Page 71 of Single Mom's Guide to Love

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Things I’ve learned today:You can get a marriage license and have a judge marry you all on the same day. Who knew?

When Josh and I got married in this very same courthouse, we didn’t do it on the same day. We applied for the license and took a few days to make sure our families could be there for it. That was as romantic as it got.

Then there’s today’s elopement. It’s just going to be me and Logan, with Kat as our witness. I didn’t tell my family, which is killing me. I don’t think Logan has told his brother or anyone else. I haven’t even told Jayce what I’m doing yet.

Partially because I don’t know how I’m going to tell anyone. And partially because I still can’t believe this is happening.

Logan gave me twenty-four hours to change my mind, which I appreciated. What I didn’t appreciate was waking up today—after a dream I’d rather not talk about featuring a naked Logan Matthews—and not having a single other idea that is better than tying the knot.

I have a problem. I need to fix it. This is how I’m fixing it. Nothing more. Nothing less.

So here I am, driving to the courthouse in a cream dress and nude heels, for the second courthouse wedding of my life.

Funny…I never saw myself as a marriage girl. And here I am doing it again.

I guess you can never say never…

At that moment, an image of my siblings flashes through my mind and what their reactions are going to be when they find out.

Simon will be pissed he wasn’t invited.

Ainsley might cry in happiness.

Stella will be shocked then want every detail of what’s really going on.

Quinn will see right through meandthe wedding.

Which is why they won’t be there today. And more so, why I’m not telling them the truth.

At least for now. It’s what’s best. I don’t want to lie to them, but even more, I don’t want them to have to lieforme. It’s not their job to protect my secret, so I’m telling them what Logan and I agreed last night was going to be our story. And most of it is actually the truth.

Or a version of.

Simply, we met months ago on a business trip. We ran into each other again just recently—after the photo was taken with him and Candace, since that was the last woman he was rumored to be with—and we’ve been inseparable since. And, because we are so in love, we decided why wait? We’re just two crazy kids who couldn’t wait another day to be Mr. and Mrs.

That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.

I’ve been panicking that something will mess this up. But Logan? He’s been nothing but amazing, easing my fears while also giving me a sharp dose of reality when I need to hear it. And yes, I know he’s getting something out of this too, but something in my gut is telling me that even if he didn’t need me, he’d still be doing this.

Now I just hope this will work.

As I navigate the streets of downtown Nashville, part of me still can’t believe this is happening. When I officially agreed to this yesterday, I didn’t realize we were going to do it in twenty-four hours. But it makes sense. Jayce is with his dad tonight—since Josh wants to be father of the year, he asked for another night and I agreed without a fight, mostly to keep him unaware that I have a counter to his master plan.

We’re not sure when Josh is going to file the paperwork, so we wanted to make sure this was done before I was served. And since I was going to be downtown anyway today for a consultation, I told Logan we could just meet at noon and get it over with.

Because “get it over with” is how every bride should describe their wedding day.

A few minutes later, I’m pulling into the Davidson County Courthouse. Like I’m getting ready for a new job, I do what I always do and close my eyes, take a breath—only this time, the mantra is a little different:

“You can do this. Be confident. Know you’re doing this for a greater good. Don’t fall in love with your husband.”

There. That seems like the right things to say as I get out of my SUV. Logan sent me a message that he was already here, so I make my way through the metal detector and head to the chambers of the judge who had a gap in his schedule and could proceed over the wedding on short notice.

I let myself take a few deep breaths as I head to the third floor. When the doors open, I’m shocked to be staring at Logan, who’s holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers and looking way too good in a black suit.

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