Page 82 of The Contract Marriage

“By the way, even if Liam did a civil ceremony with nobody invited—” Max begins.

“Prescott and Jeremiah came,” I add, since it’s better to disclose now than them finding out later.

Gideon looks like somebody just gut-punched him. “You invited the lawyers but not us?”

“Prescott was my guest,” Olivia explains.

“And Jeremiah was mine because she hooked me up,” I add, not wanting Olivia to take any blame. “We needed witnesses.”

“You guys met through Jeremiah?” Roarke asks in shock. “Did you guys sue first, then fall in love?”

Chuckling, Olivia shakes her head. “No, we met in college. Calculus class.”

“Aww, you connected over differential equations. That’s an unbreakable bond,” Xavier says.

“Clearly a basis for matrimony,” Gideon says.

“As it turned out, yes. But we also had some other courses together,” I say.

“But he proposed properly, right?” Max asks. “Didn’t rush it like he did with the wedding?”

A shy smile blooms over Olivia’s face as she lifts her hand.

Max covers her mouth. “Oh my God. That’s gorgeous!” She leans closer, and Olivia extends her hand so she can see better.

“Holy… Is that a ring or a weapon?” Xavier says.

“Both.” To keep assholes like Simon away.

“That’s the Rubedo,” Gideon says. “Son of a bitch.”

“Yup. And exactly what my wife deserves,” I say proudly.

“If the Rubedo was for the engagement, what was for the birthday?” Finn asks.

Olivia lifts her other hand to show off her pavé ring.

“Ooh, so pretty,” Max breathes.

“I’ll get you one, too,” Rhys says.

“Sorry, but it’s one of a kind. No more to be produced,” I say. “Can’t have a bunch of women wearing the same ring my wife does.”

“But you’re giving her all the best ones,” Rhys points out.

“Well, obviously. I do own the jewelry store.”

“You put all that work into the proposal, but never thought to hold a proper ceremony? Doesn’t your wife deserve one?” Roarke asks.

Of course, she does. If I had it my way, we would have had a huge wedding and invited everyone—especially Tyler and Simon so they could see how beautiful she looked with me at the altar—but that isn’t something I can say without drawing unnecessary scrutiny to Olivia.

“It isn’t Liam’s fault,” Olivia answers before I can think of a way to brush Roarke off. “I’m sure you saw the news about my half-sister’s wedding.”

“Sounded complicated, with that guy in the middle,” Xavier says, shooting her a sympathetic look. “What was his name? Trevor? Taylor?”

“Tyler. But Brielle wanted to marry him no matter what. So I let her have him, but I also wanted to get married and start a family. And then—as fate would have it—I ran into Liam.” She leans closer and props her head on my shoulder. “So here we are.” She lays her hand on my arm, the Rubedo facing my brothers.

Max purses her mouth. She has a serious problem with cheaters. My brothers all nod. But I can tell that they know there’s more to the story. Hopefully, Olivia won’t notice.