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I had a feeling that whatever Jacquie was about to say was the real reason that we were here, together.
“I’m glad that you seem to make my son happy, but I hope you understand what a big commitment marriage is, because it’s hard to be trapped in a loveless one,” she told me, and I thought of what Logan had told me about her past, and his father’s infidelities that must have made Jacquie feel incredibly lonely.
Sympathy washed over me, and her clear suspicion the night we met made sense now. She and Logan might not have had the best relationship, but he was still her son, and she cared about him. She didn’t know this was fake and didn’t want to see him enter into a marriage that was going to cause him heartache.
“Don’t worry,” I assured her. “I won’t hurt him.”
Because Logan wore his emotions like armor, and I wasn’t sure that I could, even if I tried.
CHAPTERELEVEN
Logan
Holy shit. It was my wedding day.
Unbelievable. I never thought this day would come. I had no interest in commitment or tying myself to one woman for the rest of my life, so why would I ever get married?
Yet, here I was, standing under a wooden floral arch in my backyard in a double breasted tuxedo and waiting for my bride to appear. I was throwing away my freedom as a bachelor, which made my stomach flip-flop. This was huge and life changing.
Except that wasn’t true. I reminded myself that this wasn’t real. I would be free again in a matter of months.
What I couldn’t understand was why the thought of parting ways with Mia once I’d gained the company didn’t bring me any comfort.
Hayden and Dylan were at my side, standing up here with me as groomsmen while the rest of our family sat in folding chairs on the lawn. Mia’s mom was here too, as well as a few of her closest friends. The small, intimate affair had really come together well, considering how quickly it was planned.
There were twinkling lights like Mia wanted and cake and music playing from a Bluetooth speaker. Rose petals made an aisle, and there was a photographer snapping pictures.
“Hey, man,” Hayden said, immediately capturing my attention because of how uncharacteristically serious he sounded.
I turned to look at him, but kept an eye on the backdoor of the house in my peripheral vision. I didn’t want to miss Mia’s grand entrance.
“Are you sure about this?” Hayden went on in a whisper. “Maybe there’s another way for you to inherit the company. Maybe we can all talk to Grandpa, make him realize that this idea of his is antiquated and ridiculous.”
I almost couldn’t believe my brother was waiting until now to ask me this. Except, it was Hayden, and he had a tendency to take nothing seriously until he had no choice. It drove me crazy.
“I’m sure,” I said in a low tone to keep the conversation between the two of us. “It’s what grandpa wants, and considering he doesn’t ask for much and he’s not going to be here much longer, I can at least honor this request of his.”
I clung to that narrative. I hadn’t told my brothers about the feelings I was starting to have for Mia, because I didn’t understand them myself. But now that I’d agreed to marry her, and make her my wife, those emotions were getting stronger, and it was like nothing I’d ever felt before.
I wondered if I always somehow knew that she was special. I’d tried so hard to fight my attraction to her over the past two years, burying that desire beneath my gruff, standoffish demeanor, but I could never stop being so drawn to her. She’d gotten under my skin just by being there every day, not taking my crap and smiling at me with a sparkle in her eyes, the one I was becoming obsessed with seeing.
I’d seen that sparkle on the night we slept together, and my chest tightened as I remembered how perfect she’d felt in my arms that night. How she was someone I wanted to wake up to every morning, with my sole purpose of making her happy.
Shit.Maybe thiswasa bad idea. Not because I didn’t care about her, but because I was starting to care too much. How could I fake this relationship and keep my head on straight with real emotions in the mix?
But then, the back door of my house opened and Mia stepped out. My breath left me. She’d never looked so beautiful.
The gown she’d bought fit her just right, accentuating her curves, and she was carrying a bouquet of the purple flowers that she picked out. Her hair was down around her shoulders in loose curls, and her make-up was flawless. Pink lips, rosy cheeks, and shimmer eyeshadow.
I couldn’t look away from her face. Her smile was radiant. She played the part of my bride perfectly, somehow managing to glow with happiness.
I had the idle thought that she would be a real bride someday, when she found a man that wanted to be with her forever. That thought shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did and I had to push it to the back of my mind to get through the ceremony.
I was supposed to be a smitten groom, after all.
When Mia reached me, we went through the ceremony, holding hands and repeating the standard vows. I slipped a wedding band on her finger and she did the same to mine. I felt the strangest swelling of pride as it slid into place.
Then, the nuptials were over. I pulled her close and kissed her in front of everyone, sealing the deal in a way that made my blood run hot. Every time I kissed her, my body roared to life. Would it always be like that between us?
