could have said no. To all of it. And I’m really glad you didn’t.”
“Me too.”
We lie in the dark, talking softly about tomorrow, about his cousin, about whether his parents will embarrass him during the toasts.
Normal things. Safe things.
Things that don’t require us to acknowledge the weight of what happens when this weekend ends.
38
I wake up to golden light streaming through the curtains and the sound of Liv breathing softly beside me.
For a moment, I relax and watch her sleep. Her hair is spread across the pillow, and she has that peaceful expression people only get when they’re completely relaxed.
She looks like she belongs here.
Like this is how every morning should start.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand—a text from my cousin reminding all the groomsmen about breakfast at nine.
“I have to go,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
She stirs but doesn’t open her eyes. “What time is it?”
“Eight-thirty. Groomsman duties call.”
“Mmm. Have fun getting pretty.”
“I’m already pretty.”
“So modest.”
I kiss her again, on the lips this time, and she smiles without opening her eyes.
“See you at the ceremony?” I ask.
