Page 24 of Fall to Me
“By accident.”
“Still counts.”
I huff a breath. Fuck. Teagan said we had to sell it. I sat there and lied to Aspen’s face and told her I was in love with him. She’s not gonna believe that if we’re not affectionate.
“Fine. We can pretend we’re nauseatingly in love for one day.”
He shakes his head. “One year. We see these people every day. We have to fake it so hard that we believe it ourselves.”
I think about what he just said, and as much as I hate to admit it, he’s right.
My eyes flit between his, and my stomach flips all over again. The way he’s looking at me could almost convince me that he already believes it. A door closes, the sound echoing off the walls of the hallway, making me jump. Carter and I both turn our heads to see who’s coming. My dad rounds the corner and stops mid-step when he sees us.
Carter places the tips of his fingers against my chin and guides my head back to him. He combs his fingers through a stray hair, tucking it behind my ear, then presses his lips to my forehead. His kiss lingers for a moment, and my eyes flutter shuton instinct. My heartrate skyrockets, and goosebumps spread down my arms.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers, then caresses my cheek. “I’ll see you at the altar, baby.”
My lips part, and my chest rises and falls with each rapid breath. By the time I open my eyes, he’s already walking down the stairs.
Dad’s gaze trails after Carter before settling on me, his face unreadable as he strides toward me.
“Hi, bug.” He wraps me in a hug.
I’ve missed him so much since I’ve been gone.
“Hi, Dad. You look handsome. I’m glad you made it.” I give him a small smile.
He nods but doesn’t offer a smile in return and my heart drops. I hate disappointing my dad.
“I wouldn’t miss Aspen’s wedding.” His gaze flicks toward the staircase again, then returns to mine as he continues, “Wouldn’t have missed yours either, had I known about it.”
His hands drop and disappear into his suit pockets, but his eyes stay locked on mine.
“I know. I’m sorry. We didn’t plan it. It just… it just kinda happened,” I stutter. “W-We thought a small intimate ceremony, just the two of us, was perfect. It felt right.”
“Did it?”
“Yes,” I say quickly. “I know it seems sudden, but . . .”
He sighs, raking a hand through his hair, and stepping back, like he needs the space to breathe. Like I’m testing his patience.
“River . . . I haven’t even heard of this Carter guy, and after Jaxon?—”
“Carter’s nothing like Jaxon. Like, at all.”
“Oh, he better not be.”
His worried expression deepens the fine lines at the corners of his eyes and makes him look a little older.
“Carter’s a good man, Dad,” I admit for the second time today.
He studies me for a long moment, then gives a slow nod. “I only want for you to be happy. If he fucks up, it’ll be the end for him. I can’t go through that again, bug.”
My throat tightens at the thought of how worried my dad must be. I wrap my arms around him and place my head on his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
“I appreciate that you’re trying to protect me, Dad, but you don’t need to. Not from Carter. We’re happy. Can you cut him a break? Try to get to know him. I think you two would really get along.”
My dad squeezes me tight and asks, “So, you love him? This wasn’t one of those drunken mistakes in Vegas?”
