Page 100 of The Marriage Deal
PAY THE PIPER
LILAH
Shana outdid herself. The back deck and yard have been transformed. Where the stone patio sits in the yard below there is now a big white tent and a live band. Vintage filament string lights have been hung to cast romantic light over a space that is blooming with pink and white roses. Rustic wood table and chair sets give an ambiance that is warm and inviting.
It’s not the small gathering of family and close friends that I expected. Shana has clearly made some friends over her time here in Sunset Falls, which isn’t all that surprising. She’s been a frequent visitor to The Tasty Rise, and I know Mom and Dad have had a good time introducing her to everyone.
The bump to my shoulder is enough to slosh the champagne in my glass. “Dakota!”
He chuckles, as brothers are prone to do. “I thinkMom and Dad are happier about this wedding than you.”
I stiffen. “Why would you say that?”
He fixes his eyes on me, and I don’t miss the way they narrow. “Is everything okay with you?”
“Why wouldn’t everything be okay? I’m marrying my dream man.”
His eyes are still narrowed, as though he can see through the words I’m saying to the ugly truth beneath. That I’m in love with a man I’m marrying—a man I’ve agreed to divorce.
“I can’t put my finger on it, Lilah, but something feels off. I don’t like it.” He puffs his chest before he blows out a big breath. “At first, I was worried about you. But now I’m worried about him.”
“Briggs?” My eyes pop wide. “Why would you be worried about him?”
“Because that man loves you, Lilah. I mean he really loves you.” He shakes his head as he slips his hands into his pockets. “If you don’t feel the same for him, I think you need to take a step back. For his sake.”
I’m gobsmacked. “You’re serious right now?”
“He’s a good guy. He deserves to marry someone who loves him like he loves her.” His tone gentles. “It’s okay if that isn’t you, Lilah. This has moved quick from the beginning. Quicker than I like, I’m not going to lie.”
I shake my head, butt hurt that Briggs is clearly such a great actor that he’s pulled the wool so far over my brother’s eyes that he thinks I’m the one who isgoing to demolish Briggs’ heart and not the other way around.
I step up my game, doing it with all the truth that rattles around in my soul desperate for a crack to spill free. “You’re wrong. I do love him, Dakota. I love him like I’ve never loved anyone in my whole life. Like I’ll never love anyone ever again. The thought of losing him hurts so deep inside of me, when I think of it, I can’t breathe. I love him in a way that makes absolutely no sense. I love him even though I’m terrified of the future. And, yeah, it’s moving fast and I’m definitely feeling afraid and a little overwhelmed—but when I think of that place I want to be more than any other—the only place I can think of is home with him.”
Dakota watches me for a long moment, searching for a lie in the mess of my truth. I know he won’t find one. There isn’t a lie to be found.
Finally, he dips his chin to press a kiss to my forehead. I can feel he still worries. He’s sensitive like that, though. He doesn’t know the deal I’ve struck with Briggs, and he never will. Sadly, he’ll be there for the aftermath.
“Uncle Kota!” A little boy shriek of excitement pulls Dakota’s gaze from me to Tara’s youngest son, Mason. He’s running from his older brother who is clearly pretending to be a dinosaur of some kind.
Dakota being Dakota instantly slides into play-gear, hands flying high as he lets a roar rip. Whatever dinosaur Calix was being takes cover under a nearbytable and little Mason launches himself in a fit of giggles against Dakota’s legs.
Dakota winks at me before he’s off to play with the boys, giving Tara and Kacey, Dakota’s best friend and work partner, a break to dance in kid-free peace.
“He’s going to make a great uncle to your babies one day.” I’d know the voice that speaks beside me anywhere.
I also know when I glance at Shana that she heard absolutely every word I said to Dakota about Briggs and my feelings for him.
I already felt impossibly raw, but now I feel flayed to the bone.
I clear my throat. “He’s great with kids.”
“He is,” she agrees, but she’s not watching Dakota circle the dance floor, hunting for a quivering Calix. She’s looking at me. “I heard what you said.”
“Oh.” Now the champagne in my glass trembles for an entirely different reason.
“I know what it’s like to fear losing the man you love.” Her eyes are so soft. So full of emotion I don’t even want to begin to understand. “And I know what it feels like to have that fear become reality.” She steadies the quiver of my arm with a kind hand. Inside my chest, my heart is a storm. “I can promise that loving them is worth any pain that might come after.”
The smile I give her is watery. “That’s what my Nan says.”
