Page 54 of Forgotten Desires

She shakes her head.

“It’s because Daddy and Brynn are getting married.”

Her mouth falls open. “Today?”

We both laugh. “No, not today, but very soon. Brynn is going to live here with me and be my wife.”

“Forever?”

My heart breaks because it’s not said in sadness, more like hope. How do we tell her that we actually have an end date?

We can’t, and the idea of hurting her hurts me more than I can say.

I reach out, pushing her blond hair out of her eyes. “I’ll be here a lot. We can play and I would really like to be your friend, is that okay?”

She nods. “I like friends.”

“Me too.”

Layla giggles and hugs her dad. “I want to stay with you forever, Daddy.”

His eyes close and he pulls her tight to his chest. “I hope soon, Ladybug, I hope soon.”

I hope so too.

* * *

I’m standing in the beach house where I met Crew ten years ago. So much has changed since I was here last. In just a few hours, we’ll be married.

Everything in the last week has been a whirlwind and I swear the days bled together.

The day after we had Layla, our lawyer informed us that Jacqueline requested the court date be pushed back due to a medical condition she developed, which sent Crew over the edge. I’m hoping the judge will see through the game and not allow it, but . . . who knows?

Then, at my request, a prenup was drawn up, which the two of us signed. I wanted it to be crystal clear that we weren’t marrying for money. Not just for my own peace of mind, but also for any argument in the custody battle.

Now, I’m here, at my wedding, with a custom-made dress that was sewn in just six days, that I’m sure cost a fortune, but I wasn’t allowed to see any prices of anything. And I’m on the verge of a panic attack.

What the hell am I doing?

There’s a knock on the door and Phoebe peeks her head in. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I say with a smile.

My family got in late last night. Crew paid for Grady to fly everyone on a much bigger and fancier jet than he usually uses.

“Are you ready?” she asks.

What a loaded question. “Can I say yes and no?”

Phoebe laughs. “I would expect you’d be a little freaked out.”

“A little? I’m ready to pass out.”

She comes to me, taking my hands and pulling me to the sofa. “Do you want to tell me the whole story?”

I want to, but I can’t and won’t. Like Crew and I agreed, no one can know the truth behind it all.

“What story?”

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