Page 45 of Fight For Us
“What are you saying?”
“Marry me.”
“You’re serious?” Her eyes blazed into mine as she nodded. A rebuttal almost slipped from my lips before I caught myself. Hell, I didn’t deserve her for all the reasons I didn’t deserve Lilly but I was selfish enough to take her offer. I knew I needed her much more than she needed me.
“You said it yourself, it’ll be mutually beneficial. You’ll help with health insurance and I’ll help you with the custody stuff.”
I had said that. “Right. But are you sure? I thought—”
“I’m sure. Like we said, nothing else will change. We’re two friends helping each other who happen to be married.”
She stepped back, leaving a chill in her wake. “Okay, then. When do we do this?”
She inhaled deeply and blew out a breath. “As soon as possible. I have this feeling in my gut that we shouldn’t wait.”
Who was I to argue her? I focused on her face with a renewed sense of purpose. “Alright, let’s do this then.”
Olivia searched on her phone, while I made a list of things we’d need and people to call. By the time I left an hour later, I’d almost forgotten about Regina’s message.
I checked in on Lilly, sleeping soundly in my bed, before heading to the couch to pass out.
All night I tossed and turned, ruminating on everything that could go wrong. I was so damn scared. Scared of hurting Lilly and fucking up her life. Scared of dragging Olivia and Alex into my shit. Scared I’d hurt them all.
I kept picturing Dylan’s face in those last moments. The way he held on for me. I let him down. He was gone because of me. Why did I think I deserved Olivia’s kindness?
Chapter 19
Olivia
Oh my God, thiswas happening. I was about to marry Wes. All morning I’d been pacing my bedroom, talking to myself like a lunatic. Now that it’s come down to the day of, I wish I’d told Mia. Even if I did, she was a few hours away for the holiday and I didn’t want to ruin that for her.
Not like this was real anyway. She’d fuss over me and make sure we did all the customary traditions regardless—bridal shower, bachelorette party, dress shopping. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was better this way, quick and simple.
I peeked at the to-do list I made when we decided this was happening. Honestly, my one regret was waiting until the week of Christmas. Like we weren’t already busy enough. Only one thing left on the list: meet Wes at the courthouse.
I took one more look in the mirror, adjusting the loose curls I’d attempted. Maybe I didn’t look like a traditional bride, but I felt good about myself in the white sundress I found on clearance. That was all that mattered, right?
With a bewildered Alex in tow, we made our way to the Palm Cove courthouse, my nerves eating away at my gut the entire ride.
Twinkle lights decorated the lobby and instrumental holiday music drifted through hidden speakers. We turned the corner and there he was, wearing dress pants that fit snugly over his thighs, a loose button up shirt and an unbuttoned jacket. His hair was pulled back, and his beard was neatly trimmed. I stopped in my tracks, taking him in before he saw us. I thought he was beautiful when I first laid eyes on him and that only intensified, which scared the hell out of me. I should not be finding my future husband mouthwatering hot. Not in our situation.
“Lilly!” Alex called to his soon-to-be sibling. They all turned their heads in our direction. Wes, Lilly, his parents, even the few random people scattered around waiting for their own appointments. He hobbled their way as fast as his crutches would allow.
Wes and I locked eyes from across the room. Each step I took toward him, toward this new crazy future, made unanswered questions spring into my mind. Oh, God. My mouth was a desert and my legs trembled. Maybe it was the heels… but probably not.
I spotted an open door and scrambled through it, not giving a damn if the room was off limits.Shit, shit, shit. Should I leave? Slip out through some back door. I’d figure out the health insurance somehow, and the money… No biggie.
Except it was a biggie. And I couldn’t go. I finally looked around, realizing I’d infiltrated someone’s personal office. They must have been out, but still, I shouldn’t have been in there. A knock sounded on the door and I jumped, grabbing a stapler from the desk in front of me.
“It’s me.” Wes pushed the door open, immediately filling the space with his frame. He had this way about him that was more than his size. It was his presence. When he was near, you felt him. I hugged my arms against my chest as he froze in place a few feet from me.
“Sorry.” I couldn’t look at him. I felt like a scared child, hiding away in here when we’d already made this decision.
“Don’t.” His voice was clear and calm, the opposite of how I felt. He stepped closer and I didn’t look up until his fingertips brushed my chin. “Don’t apologize.”
I nodded and made a noise of agreement.
“What can I do?” It took everything in me not to wrap my hand around his and bury myself in his chest. I craved that comfort and he could sense that.
