As luck would also have it, Lila is running fifteen minutes late because of a work emergency, so I have plenty of time to reveal to my family the surprise guest I’ll be inviting.
And the reason why I’ve invited her.
I think about what I’m going to say as my family’s familiar loud chatter washes through me. Most of the time I find their noisiness oddly soothing, the way some people find thunderstorm sounds soothing I guess, but tonight my palms are sweating.
I tap my whiskey glass with my knife. Instantly, the chatter ceases.
I never do that.
They know something’s up.
They stare at me expectantly.
“I have an announcement to make,” I say.
“You’re retiring,” Tanner says instantly. “Finally.”
At the same time, Jonah, still in the middle of chewing on a breadstick, shouts, “You’re gonna play for the Montana Hawks and live in Marble Falls forever!”
“No, and no.” I’m still gripping the steak knife, and it feels slippery in my hands. “I’m getting married.”
There’s complete silence.
And then Tanner gives a dry chuckle. “Okay, bro. April Fools, har-dee-har. What’s this really about?”
“I’m really getting married.”
There’s silence. They all exchange glances.
Walker leans forward, elbows on the table. “Didn’t know you were dating someone,” he says in that velvety drawl of his, that voice that’s made him famous.
“I’m not,” I say.
“I knew it!” Tanner declares. “You got a mail-order bride. Makes sense. What was your pitch? That you have forty head of cattle, can chop wood, and speak in monosyllabic grunts only? What woman could resist?”
“She’s not a mail order bride,” I growl. “She’s my designer.”
Jonah’s eyes widen as he leans against Sadie. “I’m getting an auntie?”
Walker ruffles his son’s hair, still looking at me through narrowed eyes. “Seems so.”
Rafe frowns. “I thought you said your designer was an older lady?”
“Never said that. That’s just what you all assumed.”
Dad is leaning back in his chair, eyes twinkling. “Lila Interiors, hmm? I did some checking up on that, did I mention? Miss Lila Sherwood. Very talented young lady. And my new daughter-in-law to-be you say?”
“Yes, but.” I take a breath. I was nervous but excited to tell them about the marriage part.
Now comes the weird part.
Over the next few minutes, I explain the arrangement Lila and I will have. About her trust fund. That this will be a marriage of convenience. Not real.
More silence. I watch Sadie and Walker exchange a look in which a silent conversation seems to pass between them. Sadie just takes a healthy drink of wine while Walker drums his fingers on the table.
“Slade,” Walker says at last. “Have you lost your fuckin’ mind?”
“Language, Dad!” Jonah chirps through another breadstick.
