I want to tell her she doesn’t have to, and that I’ll support her, but after everything she’s been through, she needs to have her independence.
I’ll never make her feel like she’s forced into anything she doesn’t want to do.
So, I do the only thing I can in this moment—change the subject.
“How about we apply for the licence tomorrow and get married next weekend?”
Her eyes widen. “That quickly?”
“Sooner the better as far as I’m concerned. Let me do this for you.”
Emma’s gaze drops. “I don’t want you to do this because of him.”
“I’m doing it because of me.” I chuckle. “I’m a selfish son-of-a-bitch and I want you to be mine.”
She raises her eyes to meet mine. Panic flares in them. Shit.
I hold up my palms. “I’ll never be him. I know this relationship is going to be back to front, but I want to be your partner—not have some weird sense of ownership like Malcolm had.”
Her shoulders slump. “I know. It’s just hard to trust after …”
“I’m sure.” I cup her face in my hands. “I want you to feel like you’re not alone. My whole family has your back, Emma. We all want you to be happy and free.”
“I want to try.”
I place a soft kiss on her lips. “That’s all I need to hear.”
Twenty-Four
Emma
Chloe Emmerson is a whirlwind.
I know no one here well enough to help me organise a wedding at short notice, but Caleb’s sister was apparently over the moon when he asked her.
Before the barbecue, the last time I saw Chloe, she was eleven years old and she adored her big brother.
It’s clear that hasn’t changed.
I was happy to get married at the registry office as soon as we could get the license.
Caleb wasn’t happy with the registry office. He wanted something we could remember forever.
Chloe’s intervened and convinced both of us that she could organise our perfect day in a week. And as together as I always had to be for the sake of my children, she leaves me in her shadow.
But I’m content to sit back and watch—especially when on day two we get into a boutique to look at wedding dresses.
I don’t want something traditional, and it’s not like I have months to get anything made. But Chloe knows this city much better than I do now, and she’s like an excited child when we arrive in a shop full of gowns.
It’s so overwhelming.
She frowns once her initial excitement is over, and studies me closely.
“This is a little too much for you, isn’t it?”
I force a smile. “I’m okay.”
“I’m just so happy for you and Caleb. I remember what he was like when you left.”
