Page 32 of The Run Option

Jason shifts in his seat. I want to help him, but I don’t know how. I’m too busy floundering. This does not bode well for our future.

“That would be my fault, Mrs. Delmont,” he says, his voice deeper and more serious than usual. “I asked Willow to keep things under wraps so we could stay out of the media longer. My whole life is on display; I wanted something special for myself.” There’s a conviction in his words that rings true. “Do you takeme for a gossip?” Granny asks. I shoot her an admonishing look because I know she’d tell everyone I was dating pro football player Jason Kingsley.

“I didn’t tell my family either, ma’am,” he replies instead of answering her directly. “I’ll be telling my brother tonight after his game, and my parents tomorrow morning before my own. You’re the first to know.” He pauses. “Well, besides my agent, Brock.”

I’d forgotten that his brother played football too, at the same college Jason attended. There was a segment on SportsCenter about the two of them. It occurs to me that Jason must have missed watching his brother’s game to take me on a date tonight. Was that a sacrifice, or are they not that close?

“Are you close with your family?” Granny asks him, as if she read my thoughts.

“I’m close with my brother. My parents are good people, but they aren’t very affectionate. They made sure we had what we needed.”

Granny nods. “Okay, well something you should know is that the Delmonts are a tight-knit family. Willow’s parents may live in Canada, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t close.” She looks at me, her gaze inquisitive. “Which is why I’m not buying this little story of yours.”

I swallow, but straighten my back beneath her scrutiny. “I know it’s a strange story, but I hope you’ll approve of us anyway.” I grab Jason’s hand. He lifts our joined hands and presses a kiss to the back of mine. His lips are soft, barely brushing my skin, but the warmth that emits from that single touch cascades over my whole body.

I glance at him, but he’s looking at Granny Mae.

“You have my tentative approval, only because I trust your judgment, Willow.”

Guilt wracks my brain. I’m a terrible granddaughter. I should tell her right now that this is all fake, but I hold back. If something happens, she needs to be able to say she never knew our soon-to-be marriage was a sham.

“Thank you, Mrs. Delmont,” Jason says. “That means a lot.”

“Call me Granny. And don’t thank me yet, boy. Think of this as a trial period. If you treat my Willow right and I don’t find any funny business, then you’ll get my stamp of approval.”

I see Jason smile out of the corner of my eye. “Yes, ma’am. I promise to give Willow whatever she wants and more.”

“Don’t do that.” Granny waves him off. “The girl is spoiled rotten already.”

My mouth drops. “I am not!”

“You’re my only grandbaby, of course you’re spoiled.”

Jason tugs me closer to him. I’m not sure how I feel about all of this physical affection. We didn’t plan for this part.

“Well, I plan on keeping up what you started then. She deserves it.”

Though Granny said otherwise earlier, I can see the approval shining in her eyes. How did he do it? He didn’t even try to flatter her. I can’t believe she’s not pulling her gun on him, or at least pretending to clean it like Grandaddy used to say he would if I brought a boy home.

“You’re right about that. Now tell me about this impromptu wedding of yours. I want all the details. The first being, am I invited?”

Jason and her laugh together, while I sit in shock. Granny is the person I was worried the most about. If we can get this past her, then we might be in the clear. Next week Jason and I will get married, and everything will be settled. The only thing I’ll have to worry about is sharing a house–and a life–with Jason.

I take a shaky sip of coffee. That might be harder than getting everyone to believe us.

Chapter fifteen

Jason Kingsley

“Aren’t you a little too old to be playing pranks?” Shepherd asks over the phone.

I sigh, letting my head fall against the back of my couch. “This isn’t a prank. I’m engaged and getting married next weekend. Also, I’m only five years older than you, so that’s hardlyold.”

“Of course it’s not old! You’re twenty-three. Which is why it’s alarming that you’re getting married to a woman you haven’t even introduced to your family.”

“So now you believe me,” I say, and an exasperated huff crackles through the phone.

“Is something wrong? I know you too well to think that you’ve gone and gotten some girl pregnant, but–”

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