Marriage of convenience? It just doesn’t happen in real life, does it? I don’t know. I’m usually drama-free.

My hand falls to my stomach, and I try to rub away the burning sensation. The stress of the last few weeks is starting to affect me physically.

Is there something between Amelia and I? Yes.

Would I like to meet her and see if there’s any chemistry in person? Absolutely.

But I thought we’d start with a phone call, not a marriage proposal.

Discussion of our most recent book is completely forgotten now that I’ve told Olivia and Nicole about my expired visa, but not the marriage idea…

I’ll tell them—I’ll have to once I’m married—but for now, I’m going to keep that idea to myself.

“What?!” Olivia screams. “I swear, Adam, if you have any luck at all, it’s bad luck.”

“Seriously, Liv? Bad luck? He doesnothave bad luck,” Nicole retorts. “At least not normally.”

“That’s what I meant,” Liv says with a yelp. “This past month has been a lifetime of bad luck.”

“Gee. Thanks for helping me keep a positive outlook on things,” I scoff, rolling my neck to alleviate the gripping tightness.

“What did Finn say?” Nicole asks.

“What did Finn say about what?” I hear Steve yell, but I see Nicole wave him off before I hear a door close.

“He’s always so nosey.” She rolls her eyes, but her affection for him is obvious by the sparkle still in her eyes. “He says he doesn’t want to be a part of our book club, but then I always catch him eavesdropping.”

Nicole’s expression shifts when she looks back at me. Nicole and Olivia have worried expressions, and I wonder if I should’ve said anything.

“Of course, you should’ve said something!” Liv chastises me. “We are your family, and we’re here to support you!”

A snort escapes me, and I shake my head. “Are you sure Steve, you and I aren’t triplets?”

“Adam.” Nicole purses her lips and tilts her head bringing me back on topic. “What did Finn say?”

“Finn said the visa situation isn’t looking good.” I rub my hand up and down my face as their frowns deepen. “Tomorrow, he’ll have his assistant look into a few more ideas, but unless there is some kind of miracle, odds are I’ll be coming back to Canada.”

“That’s it?” Both Nicole and Liv are staring at me with eyes as wide as saucers, and all I can do is shrug.

“Wait. Isn’t there a way for a family member to put in a petition or something to help with citizenship?” Nicole puts a finger to her lip and taps. “I thought I heard something about that.”

“That’s one possibility. After I hear back from Finn I’m going to ask Steve, but the process can take up to a year or more.” I watch both of their faces fall and my stomach drops.

“Wait!” Liv’s face beams. The look in her eyes has me afraid of the thoughts going on in that head of hers. “Who is the girl you were talking to? You can ask her to marry you!”

I groan and roll my eyes. I knew that’s where she was going.

“There’s a girl?” Nicole shouts. “Why haven’t you told us about this?”

“There isn’t a girl.” I squirm in my seat and feel the heat creep up my face. At least, not in the conventional sense. Regardless, I refuse to even discuss this with them. “Not you too, with this marriage nonsense! Finn suggested it. I said no. I’m not getting married.”

“But you’re thinking about it,” Olivia teases, and Nicole nods, a bright smile lighting her face.

“It’s written all over you, Adam.” Nicole chuckles.

I groan again and rub my hand up and down my face. Why did I even bring this up with them? I should’ve known they were going to make it athing.

I peek through my fingers and find them staring at me, arms crossed. I laugh out loud and watch their faces pull into a frown, making me laugh harder.