Page 66 of The Wedding Driver
Since allowing Tonya completely into his heart, he could no longer comprehend why Maxwell didn’t want his family around.
“I wanted to stop by my grandpa’s place and see how he is doing. Can you come with me?” Tonya asked.
“Why don’t I meet you there.” Foster was going to have to have a major heart-to-heart with Maxwell. “I have some errands to run.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind coming back.” She cupped his face. “You tossed and turned all night. I’m worried about you.”
He took her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I love you,” he whispered. “I’m going to be fine.”
“I love you too. But—”
He cut off her words with a passionate kiss. “My sleepless night had nothing to do with Victoria.” He’d avoided this conversation since Victoria’s death because it didn’t feel right. When they’d made love at six in the morning and she’d reached for the condoms, he obliged, but he hadn’t wanted to use them. Not because he didn’t like them, though that was true, but because he wanted the world with Tonya. They loved each other. They also knew each other better than most couples. He knew that to be a fact. They might have only been romantically involved for a few short weeks, but they’d loved each other for a long time. She was his north star. His way home. “How do you feel about not taking that damn pill?”
She tilted her head. “That’s playing an interesting game with our lives.”
“It’s no game,” he said. “Perhaps I’m crazy. Maybe being in love for the first time at my age has affected my judgment, but I don’t want to spend another second of my life without you in it and the idea of having a family with you—of being part of a family with you—makes me feel things I never thought were possible again.”
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Shit. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“I’m not sad. I might be in shock.”
He chuckled. “If things don’t work out this time, maybe we will wait a little bit, but I want to get married and I think having a couple little mini-mes would be cool.”
“Is that a proposal?”
“It’s not a very good one, is it?”
She palmed his cheek. “For us, it’s perfect. Only, you’ll have to pick someone to be the wedding driver for us because, while I don’t want a wedding other than with my family present, I want that boat ride.”
“Oh, I’m the only one who can be your wedding driver.” He kissed her, hard. “I’ll see you at your grandfather’s after your appointment.” He stood, lifting her off the bed.
She patted the center of his chest. “Text me when you’re on your way.”
“Will do.” He watched her stroll toward the staircase. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled, blowing him a kiss.
His heart dropped to the center of his gut.
Her grandfather was going to tell his family the truth of his illness today.
Or he was.
* * *
Foster set the glass of water on the table in front of Maxwell before sitting down with a soda for himself. He glanced at his cell. Tonya was ten minutes away.
“Victoria’s death has really affected you deeply.” Maxwell took the glass with a shaky hand, lifting it to his lips. The doctor’s visit had been eye-opening for Foster because he understood the depth of Maxwell’s illness.
Inoperable.
Terminal.
At most, three months.
“To be honest, I’m more relieved than anything else. I know that makes me sound like a jerk.”
“You weren’t responsible for her,” Maxwell said. “You did everything humanly possible to protect Victoria. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
