Page 61 of Beau & Autumn

“My Grandma might change the rules.”

“Not when I tell her I’m your new husband. She’ll approve, you know she will. They think I’m heir to a fortune, and the Bassett name is respected in the south. They’ll be mad at first that we didn’t tell them, but we can just say we’ll have a big wedding later once everything has calmed down at work.” Yep, I have it all planned out. “Make a big song and dance about how wedding season is booked out and we just didn’t have time.”

She eyes me as I try not to laugh. “Because we didn’t want to live in sin?”

I roll my lips. “Uh, huh. I mean, I’ve still gotta face the wrath of your father and your brother. Not to mention facing your mom. Normally, the traditional thing to do would be to ask permission to marry their only daughter.”

“If you ask permission beforehand, my dad may say no, that’ll be worse.”

“Exactly. So while that does make me uncomfortable to not have his permission, we have to think about how we negate their disapproval.”

“I don’t care what they think.” Her lips part like she’s said something she shouldn’t.

I don’t know why that resonates deep inside of me, but it does. It almost alerts a primal side in me that I wasn’t sure existed before her. Now it’s there, glaring at me in the face calling me an idiot for not realizing sooner.

“You say that now, but that’s just your defense mechanism. I mean, I care about what my parents say too, but we need to look at the bigger picture; your family has ridiculous rules. We’re just working around those rules.”

The microwave beeps and she retrieves my plate from the microwave sliding it over to me on the counter, then places hers inside. “I’m just having a hard time with all of this.” Her tone drops and she sounds sad and that plays havoc on my conscience. “With being untruthful.”

I nod. That’s only natural. She’s not the type of person to break the law or do anything bad. Hell, I’d bet she’s never even had so much as a parking ticket.

Then I think about Fletcher’s words: It’s so hot that she’s older than you.

I can’t stop thinking about it.

It is hot.

She’s fucking perfect, if I’m being honest, and now I’m stuck between being the friend that marries her so she can get her inheritance, and the friend who’s fallen head over heels.

“I get it, and I think it sounds worse than it is on paper.”

She reaches for a notebook next to me. It’s then I see a very lengthy list in her neat handwriting. She really was working this out. I’m impressed. “Speaking of which. Here’s my list.”

I look down as she slides the list in front of me. On one hand, I love how she’s being forward and not keeping things from me. In the other, I want her to read them out so I can dissect each and every con.

“Just promise you won’t laugh,” she says, leaning down onto her elbows. “I was trying to be really constructive.”

My eyes move to meet hers. “I won’t laugh. Unless it’s really funny, then I’ll probably laugh my ass off.”

She reaches out to try to snatch the notebook, but I’m too fast. I hold it up above my head and she quickly gives up. “Fine. But just remember I already feel bad about doing this to you.”

“You’re not doing anything to me,” I tell her. “I wouldn’t have offered and as nuts as this may be, it ticks every box for both of us. The downside is you have to live with me for a little while.”

“You’d have to clear out the spare room if I come there.” She’s frowning again, working out all the ways she can back out. “Weren’t you using it for your art studio?”

“No, it’s okay, I haven’t really set it up properly anyway. I have most of my art supplies out in the garage anyway, I don’t get to sketch much anymore.” Just pictures of you and your cat because I can’t stop thinking about you. Jesus Christ, does this make me some kind of creeper?

“So now I really am taking over your art studio?” She folds her arms over her chest. “Great. Now I feel really bad.”

“Don’t be silly. I’d rather you use it, plus, since I have more space in the garage, I can always move the easels out there temporarily.” Okay, I’m lying a little bit about the space, but whatever.

She looks doubtful as she nods at the list. “So are you going to put me out of my misery and read my list?”

I clear my throat as I lay the note back on the countertop, starting at the cons I begin to read:

Cons

We could ruin a friendship

---