Page 36 of Somehow You Knew

She scoffs. “God, of course he did. Let me guess—fishing accident? Power tools?”

“Bingo.” I clear my throat. “So, I’m guessing your brothers don’t know the real reason we got married?”

She’s quiet as she turns onto Bayshore Drive, a road I recognize from when I was here as a kid. The houses on this street are the type you see in Hallmark movies—grandiose, picture-perfect dream houses with wraparound porches and ocean views.

“They don’t,” she admits, swallowing hard. “I was debating whether I should tell them the truth, but I guess Penn’s behavior made that decision for me.”

“Yeah, I mean, I’d love to avoid all of them threatening to chop my balls off if I break your heart. Although, I’ve gotta say, Penn’s power tools threat was both creative and terrifying.”

Hazel groans. “It’s Dallas you should really be worried about.”

I try to recall everything Hazel told me about her siblings and their significant others, plus their children…and something about geese? I actually made an effort to keep track because, for some reason, I care what these people think about me.

And that’s not sitting well.

Penn’s big brother speech and meeting Hazel’s mom made one thing perfectly clear—this marriage won’t just affect the two of us. Her entire family is going to be a part of this, too. And since I’ve never really had to worry about family opinions, I’m not too bothered by it. But I can tell that it’s bothering Hazel, and for reasons unbeknownst to me, I want to make this as easy on her as I can.

After all, we both agreed to this. We both stand to benefit. She shouldn’t have to take all the judgment alone.

“I can handle Dallas,” I say.

Hazel snorts. “Okay.” Patting me on the shoulder, she says, “Just let me know when your balls have fully retreated into your body after you’ve endured his big brother death glare for too long, and we’ll call it a night.”

“I’m sure my balls will be fine.” As the car comes to a stop, I take a look at the back of the house she just pulled up to. “Holy shit.”

“Yeah.”

“This place is incredible.”

Hazel turns to me. “It is, but there aren’t many places to hide, just so you know. And remember, the geese are territorial. Watch your back.” She takes a deep breath. “You sure you’re ready for this?”

I wipe my sweaty palms on my shorts. “As ready as I’m going to be.”

“I’m serious about leaving early if it gets to be too much, okay?”

“I’ll be fine, Spitfire. You sureyou’regoing to be able to handle this?”

She turns back to look at the house. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

Her lack of confidence doesn’t do anything to build my own, so I reach over and take her hand, lifting it to my lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it.

And fuck, was that a mistake.

When our eyes meet, Hazel’s appear darker than they were before. Her red painted lips are parted just slightly, and I swear I can see her pulse fire in her neck.

My dick sure likes the sight, and suddenly the issue I’m facing isn’t the inquisition looming from her brothers, it’s getting through this birthday party without a perpetual hard-on.

I can’t deny that there’s chemistry between us. Hell, I felt it that day in the coffee shop and even more so when I kissed her at our wedding. But we’re only a little more than forty-eight hours into this marriage, and I’m already fighting for control of the way my body reacts to this woman.

“We’ve got this,” I manage to croak out. “We’re a team, remember?”

Hazel laughs. “Since when?”

“Since we got married. That’s how it’s supposed to be, right?”

She eyes me suspiciously. “Yes, but our marriage isn’t exactly traditional.”

“Not romantically, no,” I interject, making sure I’m being clear. “But we’re the only ones who need to be okay with our choices. Fuck what anyone else thinks, okay? If they can’t support us and understand where we’re coming from, then we don’t owe them an explanation. Right?”

---