Page 9 of Because You Loved Me

Noa tugged her hand out of Ryan’s grasp. “It’s too big.”

That was an understatement. The diamond Ryan had presented her with when they’d agreed to be married was ostentatiously big. A square-cut, three-carat solitaire, it made Noa uneasy wearing it. And not only because it was worth more than her vehicle. But also because of everything it represented.

“It represents our love, darling.”

Noa rolled her eyes at Ryan’s over-the-top sarcasm.

“I know, I know.” He wrapped an arm around her and squeezed. “But you really should wear it, at least until the wedding is over with.”

Over with.

That’s how they both felt about their upcoming nuptials. In any other circumstance, their overwhelming indifference to the fact that they were about to be legally joined in a marriage that neither of them wanted would be a huge red flag. No. It would be a parade of red flags accompanied by alarm bells blaring directly into their brains.

But there was no other circumstance, only the one that Ryan and Noa found themselves in.

She dropped her head backward and blinked viciously at the tears that had appeared out of nowhere. She wasnota crier. And even if she was, the time for crying was long ago. It was way too late for tears.

“Oh man,” Ryan groaned. “Don’t cry, Noa. I hate it when you cry.”

Her head snapped up. “I never cry.”

“Ha. Got ya.”

She smacked his arm lightly and laughed. But her laughter quickly turned to choking when, to her surprise, actual tears leaked from her eyes after all.

So much for not crying.

“Shit.” Ryan led her to the giant oversized couch positioned in front of the wood-burning fireplace. Noa downed the rest of her wine before letting him take the glass away. “If I didn’t know better, Noa, I’d think you didn’t want to marry me tomorrow. Don’t tell me you got cold feet?”

* * *

“We’re going to need a bigger dining room table soon.” Asher followed his brother Craig from the dining room and into the kitchen, carefully balancing a stack of dirty dishes. “I swear, this family gets bigger with every family dinner we have.”

“And that’s saying something, considering we do this every week.” Chase, the eldest brother, joined them, with the empty platter that held the remains of what had been a delicious roast beef. It had become the tradition for the men in the family to clean up after their weekly family dinners, while the women relaxed. As far as Asher was concerned, it was more than a fair deal. He’d way rather clean up than have to cook for such a big crowd.

“But hey,” Chase added with a laugh. “I’m not adding any more family members. At least not for a while.”

“Are you sure about that, brother?” Craig raised an eyebrow. “I saw the way Annie was looking at baby Poppy. She looks like she might be catching baby fever.”

Annie and Chase had been an item for just over a year since Asher’s eldest brother returned to Trickle Creek after spending most of his adult life estranged from the family. Their father’s will brought Chase back into their lives by forcing him to stay in town for a minimum of six months. It was also the start of what turned out to be special stipulations for all of them.

His turn was next, but there was no point in spending any energy wondering what his father had in store for him. He’d find out soon enough.

“Maybe it’s Asher’s turn next.” Symon Scott, Charli’s new husband, joined them in the kitchen, his arms full of yet another stack of dirty dishes.

“Keep dreaming, man.” Asher took the dishes from him and started to load them in the dishwasher. “Even if I wanted a girlfriend, which I don’t,” he added quickly, “I don’t have time.”

“Bullshit.” Craig called him out. “From what I see, you have plenty of time for women. Every time I bump into you around town or call you, you’re with a different woman.”

“That’s different.” He laughed, because it was true. “Those women are definitely not girlfriends.”

“I don’t buy it.” Chase stood at the sink. “It seems to me that it would be more work.”

“You guys all have it backward.” Asher shook his head. “You all are committed and that means spendingqualitytime together andtalking.” He used air quotes. “I get all the best parts of dating, without any of the time-consuming bullshit stuff. Win-win.”

Symon made some sort of snorting sound, while Craig only shook his head.

It was Chase who finally spoke. “As your older brother, I think it’s my duty to tell you something.”

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