Page 2 of Oops I Fell For The Mountain Man Next Door

“Yep.” He stares off into the distance.

“Shouldn't you be at the rehearsal dinner or something?” I cross my arms and wait for his answer.

“The bride didn't want one—she's more interested in the bachelorette party.” Marx rubs the back of his neck, a sad smile on his face.

Wow, this sounds just like the bride we’re hosting this weekend. She also refused to attend the rehearsal dinner and instead demanded a male stripper for her bachelorette party.

"Do you love her?" I blurt before I can stop myself.

His head snaps up. "That's direct." Marx lets out a slow breath, his expression tightening.

“You came into my winery looking miserable the night before your wedding. We’re past pretending.” I brace a hand on the counter and keep my eyes on him.

He looks down at his wine. “No.” Marx runs a hand over his jaw, then meets my gaze. Just one word, no hesitation.

My heart gives an uncomfortable squeeze for a stranger I met twenty minutes ago. "Does she love you?"

"No," Marx says without hesitation, and a wave of relief washes over me.

"Then why are you getting married?"

“Because everyone expects us to.” Marx rubs the back of his neck, his face full of sadness.

"That's a terrible reason." I shake my head. Who in their right mind would think that is a good reason to get married?

“I know.” His tone sounds as deflated as he looks.

"You're saying that a lot," I call him out for his repetitive answer.

"Because you're right a lot." Marx lets out a slow breath.

"Careful.” I lean forward with a sly smile, trying to lighten the mood. “I'll get used to it."

That almost smile returns—then disappears. "Our families have been planning the wedding for a year. There are business relationships at stake. Hundreds of people are coming to be part of the wedding of the century."

"And?" I should stop pressuring him to tell me something that is none of my business, but something about this man makes me want to know everything about him, even though I can never have him.

He draws a slow breath before answering. "And I can't breathe when I think about what this wedding means to everyone but me."

The humor leaves me. Marx doesn’t have cold feet—he's terrified—not of the marriage, but of making the wrong choice and living with it forever.

This is none of my business, but the thought of him promising forever to someone he does not love makes my chest ache.

"You don't have to do it." The words fly out before I can stop them.

His gaze locks onto mine. "Everyone says I do."

"I'm not everyone." I cross my arms over my chest, silently wishing he'd fight for his future.

He looks at me as if I've just said the one thing nobody else has been willing to say. "You really believe that?"

"Yes," I answer honestly.

"What would you do?" His question surprises me. It really isn’t my business who he marries, but I can’t help wanting to make sure he doesn’t do anything he’ll regret later.

"If I didn't love the person?" I hold his gaze as he nods. "I wouldn't marry them."

Marx exhales slowly. “Even if everyone hated you for calling off the wedding?"