“Just like that?”
He grinned. Even in the dark I could see how sexy his smile was. “Just like that.”
His hand folded around mine. “This is going to be the night that changes our lives.”
He was probably thinking about the money. I was thinking about the baby.
“Oh, what about a marriage license? Do we have to wait for a certain amount of time? Blood tests? I have no idea how to apply for one.”
The car pulled up on the tarmac, directly in front of the jet. “No, it’s all taken care of. There’s no waiting period. We just need a few documents.”
“The inn just gives them out?” I waited while the driver retrieved my bag from the trunk.
“We’ll have to make a stop on the way to pick it up.”
“Jer, I don’t think it’s the kind of thing you pick up at an all-night pharmacy. It’s a legal document.”
He reached for my hand, to help me step from the car. “Let me worry about the details. All you need to know is in two hours, you’ll be my wife.”
“You make it sound oh so romantic,” I teased. I almost tipped backward on the heels of my boots. I wanted to think I was sober, but after two bottles of wine I was nowhere near it.
“Whoa there.” He grabbed me by the waist. His hand was firm at my hip. Strong and protective. I looked in his eyes. I couldn’t let myself drown in them. Even though after the series of events tonight, it was hard not to. It was easier just to let everything fall where it wanted. Including me. Right into Jeremy.
“Sir?” The pilot stood in front of the aircraft.
Jeremy placed me on my feet and tugged me behind him. My head spun.
“We’ve finished pre-flight. Ready to take off when you are.”
Jeremy smiled. “Good. We need to land in Asheville for the night.”
“Sir?”
“Change of plans. New York in the morning.”
The pilot’s face contorted. I thought I saw a vein bulge on his forehead. “I’ll have to re-file the flight plan.”
“Then do it,” Jeremy instructed.
My back bristled. There it was. The sound of arrogance. The Hartwell tone.
I pushed up on my toes and whispered to him. “We could do this later. We don’t have to do it tonight if it’s going to put everyone out.”
He cupped my cheek. “We’re getting married. We’re doing this thing, Evie. Aren’t you excited to be Mrs. Jeremy Hartwell?”
My core tingled and my stomach flipped. As crazy as it sounded, I was. This was the answer to all my problems. There was always the chance if I waited too long, Jeremy would change his mind. What if he sobered up and realized he hated the idea of a fake marriage more than he hated his dead father?
I wasn’t willing to take that chance.
“I am. Let’s do it.”
I followed him up the stairs into the small jet.
“Champagne?” the flight attendant offered as soon as we walked inside.
“Take one,” he urged. “We have a lot to celebrate.”
“Ok. Just one. Thank you.” I smiled at the woman holding the silver tray.