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“Well, I haven’t said yes to getting married. I’ve only agreed to be engaged.”
“You know we love you and we’ll support you no matter what you decide to do, right?”
“I appreciate you saying that. I don’t think Mom and Papa are going to be very thrilled if they figure things out. I mean... they understand about wanting to be a parent and all, and they love Josh. But they wouldn’t like us getting married if they knew we were planning to get an annulment. That’s why I don’t want to do it. But I don’t want to let Josh down, either.”
“Why would you get an annulment? Why can’t you just try to make the marriage work?” Emily argued.
Olivia gave a hearty laugh. “I just don’t think it’s possible. We don’t love each other like that. He’s more like a brother to me. It was all I could do not to slap the heck out of him when he kissed me at the reception.”
Emily’s heart broke for her. She must feel desperate if she’d lost all of her physical attraction for Josh. “Then I don’t think you should get married at all, Olivia. You shouldn’t marry him if you don’t love him, no matter what. We’ll all be there for you.”
“Yes, but who’ll be there for Josh? I mean, he’ll be devastated.”
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“He can still be a father. And someday you’ll both meet the right person and marry someone you love. I’m sure when he meets the right girl, she’ll be accepting of him already having a kid. And you’ll meet someone who loves you like that as well. Someone who wants to be with you for the rest of your life, and not just for a year.”
“Believe me, I want that. I plan to have that someday. That’s why I decided to only commit to the engagement for now.”
“Olivia, are you sure you can’t make a marriage work? What if you both really committed to it? Maybe if you talked with a counselor?”
“I don’t want you to judge Josh harshly on this. He’s really trying to be considerate because he knows I don’t love him like that. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but he even offered to pay for my medical school if I would marry him for a year.”
Emily gasped in horror. “You aren’t going to do it, are you?”
“He didn’t even understand why a girl would be offended with a proposal like that. He said it was a business proposition.” Olivia surprised her by laughing.
“Ohmygosh!”
“That’s why I feel sorry for him. For such a big player, he’s totally clueless about women.”
“Well, you just remember we love you—both of us. And we’re not going to judge you no matter what decision you make. And if you need help, we’ll do anything we can.”
“Thanks, Emily. I’m just relieved to finally have someone to talk to about it.”
“Are you gonna tell anyone else?”
“I’m planning to talk to Grace and Brad when they come back from the honeymoon. But I’m swearing them to secrecy. Josh wants everyone else to believe we’re engaged because we’re in love. And he’s still trying to convince me to marry him. So don’t tell anyone else. Okay?”
“Sure. We won’t say anything until you’re ready. But you’re feeling okay?”
“I’m really tired, and I’ve been pulling some long shifts. But I’m okay. And honestly, since I’m probably not going to get married and have my medical school paid for, I need the extra shifts. Not that I would ever let him give me that kind of money, anyway. It just feels wrong.”
“I totally agree. Just remember we’re behind you, okay? And be careful you don’t overdo it. We love you.”
“You, too.”
Emily hung up the phone and turned to face her husband. “Spencer, I hope she doesn’t marry him.” She decided not to tell him about Josh’s proposal to pay for medical school in exchange for Olivia marrying him. Spencer was already angry enough with Josh.
“I should’ve decked him when I had the chance,” he grumbled.
“But she doesn’t love him—she told me so. Even if he wanted to stay married forever, she doesn’t feel that way about him.”
“I don’t get it. Why would she sleep with him when she doesn’t even love him? That just doesn’t seem like Olivia.”
“I know. I’m as surprised as you are. She always seemed so levelheaded where guys were concerned. I can’t believe she let herself get physically involved with Josh, when she obviously doesn’t even care about him.”
A goofy smile bloomed on Spencer’s face. “I’m going to be an uncle.”
