We dropoff Olive at Mrs. Harriet’s, much to my daughter’s cranky dismay. But I need a clear head to do this. Plus, it was Mrs. Harriet’s idea. To give…Iris and I time to adjust to what is going to become our new normal.
I promised Olive we’d pick her up for dinner. Iris chimed in that she’d be cooking something special. I wasn’t expecting her to cook. I almost turned it down, but she gave me a look that warranted no argument. Already, she’s playing the wife card perfectly.
Wife.
I rub my forehead, willing the growing tension to back off.
This wasn’t the plan. She wasn’t who I chose. If her sister flaked, what’s to say it’s not a family trait and this young woman won’t bail on us when shit gets hard and I’m unbearable?
Damn it!
I walk off toward the restrooms in the courthouse lobby. Iris went to freshen up as we wait for our witnesses, Keith and his wife, Laura.
Olive is already half in love with Iris. Backing out now will rain a temper tantrum of the century. I’ve already introducedthis stranger, this woman, into her life. I got her permission to legally bind ourselves to her. The whole point of doing this is to bring stability into Olive’s life. So punking out now will do the exact opposite.
I pace the back hall when one of the restroom doors opens. The momentum of my steps doesn’t help me stop before I collide with the very woman I vowed never to touch an hour ago.
“Oh,” she gasps as we crash.
My back smacks into the wall as Iris’ small frame settles against me. Her hands are at my chest, our hips flush. Both of us heavily breathe out as those hazel eyes look up at me in surprise.
My hands hold her small waist, and damn it to hell, that wildflower scent settles something warm and pleasant in my gut.
“Are you okay?” she asks softly.
Why the fuck are you staring at her berry-stained mouth?
Clearing my throat, I will my hands to straighten her away from me, but neither one of us moves.
“Pardon?”
“You were wearing a hole in the ground back here. Could hear your burly stomps from inside…cold feet already?”
My fingers involuntarily flex, and she feels it. The sharp intake of breath tells me so. But still, she doesn’t leave my arms.
“Last chance to back out,” I grunt, desperate for her to make the decision so I don’t have to.
Those large eyes hide nothing. She studies me, which churns my gut unnervingly. Instinctively, I hook the strand of hair attached to her lip out of the way.
What the hell are you doing?
Unfazed by it, she purses her lips, then tilts her head.
“Let’s go get married.”
My lungs burn on the inhale. Opposing emotions race through my veins—burning coals and a cooling rushing river.
Memories of being twenty-six and saying I do.
The morning that changed our lives.
The evening my whole world was introduced into the world, holding onto my finger.
And now…the first spark of attraction since Gillian. And the gnawing guilt it brings me.
“Ellis? You sure you can go through with this?” she asks.
Needing to breathe, I gently push her body off mine until enough space separates us for me to step away. I turn away, resting my hands at my hips, and breathe in anything I can except for that hypnotizing scent.
