Fake Marriage Box Set

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Gavin

"Just chill." I finished buttoning my shirt as I checked myself out in my bathroom mirror. "You've already slept with her, been on several dates with her, mom loved her... you're good. For fuck's sake, you married her."

I laughed at that and brushed my hand down my face. The shit me and Maddie had been through over the last couple of weeks would forever stain my heart. It was the beginning of what I could tell was going to be a really long love story.

I could almost see myself sitting on the porch with our kids, telling them how their rotten-ass momma sucked half a million dollars out of my bank account before we were even married.

She would roll her eyes, sit in my lap, and twist the tale all the way around. Which was fine. I didn't care, as long as she was in my future.

I'd laid in bed the night before, yearning for her in a way I hadn't wanted anyone. Anger and loss and sadness could fuck off for the time being. I needed a clear head to make sure when we started over again, it was one hundred percent authentic.

Get the tie. The gray one. It looks so good on you, and gray goes with everything. I could hear mom's voice in my head, the words so familiar they felt like coming home.

I walked to the closet and got one of my gray ties before putting it on and checking myself one more time. We could grab something to eat and then head back to the house to talk. Maybe more than talk if she wanted me. I knew I wanted her… so damn bad it hurt.

I got in the car and drove toward her apartment, my heart racing in my chest. Was she being serious at the gravesite the day before? How could she not be?

She was a free woman and had no reason in hell to offer herself up to me. There wasn't an evil scheme or vendetta behind her words. She was laying herself out there for me to accept or reject.

"She's way more brave than you," I mumbled to myself and pulled up into the parking lot at her apartment. I sat there for a few minutes, trying to get my thoughts together.

My phone buzzed, and I looked down to see that it was her. She wanted to know what time I would be there.

I got out of the car and jogged up to

her door, knocking softly.

She opened the door, wearing a white cotton dress and flats. Her hair was down, and she wore the same soft colors she wore at our wedding.

I gave her a cocky grin and moved back. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks." She walked out and turned, locking the door.

I reached out and ran my hands down the sides of her arms before stepping closer and leaning down to kiss the soft skin beneath her ear. "Can we start with me apologizing?"

"Not a chance in hell." She turned around and slid her hands up my chest, locking them behind my neck. "We both owe each other a round of apologies, but do-overs don't work like that. Everything that wasn't right is behind us now. All we have is the future and the memory of the great parts of what we just went through."

"Like you sucking me off in the shower?" I tightened my arms around her waist.

"And you renting out the hibachi grill?" She pressed against me, her eyes filled with one thing: love.

"And the way you made my mother light up. She loved it every time you visited."

"And she was proud of you for being the man you are." She pulled me down and brushed her nose by mine. "I'm proud of you for being you."

"Good, but flattery will get you nowhere, Gold Digger." I nipped at her lips and moved back to take her hand. "Dinner and then back to the house for dessert?"

"Depends on what dessert is." She tucked herself against my side as we walked to the car.

"Something with nuts, I'm sure."

She yelped and swatted at me. "Gavin!"

"I meant like peanuts. Jeez, woman. You love peanut butter, right?" I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked her to her side of the car, opening the door and helping her into the car.

I walked around to my side, feeling like a million dollars. The woman could have every penny Dad left me if she just stayed by my side and loved me until I left the earth.