Page 56 of Beau & Autumn

I truly believe that this will solve a problem, and that’s all I can hope from this fake marriage. And if there’s one thing I really want in this life, it’s to see Autumn happy and getting all the things she wants.

If we have to get married to make her family feel more comfortable in the knowledge she’s in a committed relationship, then that’s what we’ll do. Another bonus is her mom will stop weighing in on that shithead Michael who cheated on her; she still seems to think the sun shines out of his ass.

“Newfound love?” She tilts her head this time, smiling so sweetly with those perfectly proportioned pink lips. I can’t help but smile back at the ring that phrase has, and the way she says it is pretty darned sweet. I watch her break off some of her cookie and pop it in her mouth.

“It happens, A. We start acting all flirty, then I take you out on a date and you can tell all your friends about it. After that we make up a story that we didn't want to live in sin and gush about how in love we are. Meanwhile, we can have a bit of a chuckle behind closed doors at the absurdity of it.”

“This could go really badly.” She presses her palm to her forehead, but I feel like she’s definitely coming around. I think she’s just worried about what people will think, which I totally get.

“Or it could go really well.” I reach my hand across the table as her eyes flick down to it. She has beautifully manicured hands, but unlike Dolly’s talons, they’re shorter and rounded, painted with a light pink shade.

“Beau, what are you doing?”

“Making the moves, Wifey. Are you in, or are you out?”

She scans from my hand to my eyes and I give her that quirky smile again. I think she likes it because her eyes are smiling too. “I guess it couldn’t be the worst thing two people have ever done. Only we have to know the truth… Wait, what about our friends?”

“We have to keep it between us, at least for the moment. They can’t know the real reason. For this to work they have to believe it, too.”

“So no Eden and no Carrie?”

“Yes, and especially no Georgia-Blue.” I roll my eyes.

“And no Fletcher,” she adds.

“Exactly.” My eyes slide down to the table as her hand not holding her coffee cup slides towards mine and her fingers roll over the top of my skin. Even from that faint contact, electricity shoots up my spine, tingling my body all over. Spreading warmth and… happiness?

Is that what it is? Because not one inch of my body is complaining, and my brain refuses to believe this could be a bad idea. I might have completely lost my marbles, but there’s no other woman I’d like to lose them with.

Her hand interlaces over the top of mine as our fingers entwine, and I’m toast. When she squeezes, I know she’s in.

“So what do you say, Wifey?” I need her to say the words, to know we’re really doing this.

She giggles. Actually fucking giggles and the sound stirs the body part I’ve been trying to keep at bay all afternoon. “I say, I do, Hubs.”

16

Autumn

The minute my hand touches his I know there’s no turning back, and I can’t let my fears take over what could go wrong in this scenario. Especially when Beau is telling me all the reasons why this is so right.

The man has gone insane… And now I’m right along there with him for the ride.

Facepalm of the century.

But even I have to admit the reasons are pretty compelling, and I definitely don’t hate the thought of being married to Beau at all. It’s just… different.

My new found feelings for him are new and exciting, and being in close proximity to one another if we get hitched, could pose a whole array of different problems. Because the truth is, I like Beau. I really like Beau. And I’ve just agreed to marry him!

“So we’re doing this?” I can’t believe the words leave my mouth.

“Yep. We’re doing this.” His knuckles brush across my hand and I try not to let the feeling skitter across my skin, as well as every cell in my body, which reacts to him in a nuclear way.

Beau is going to be my husband.

“And when our families find out we lied to them?”

He gives me a reassuring smile. “They won’t. Whatever happens, we’re gonna be friends no matter what. Even when this ends.”

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