Page 44 of Honeymoon Phase
“You kids go ahead and celebrate. I should be getting home.” She turns to make her way back to her car and Luke follows her, worry all over his face.
“I’m really sorry for not telling you sooner, Mom,” he drawls, looking like a lost puppy begging for a home. “It’s been such a whirlwind. We’re getting Roe moved into my place right now. We haven’t had a moment to breathe.”
She glances at the truck bed full of my belongings and offers him a weak smile. “Congratulations to you both.”
She turns to leave and Luke stands there looking completely destroyed. The sight of him devastated over hurting his mom is killing me to witness so I step forward, red Solo cup in hand and say, “Johanna?”
“Yes, dear?”
I swallow the knot in my throat, feeling all the Fletcher family eyes burning into me. “Um... Luke and I are planning a proper ceremony we want to do in a couple of months. My dad really wants to walk me down the aisle and everything.”
“Yes, he mentioned that. That’s so nice,” she says, opening her car door and holding the frame like she needs to get going.
“Yeah, um... I don’t know anything about wedding planning so I was wondering if you’d...” I lick my lips nervously, my hands sweaty around my cup as I cast a terrified glance to Luke. “Would you maybe help me with everything?”
Johanna stares back at me, her eyes as wide as saucers. “You want me to help you plan your wedding?”
“Only if you want to,” I rush out, terrified that maybe shehates the idea. “I’m just not really a girlie girl and have no idea where to start, but I could probably hire a professional if you’re too busy or—”
My voice is cut off as Johanna eliminates the space between us and crushes me in a big, giant hug, her arms trembling around me.
I hold my breath as my entire body tenses in her embrace and I stand there with my arms out, plastic cup in hand, refusing to hug her back.
It’s nothing personal really. I have the same trouble accepting affection from Edith. It’s just... one of my quirks. I’m not big on physical affection, especially when it comes to women.Raise your hand if you have mommy issues!
“I’d love to, sweetie,” she murmurs into my hair before pulling away, her eyes red rimmed as she smiles, looking genuinely happy for the first time since she came up here today. “This is going to be so much fun! You leave it all to me.”
“Thanks, Johanna,” I murmur through a forced smile.
“Call me Mom or Jo. Whatever feels right.” She chucks me under the chin and squeals before hugging me one more time. When she lets go, she cuts a menacing look to Luke, still obviously not ready to let him off the hook. But he looks mildly relieved when she turns around and says, “Pour me some of that champagne, Dakota!”
“You got it, Jo,” Dakota calls back and does as she’s told.
Luke sidesteps to wrap his arm around me. “I owe you big for that one, Roe,” he murmurs into my hair before pressing his lips to my temple.
A flush of heat spreads through me as he stands there, holding me like it’s the most normal thing in the world. And strangely, it does feel normal. Luke feels good to me. Comforting. A stark contrast to how I felt with Johanna’s affection. What the hell does that even mean?
“It’s the least I can do,” I croak quietly, and we both exhale aheavy breath and sip champagne on the mountaintop with his family, celebrating our happy union.
And it is happy... so far. This marriage is what I wanted to get the lumberyard, which is the bigger thing that I wanted. I can handle this Fletcher family. I can handle a little wedding planning with Luke’s mother. It’ll be a piece of cake. Wedding cake, that is.
Chapter 16
Fact or Fiction?
That’s a big cock.
Addison
Luke’s cabin is nice. Ten times nicer than my place. Nicer than any single male deserves honestly.
It’s a modern, cozy mountain chalet vibe with rustic natural wood touches all over. The main floor is an open layout with the kitchen and dining area on the right when you walk in and a sunken living area on the left. The walls on either side of the stone fireplace are framed with freshly chopped wood stacked all the way up to the ceiling, confirming what Luke said about staying warm in the winter.
Natural light pours in the front windows that provide stunning views of the mountainside and the small community of Jamestown down below. I went to the Mercantile once with Luke years ago now but haven’t been back since. I imagine we’ll be going more often now that we’re living together.
God, that’s so weird to say.
I’m moving in with Luke. I’ve never had a roommate in my whole life. I lived with my dad until I was twenty years old and went straight from his place to my one-bedroom apartment that I still have today. Hopefully living with my dad prepared me at least somewhat for this situation I’m walking into.
