Page 38 of Her Athlete's Wedding Secret

Her dad appeared at her side. “Hi, Daddy.” She hugged him.

“Hello, Jim,” her mom said. Her body was stiff, and her smile forced. Her parents hadn’t stood face to face since her high school graduation.

“Hello, Amanda,” her dad said to her mom. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been fine.”

Tessa could tell her mom was terrified to face her father again.

“Tessa!” she turned to see her new in-laws greeting her. “We’re so glad to have you in the family now.”

Tessa knew that Benson had told his parents the truth about their wedding. He was close to both of them and didn’t want to keep them in the dark. But he’d told them that they had to keep it a secret and pretend for the cameras and everyone else around that they thought Tessa and Benson were in love.

“I’m glad to be a part of the family too.” She meant it too. Benson’s parents were good people. They were stable and happily married, and they lived in New Jersey, not that far from Benson.

His two sisters approached and hugged Tessa, one by one. “I’m so glad to have you as my new sister,” Marcie said.

“I feel the same way,” Heather said. “You’re one of us now.”

“Thank you,” Tessa said. “That means a lot to me.” Tessa felt an overwhelming feeling of happiness having these two women accepting her so openly. She’d never had siblings before, and it was a new experience to have stable, happy family members.

Her dad was stable and relatively happy, but he hadn’t been a big part of her life for a long time. He lived in Michigan, and they only talked occasionally. She hoped to change that and have him in her life more. She’d been so entrenched in her mom’s life and constantly trying to rescue her that she’d forgotten to reach out to her dad more. He didn’t reach out to her much, and they’d grown comfortable with the way things were between them.

The photographer had them pose for some pictures at various spots around the lovely grounds around the mansion. Pose after pose, the photographer had Tessa and Benson kissing or noses touching or bodies crushed together. When they were finished, Tessa’s head began to spin. Benson was a deliciously handsome man. She could get used to putting her hands all over him.

“You’re having fun with this, aren’t you?” Benson asked.

“Yes. Can you tell?”

“You’re smiling.”

“This day has been perfect.”

Benson’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Good. That’s what I was hoping for.”

“You’re a sweet guy, you know that?”

“You’re a sweet girl.”

Tessa had the sudden urge to kiss her husband, but she couldn’t allow herself to get carried away. She didn’t want to get her heart involved any more than it already was. She could feel it begging her to allow her to lose herself in her developing feelings for this man. But that was a dangerous thing. Because she knew her love would be one-sided.

“I need to go find something to drink,” Tessa told him. “My mouth feels dry.”

“Do you want me to get you something?” Benson asked.

“No, I can just grab something from the bar.” Tessa headed into the ballroom where the bar was set up. “Can I get a bottle of water?”

“Of course.” The bartender opened a fridge and pulled her out a chilled bottle.

“Thank you!”

“Oh, there’s the lovely bride right there!” Mrs. Wheaton, the town gossip trotted up to her. She was Aubrey’s mom, and both of them tended to be a bit nosy.

“Hello there,” Tessa said to her.

“Don’t you look radiant!” Mrs. Wheaton wrapped her arms around Tessa in a hug. She smelled like raisins and musky perfume.

“Oh, thank you. That’s so kind of you to say.” Tessa wriggled from her embrace.

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