Page 73 of The Backup Groom
“I’m confused—if you don’t need the money, why did you agree to marry me for money?”
“Good question,” Rectum Ryan said. “I was excited about the new office, but was a little impatient. I saw your deal as an opportunity to speed up the process of having a private practice. But after meeting Alma . . .” He smiled, then wistfully continued, “I’m thinking that maybe I would rather wait to have the real thing. I mean, I know it would be temporary between us. Even so, a genuine marriage, one based on true love, is something to treasure.”
“Yeah . . .” I twirled the engagement ring on my finger, thinking, wondering what it would be like to be married to Scotty.
“Wouldn’t it suck if the Universe gave us each a chance to meet our soulmate, and we didn’t seize the moment?” Rectum Ryan asked. “It sounds like we’re both having second thoughts about this, so let’s be bold enough to change our minds.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said. “Can we pretend we’re still engaged, though? That way, my cousin will leave me alone for a while.”
“Of course,” Rectum Ryan said as he covered my hand with his. “On one condition.”
I looked up, curious. “What?”
He grinned. “Please invite me to the wedding. I can’t help it, but I’m a hopeless romantic.”
“You got yourself a deal,” I said, smiling. “As long as you invite me to yours. Speaking of that, you’ll be needing this.” I slid the ring off my finger and handed it to him.
“Uh . . . that would be extremely awkward if you let me keep the ring,” Rectum Ryan said.
“Why is that?” I asked.
“Because you’re the one who paid for it, remember?” He chuckled.
“Oh. Right. I forgot.” I slid the ring into my purse and closed it.
“Okay, you go get your guy and I’ll go get my girl,” Rectum Ryan said, grinning.
“Good plan,” I said, giving him a hug, and finding it hard to breathe as he smashed my face up against his belly button. I had to struggle a bit to pull away.
The good news was, a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
Now, I needed clarity, some confidence, and a brilliant plan. Scotty and I had to get married, of course, but there was something else. I needed to find out if we had that extra something special that could actually take our relationship to another level. According to Scotty, there was only one way to find out.
The proof would be in the kiss.
The kiss is everything.
I needed to find out if he was right.
Was there something so strong between us that wouldn’t die after the first year?
Would I really be bold enough to actually go through with it? Based on the way my feet were moving back to Bean Me Up, Scotty, there was no doubt in my mind there was an excellent possibility. That would also explain my racing heart, the lightness in my chest, and the sudden surge of adrenaline and sugar running through my body.
I swung the door open to the coffee shop and made a beeline toward the counter where I spied Scotty working alongside Dean, as usual. Luckily, his head was down, as he was working on a drink. I needed the element of surprise on my side.
“Here goes nothing,” I mumbled to myself, working my way around the counter and stopping directly behind Scotty as he continued working on a drink.
Dean glanced over, his eyes going wide. He was about to say something when I placed my finger over my lips to keep him quiet.
This was the moment of truth.
There was no turning back now.
Don’t chicken out.
I tapped Scotty on the shoulder.
He turned around, freezing in his tracks, almost dropping the drink. “Amber . . .”
