Page 71 of The Marriage Deal
“I should probably make sure Mason isn’t kicking the crap out of Calix.”
I giggle, because Mason is the younger one. He’s also a classic example of second child syndrome. “Poor Calix.”
Tara groans. “Kacey works late again tonight. Curse him.”
“Go make sure everyone is breathing,” I tell her. “And arrange a sitter. I’m serious about that spa day.”
“You better be. Talk later.”
Another scream is cut off by the line going dead. I laugh.
And then I imagine what it might be like if I had that life. In this house. With the man who is my fake soon-to-be-husband.
28
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE
BRIGGS
It could be goats.I’ve been trying to translate the meaning of that text since I got it almost five hours earlier. If I could have left work, I would have. But we’re going to be breaking ground in the coming weeks. We’re moving fast. I want the resort up and running by next spring, so there’s no time to mess around.
But Nash’s words have a spark of fear moving through me as I turn onto my drive. I’d flashed him my screen so he could read the message. Then he howled.
He didn’t just howl. He threw his head back to do it. Called the attention of the crew. Including Lilah’s brother, who has made his not-too-fond feelings regarding Lilah moving in with me more than clear.
Then Nash said, “Bet she got chickens. A whole shit ton of em.”
Dakota shook his head. “Not chickens. Cats. She’s always wanted cats. A whole litter of cats.”
The house comes into view between the trees. It’s lit up against the backdrop of a sunset blasted with brushstrokes of red. By lit up, I mean the lights are on. The house is glowing.
I’ve never come home to a glowing house. Not once in my adult life.
I throw my truck in park and swallow down the fear I feel at the thought of a whole box of chickens waiting inside for me.Would she bring them inside?
Shit, I don’t want chickens. Yet.
I decide that Dakota knows her better than Nash. As soon as I do, a flip turns my stomach. She wouldn’t really adopt a whole litter of cats, would she? What does one do with a whole litter?
Memory plays in my mind and I can practically feel Nash’s hand slap against my shoulder, his words echoing loudly in my mind. “You wanted a petting zoo.” Another howl of laughter. “For the kids.”
At those words, Dakota’s lip had twitched with something more than disdain for me. Something like—respect?
“Shit,” I breathe out a sigh as I scrub my hands down my face, don my hat and throw open the door of my truck. My pace is quick as I move through—absolute chaos. It’s a dirt bomb. But there’s a few pots with freshly planted flowers to show for it. Though I figure the little lunatic isn’t finished yet, considering there is aline of flowers that have yet to be planted in the empty pots.
Relief settles inside me, and I grin. This is what she meant.Excuse the mess, future husband, it could be goats.
I laugh aloud and enter the house.
I’m instantly hit with the sweet aroma of homemade apple pie. The house is filled with the scent of a warmth that is so warm it permeates through flesh and bone to the marrow inside. Something eases inside me. Something I didn’t realize was tight. This is what it feels like to come home to someone. This is what it feels like to not be alone.
I kick off my boots. There’s a burn in my throat. I’ve never felt it before, not once in my life.
I hang my hat in time to see the woman I’ll soon be marrying dance into view. That burn turns tight.
Her skin is dewy in the heat, because the woman insists air conditioning isn’t a necessity. Her hair is pulled up into a high ponytail at the back of her head. Flyaway hairs frame her face, and she’s not wearing any makeup at all.
My gaze drops from her face to the dress she wears to her bare feet and back up again to land on the thin strap that’s fallen from her shoulder down her arm.
