Page 16 of My Fiancé's Brother 2

“What does that mean?”

“I mean he didn’t accept my answer. He was adamant that we’re getting married.”

“Well, that’s an interesting approach.”

I leaned forward. “Beth. You know me. I have no boundaries. I’m a marshmallow that people just step all over. What chance do you think I have against a determined Navy SEAL?”

She gave an amused smile. “The more you tell me about this guy, the more I like him.”

“Beth. I’m serious.”

“I am too. He’s hot. He’s got his shit together. He’ll take care of you. And he wants to marry you. For better or for worse. You should give him a chance.”

“So the Jackson camp can count on your vote then,” I said dryly.

“Hey, anyone who isn’t Matt has my vote.”

I came homefrom coffee with Beth feeling more confused than ever. Part of me was wondering why I was even fighting Jackson on this, but another part of me, the part that loved him, knew why. I wanted him to be happy. Was that such a bad thing? Weren’t you supposed to make sacrifices for those that you loved?

Jackson: You around?

Me: Yes

Jackson: Are you ready to continue our conversation?

Heart in my throat and sweating hands I typed out my reply.

Me: Okay

I heard a vehicle door slam, and then feet were coming up the stairs two at a time. Oh wow. Two sharp knocks and then the door slid open. He filled the doorway. He stood there for a long moment and looked back at me.

“Hi,” I said, crossing and uncrossing my arms around my waist. I hated it when in a fit of nerves, I forgot what to do with my arms. I might as well wave a sign over my head shouting that I was nervous.

“You want to take Chloe for a walk?” he asked.

We walkedin silence the entire way down to the river. Chloe was deliriously happy. She ran tirelessly back and forth retrieving the ball that Jackson threw for her.

Finally, he spoke. “How are you doing?”

“I’m okay.”

His eyes dropped to my waist. “How are you feeling?”

“Normal. I get tired. And I have to pee about every ten minutes, but other than that, I don’t feel pregnant.”

“How did your talk with Matt go?”

“He’s starting to remember.”

“He mentioned that.”

I decided not to mention that Matt had also offered to still marry me.

I looked up at his face. “Do you think you and Matt will ever be friends again?”

He picked up the ball that Chloe dropped at his feet and fired it with power up the road. “Doubtful.”

My heart ached for him. This situation had broken something in Jackson’s life too. How much sacrifice did this man have to make on my behalf? I had been so determined to keep him around, I never once stopped and asked what it would cost him.

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