Page 28 of The Run Option

“I think you’re much too smart and successful for them to be disappointed in you for long, if at all. And if it helps, you can pin it all on me. Say that I asked you to keep it quiet. They can hate me, I don’t mind.”

The corner of her mouth lifts in a hesitant smile. “You’d take all the blame for me?”

“Of course,” I say, and I mean it. While this arrangement is benefiting her too, I don’t want her to suffer through it. “I want all of this to be as painless as possible.”

“I appreciate that,” Willow says, her smile widening a fraction. “Truth be told, my granny already likes you from the videos we make. And her approval will sway my parents.”

I grin. “It sounds like there’s hope then. I’ll be sure to charm my way into her good graces.”

“Granny sees right through charm, but I think she’ll appreciate the flattery of you trying.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, we’ve got part of our story.” I pull my hand away, sitting back in my chair. “What about our proposal?”

“What, you don’t want people to think you proposed in a conference room?” she asks with a laugh.

“It wouldn’t be believable to anyone who knows me. I’m too much of a romantic.”

She raises a skeptical brow. “Is that so? Then how would you propose?”

“I’d choose some place with meaning. A place you love more than anywhere else. I’d take you there, and I wouldn’t do anything over the top. I’d simply look in your eyes.” Our gazes lock. “Then I’d tell you how I couldn’t take one more breath without you as my wife and ask you to put me out of my agony and marry me.”

We don’t speak for a moment. I lose myself in the smoky gray of her eyes, content to float in this moment. To pretend that I did propose that way and we’re celebrating over dinner.

“There’s a willow tree at my granny’s house,” she whispers. “But she’d know that you didn’t propose there.”

I nod slowly, taking in this piece of information and tucking it away for later. “I’ll come up with a place that makes sense. How about we pick a date?”

The uncertain expression she wore before is back. “Next week is a bye week, right?”

I nod. “It is. The next one isn’t until December.”

“That’s cutting it close to the date I have to return to Canada. We should probably do it next week.”

Willow twists her engagement ring, the diamond sparkling beneath the warm glow of the candlelight. The urge to take her hand again comes, but I stifle it. I can’t push her too much.

“Next week it is. If I had to bet, Brock is going to say we need pictures. This can’t just be a courthouse wedding. It needs to look like a planned elopement.”

Right as I’m finishing my sentence, the waiter walks up with our food. We both ordered the chicken piccata, which was a nice coincidence. It’s something we have in common when it feels like our similarities have been few and far between.

“Thank you,” I tell the waiter with a smile, and Willow repeats the sentiment.

“Maybe we could elope at the botanical gardens?” she suggests.

I pick up my fork and swirl it in the pasta, hoping that my eating will encourage her to do the same. She picks up her fork too and I smile.

“That sounds perfect to me. Do you know any photographers?” I ask, and Willow nods while chewing a bite of food, her hand covering her mouth.

“I can make a few calls. I’m not sure about buying a dress on such short notice, but I guess it doesn’t have to be all that formal since we’re eloping.”

“Whatever it is, it’s on me. I’m sure you can expedite the process if you pay more.”

“Speaking of money.” She sets down her fork, then meets my gaze, anxiety emanating off her. “How are we handling that? And our living situation? It’s not like we can live separately. People are bound to find out.”

“I meant what I said in the text. What’s mine is yours. I’ll give you a credit card to use in the meantime, but once we’re married you’ll be on my accounts.”

She shakes her head. “That’s too much. I don’t need that.”

“It’s nonnegotiable,” I say firmly. “My wife isn’t going to pay for anything on her own.”

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