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“Yes.”
I blink. “Yes, what?”
“Yes to both. A niece and a nephew. And if you want a big country wedding, then I’ll give that to you too.”
I blink again. “You’ve already thought about this?”
“I’ve thought about you for years.”
“You’re perfect,” I tell him, bringing my lips to his. “I don’t need any of that as long as I have you, but if you want one, then I say let’s do it.”
“We have time to figure it out.”
“True. Okay, let me get Everleigh and Katie on a group call so we can hear their squeals.” I chuckle.
Once I have them both on the line, I say, “You both there?”
“Yes,” they respond in unison.
“Aren’t you in Hawaii?” Everleigh asks.
“Did you murder Robert already?” Katie snickers, and I hold back laughter.
“I’m not in Hawaii,” I blurt out. They both start freaking out, and I haven’t even gotten to the exciting stuff yet. “Okay, listen. I have a bet going with someone, and I need your help with it.”
“Where are you?” Everleigh asks again, ignoring me.
“I’m at my cottage,” I tell her so she’ll calm the hell down. “Just wait, and I’ll tell you everything.”
She groans, growing impatient with every ticking second.
“So the bet is which one of you will freak out the most when I tell you this particular news. Okay, ready?”
“This is weird, Gem.” Katie blows out a frustrated breath. “But okay, I’ll play.”
I cover my mouth with my hand so they can’t hear my fit of laughter. Once I’ve calmed myself, I clear my throat.
“Robert’s and my marriage wasn’t real, which is why I’m not on the honeymoon, because I got married beforehand.”
The line goes silent, and I check the screen to make sure I didn’t lose them.
Finally, Everleigh speaks up. “You were legally married to someone else before the wedding?”
“Yes, that way I could get Robert to sign the deed over to me, and I didn’t have to actually marry him.
“That’s fucking brilliant!” Katie squeals. “You played him! I should’ve thought of that.”
“Wait!” Everleigh shouts between Katie and me laughing. “Who’d you marry?”
“Well, it’s someone I know you’ll both like…” I tease.
“Ruby?” Katie shouts.
I snort and make a mental note to have Tyler call her later. “No!”
Tyler’s dying next to me, trying his hardest to keep quiet.
“Oh my God…” Everleigh drawls out. “Did you marry my brother?”
“Hey, sis,” Tyler says.
“Holy shit!” Katie shrieks. “You and Tyler got married? No fucking way…”
“Are you serious?” Everleigh’s voice shakes, and I can tell she’s nearly in tears.
“Yep. He helped me come up with the whole plan. Got Robert out of town for a couple of days to get my shit back, put up security cameras, and scammed him into giving me the property.”
“That’s some genius shit right there,” Katie says.
“Are you guys staying married? Or…what’s going on?” Everleigh asks.
Tyler and I look at each other with stupid grins on our face. “We sure are,” Tyler responds. “I’m moving in with Gemma, and we’re starting our life together.”
“I have goose bumps!” Katie squeals.
“I’m so happy for you guys!” Everleigh’s full on crying. “And how dare you not tell me this beforehand! For two miserable fucking weeks, I had to watch my best friend make the worst decision of her life, and there was nothing I could do. I’d hate you both right now if I wasn’t so damn happy you’re finally together.”
“Sorry, we had to keep it a secret so there was no way Robert would catch wind of it before he signed on Monday.”
“Then I kept her hostage for two days to…” He pauses, waggling his brows at me, but I shake my head at him to keep his mouth shut.
“Yeah, yeah. To bang each other’s brains out.” Everleigh groans.
We talk and laugh for the next ten minutes before we end the call. I’m so happy, my heart feels like it’ll burst out of my chest.
“Who should we call next?” he asks.
“What about your friends Liam and Maddie?”
“Hmm.” He ponders it for a moment. “How would you feel about telling them in person? Maybe over Christmas?”
I instantly perk up. “I’d absolutely love that, Mr. Blackwood.”
“It’s no Hawaiian honeymoon, but I promise to give you everything you deserve. Including a real wedding ring.” He rubs over my bare ring finger.
“Being your wife is all I ever wanted,” I say truthfully. “The rest is just a perk.”
Our lips collide, and I taste the wine we had with dinner tonight. “I love you, Mrs. Blackwood.”
“I love you more.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
TYLER
SIX WEEKS LATER
“Good morning, beautiful,” I whisper into Gemma’s ear as she curls into my chest. The sunrise is barely over the horizon, but today, we’re flying to Sacramento to visit Liam and Maddie for a week. They have no idea Gemma’s joining me or that we’re married.
Maddie’s gonna lose her shit.
I’m excited to see both them and the kids.
