Page 37 of Axe-identally Married
I swallowed thickly, ignoring the pinch of pain that came with that comment. “I’m more than a dumb jock.”
“I know that,” she said, her tone nothing but serious, instantly bringing my mood back up. “Jeopardyhas this special place in my heart. During my internship, I used to record it and then watch at two a.m. when I got off shift at the hospital. I’d make ramen and then let Alex Trebek lull me to sleep.”
“I miss him.”
“We all do.”
After the show ended, we took our plates to the kitchen, where Willa insisted on finishing the dishes. “This was amazing. But you don’t have to make dinner for me all the time.”
“Eh.” I shrugged. “I like it. Makes me feel useful. It was a weird day. There’s a lot going on at the Timber company, and I want to help, but there’s not a lot I can do.”
She put the last dish in the dishwasher, then turned toward me, drying her hands. “Wanna talk about it?”
Based on the concern in her eyes, it wasn’t a throwaway line. I had the feeling if I needed to unload, Willa would listen. But I didn’t want to relive all the drama of the last few years.
“Not really. Basically, yet another situation where my brothers have everything covered, and I’m the chump who doesn’t get it.”
She squeezed my forearm. “I’m sorry. And for the record, I think you have a lot to offer. If you just keep showing up, sooner or later, they’ll realize it too.”
I busied myself putting the leftovers in the fridge, ignoring how good those words made me feel. She was right. Showing up mattered. And although they may not want me there, I wouldn’t stop. I’d come and offer my support, no matter how insignificant it may be.
“I have practice tomorrow night,” I said after the kitchen was reset. “I made extra, so feel free to heat up the leftovers after work.”
“My hero.” She beamed up at me. “Also, my parents invited me over for dinner on Wednesday, so don’t worry about feeding me then.”
“I’m coming with you. You don’t have to face them alone.”
“It’s not like that,” she sighed. “I’m not going up against a firing squad.”
Head tilted, I eyed her. “We’re a team now, so I’ll be there. Tell me what kind of flowers your mom likes.”
“Tulips,” she replied without missing a beat. “And thank you.”
I closed the distance between us and covered her hand with mine. “I know this is not a traditional marriage,” I said, my eyes locked with hers, hoping she could sense my sincerity, “but I’m still gonna be a good husband. I probably won’t get it right most of the time, but I’ll try.”
She watched me intently, and in the moment of silence that followed, something passed between us. Trust, maybe? There was only one way for this marriage to be successful on our terms, and that was by going all in.
“Besides,” I said, pulling away and putting some distance between us—I needed to go to my room and stay there, because I was not comfortable with the warmth that had engulfed me when we were so close—I cleared my throat and pushed away the sensation. “I feel like this marriage is gonna work out. We’re gonna crush it.”
“Seriously?” She chuckled. “We’re one day in.”
“Yeah, but you’re cool, and I’m cool. Plus, we haveJeopardyin common. Some marriages start with even less.”
Chapter Thirteen
Cole
What does one wear when “meeting”—because I’d known them my whole life—the parents of the woman they drunkenly married in Vegas? The woman they’d embarked on a marriage of convenience journey with?
If anyone could crush a marriage of convenience, it would be Willa. From what I could tell, she had an incredible ability to compartmentalize.
We’d gotten along well these past few days. Granted, we’d only seen each other while we worked out in the mornings and watchedJeopardyat night before I went to my room to knit and listen to audiobooks and she read her medical journals.
So far, it was easy. Honestly, it would probably be a very enjoyable six months. I was more energized and motivated than I had been in years.
Willa could be trusted to stay the course too. She wasn’t the type to break rules or cross the line.
I was the weak link here. The guy who’d never met a line he didn’t want to cross or a rule he didn’t want to break.
