Page 24 of Let Me Love You

“Do you, Serenity Nolan, take Victor Barlowe to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, or for worse, for richer, or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

I inhale. I can do this. It’s only for a year. For Summer’s safety. Even for Mr. Barlowe.

“I do.”

A big breath escapes Victor’s parted mouth. He pulls me to him, and my mouth turns dry. In all the time we talked and prepared for this moment, I had forgotten about the kiss. His eyes search mine, seeking permission as if he too forgot about this until right now.

I give a subtle nod. I can survive one kiss without losing myself.

Victor’s eyes remain on me as he lowers his head, and his lips hover right above mine. My pulse is out of control as he hesitates, so I do the one thing I can to get this over with. I push onto my toes and press my lips to his, just a graze. His body stiffens for only a second before his hands go to the nape of my neck, and he tips my head back.

He pulls away with something swimming in his eyes. Is it confusion?

I jerk away. Our crowd claps, and someone eggs him on to kiss me more, but Victor laughs, keeping a hold on my hand, and leads me toward our friends and family. My breathing comes out ragged as Victor picks up Summer with his free arm. She beams up at him and says something softly that sounds suspiciously like “bubbles.”

Mr. Barlowe and Isabella work their way over to us. Before I can say anything, the older gentleman grabs my free hand gently and says, “Welcome to the family.”

I remind myself I’m not tricking a sick man. I’m helping his dream come true.

And just like that, I’m married again.

Chapter 11

Victor

After our fun in the tree house, the wedding ceremony, and then that kiss that’s haunted me ever since, I haven’t seen much of my new family. It has been an entire week, and Serenity dances around me like she’s at a competition and aiming for a gold medal. Or more accurately, she avoids me. If she enters the room I’m in, she exits with only a small smile. If she’s in the room first and I come in, she bolts.

At this point, I’ll never be able to bond with Summer. Or is that Serenity’s goal? She doesn’t want Summer to get too close to me considering this arrangement is temporary, but I’ve already made the decision I’ll never abandon her.

I sigh. Now, to convince Serenity of that fact.

“What has you so deep in thought, Son?” my father asks from his spot on the sofa.

I clear my throat. “Nothing. I’m only looking forward to the wedding. Mrs. Frederick’s one and only child is getting married.”

My father nods. “I wish I could attend with you. She has been a great ally over the years.”

“Please don’t worry about these kinds of matters. I’m capable of handling—”

My father grunts—in pain or because an argument is brewing, I’m not sure—and he says, “I know you’re capable, but you shouldn’t have to handle everything by yourself.” His dark eyes light up for a brief second. “That’s why I’m so excited you found someone to marry. And she sure is a spitfire. She’ll walk into battle with you for certain.”

A mixture of guilt and relief consumes me. I’ve never been big on deceiving, not even my parents, but I was so scared and desperate I wasn’t thinking properly. Now, I’m stuck with this lie for another fifty-one weeks.

Serenity’s beautiful face pops into my mind. Her green eyes are like a looking glass into her emotions—never hiding them. Her fierce attitude and her unwavering duty to protect her daughter. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman.

Too bad this relationship is all for show.

A nurse bustles into the room to check on my dad. She monitors his blood pressure almost every hour. If my mother were actually here, we wouldn’t have had to hire nurses for around the clock care. She’s always out at some party or whatever fancy has grabbed her attention.

Once the nurse leaves, my dad shifts his attention back to me. “The doctors told me as long as I cut out all the delicious, fried food, I’ll have more years.”

My heart swells. At this point, I figured he was in the clear, but hearing him say it is another matter entirely. “I’m glad.”

He looks around as if to make sure the coast is clear as I take a sip of water. “Now, tell me, when will your beautiful bride bless you with an heir.”

I cough, all my water spraying out of my mouth. “We haven’t talked about more children. Summer is our priority.”

And I mean it. Summer may not be mine by blood, but I will always do right by her. Even at the end of this.