Page 33 of Walkoff Wedding

For a second, I’m quiet again, chewing my lip in thought and looking anywhere but at him. Finally, I shift my eyes back to his, holding his gaze as I say, “I think… we get married?”

His eyes widen in surprise. “Yeah? You want to do this?”

Nodding, I reach up and tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I think it’s the best plan. We get married and convince everyone that it’s real. I get the bakery, and you sign your deal. And once the paperwork has been signed and the probate is complete… we can get it annulled.”

Suddenly, this all has begun to feel more real.

I’m going to marry Grant. I’m going to own Ever After. I’m going to finally be free of Brent’s hold.

It feels too good to be true.

“Okay. So that answers that. I’m in. But what about everything else? Are you going to move here? I mean… I can’t imagine you want to continue to live with Brent, right? And our marriage needs to appear legit until it’s done, right?”

Immediately, I shake my head. “No. Absolutely not. He’s going to be angry, and so will Dixon. I can’t stay there. I can move here with you if that’s okay with you, but… there’s one thing.”

He looks confused, so I quickly add, “Auggie. My corgi.”

Realization flickers in his eyes as his lips tug into a grin. “The two of you are a package, Addie. I wouldn’t expect you to leave him with that asshole. Plus, I love animals.”

“Okay. Good.” Another question lingers in my mind, and I spit it out before I lose the courage. “Also… what if you want to be with someone else? While we’re… married. I know it’s not traditional, and, um… guys have needs.”

That was mortifying.

Jeez, Addie. You’re going to marry this guy—you have to be able to at least discuss things like this.

Grant laughs, the sound settling around the nervous flutter in my stomach as amusement dances over his features.

“That’s not going to be an issue. Even if this isn’t real, I’m a one-woman kind of guy, and… I have ways of taking care of my own needs.”

Suddenly, it’s hot in here. My palms begin to perspire as a furious blush works its way from my cheeks down my body.

Grant… Taking… Ca?—

Clearing my throat, I nod and duck my head to avoid his gaze. A second later, I feel his finger tip my chin up, dragging my gaze back to his as he studies me with a serious expression.

“There’s not going to be anyone else, Addie. Period. I’m committed to this, and I promise you that.”

Exhaling shakily, I nod as his gaze remains holding mine. “Okay. And, um, not that you’d need to worry about this, but… me too. No one else… So, I guess, then… it’s official. We’re getting married.”

“Guess that means I should officially propose, then?” he asks with a cheeky smirk.

My eyes widen, almost comically so.

What does he mean… officially?

Before I can even ask, he stands abruptly from the coffee table and disappears into the kitchen, returning with a napkin in his hand. He tears a piece of it off and fashions what looks to be a… ring.

Dropping to one knee, he reaches for my hand with the newly fashioned paper ring and peers up at me. “Will you fake marry me, ArtGirl? And make me the happiest Jock in all the land?”

It’s absolutely cheesy and completely ridiculous, but even so, a flurry of butterflies takes flight in my stomach as I nod.

Because I know at this moment, Grant Bergeron is the only boy I’d ever trust enough to fake marry.

He grins harder, sliding the too-big paper ring onto my finger and swiping the pad of his thumb along the top of my knuckles softly.

“It’s not much, but it’s all I’ve got right now,” he says with a wink.

I shake my head. “No. It’s perfect. It’s more than enough.”

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