Page 85 of Be My Wife

“Mom, please—”

“I never liked her.” Mom scrunches her nose. “And that was before I found out your grandmother set you two up.” She gives me a stern look. “I understand why you kept that from me. I would have never agreed if I’d known.”

“Do we really have to go down this road tonight?”

“I’m just saying. She suits you.” Mom slants me a teasing grin. “I’ve never seen you smile so much.”

“I don’t smile,” I argue gruffly.

“You do when you look at her.”

“I should take her to bed,” I say, placing my hands on Elizabeth’s waist as I try to figure out how I’ll carry her without waking her.

“Have you told her yet?”

I freeze.

Glance at Mom.

“Told her what?”

“How you got burned.”

I look away. Place my hands under Elizabeth’s knees.

She stirs but doesn’t wake.

“Have you told her about Steph?”

I wrap one arm around Elizabeth’s back and gently lift her up.

“Or Lana?”

My heart gives that familiar pinch.

Balancing Elizabeth in my arms, I hold her close.

She cuddles against me.

Presses her cheek against my chest.

Sighs contentedly.

I feel her warmth somewhere deeper than my skin.

Down to my soul.

Mom scoots to the edge of the seat. “Brogan, you need to tell her.”

I clench my jaw.

Reject the heat that’s trying to thaw my frozen heart.

“Goodnight, Mom.”

“How do you expect her to trust you if you don’t trust her?”

I stop, my back to my mother. “I don’t trust anybody.”

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