My Fake Husband: A Secret Baby Romance (Rockford Falls 2)

“I wish I’d answered your call when I was in Savannah. I wish I’d trusted you more. I’m never going to stop being sorry for that.”

“You have to. Because you have nothing to be sorry for at all. We both made mistakes, and we managed to fix things in time. Before I lost you for good. I kept imagining that I’d have to shake hands with the guy you married, that you’d invite me to your wedding and if I didn’t go it’d be obvious I wasn’t over you so I’d have to go.”

“Wait, was I marrying the imaginary boyfriend from Fourth of July, or somebody else?” I teased.

“Somebody else. But I knew I’d have to act like it was fine and I was happy for you. I’d have to show up at least for the reception.”

“Well, be glad it didn’t happen. I decided when you agreed to marry me and help me buy the building that I’d have to give you free flowers for your wedding as a thank you. I’d have to make your bride’s bouquet with my bare hands,” I said. “It was like I wanted to act like it would be a friendly gesture, but I was eating my heart out over this imagined horrible future situation.”

“Maybe your imaginary groom and my pretend future bride ended up together.”

“No, I hope they died in a fiery car crash. I couldn’t stand her,” I laughed.

“Yeah, he was a preppy loser,” Damon agreed.

I laughed and he pulled me back against him and put his arms around me. We watched Ashton and Brenna playing, my dad taking pictures every five seconds and my mom waving him away. The sun-drenched backyard, the birds in the trees, the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill where Brody stood by soberly in a Kiss the Cook apron Laura had forced him to wear—all of it was absolutely perfect. The way my husband’s arms wrapped around me from behind, the ease of the way he held me, and the excitement and comfort of that alone was a miracle. To have all of these people we loved around us, our perfect little boy, so much happiness—it was beyond anything I could have imagined when I was ankle-deep in murky water in the backroom of my flower shop last year.

When I thought of how hopeless, how lonely I was then, it made the magic of my life now even better. Because I’d been alone and scared and not sure how I could handle everything life threw at me. Now, with Damon by my side, I knew I was a better version of myself and that I didn’t have to be afraid. Because we had each other. It was such a beautiful life and I was thankful for it every minute of the day, every hour of the night in my husband’s arms.

I shut my eyes and leaned back against him, listened to his breath and the breeze and birdsong, the laughter of the people we loved the most. There were moments I knew I’d never forget, and this was one of the best.

The End