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I want to spend the day and night with Kate, and we'll deal with this fallout later.
"Okay, we promise not to get married today," I say in my firmest voice. "And we're really sorry we didn't let you two in on this. We wanted?—"
"We wanted something low key. We didn't want to bother anyone, considering everything else that's going on," Kate interrupts, finishing my sentence. "Our relationship is a little?—"
"Complicated," I add. "But I would like a night away with Kate so we can discuss our future. If that's okay with you, Mrs. Cooper."
It never hurts to be a gentleman.
Kate's mom laughs. "Of course not. You two go have fun. But not too much fun. Save some of that for the wedding."
"Right. While we're away, we'll talk about, um, everything." Kate chews on her plump bottom lip, and even in this stressful moment, a big part of me wants to kiss her. "When we get back we'll have some ideas."
"And dates," trills Ma.
"Yeah. Those." Kate stands up and edges away from the table. She looks to me. "You ready?"
I stand up, and it's as if the two of us can't get out of here fast enough. By the time I grab Kate's bag and we're at the front door, Ma and Mrs. Cooper are at the table sharing donuts and coffee, and I suspect, planning our future.
And even though I don't want to sit here all day and talk about wedding stuff, I'm surprisingly unbothered by the fact that our families now know about our plans.
I'm grinning wide as we drive over the bridge to the mainland.
kate
. . .
"I'm so sorry.I never imagined she'd find the marriage license application. Why are you smiling like that?"
We're in Damien's Range Rover—not his Dad's wagon—and speeding up the Interstate toward Tampa.
He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. "I'm happy."
I frown. "I thought you'd be upset that they know."
He shakes his head. "I have nothing to hide."
I close my eyes and groan. "They looked so happy, the two of them. And it's so difficult to call it off now. They've probably planned the entire thing. Jesus. We didn't need this."
"No, we didn't. But we'll get through it. I don't want to call it off."
My eyes snap open. "You want to go through with this? Have a whole ceremony and reception? Doesn't that seem a bit much?"
Wow, that sounds harsh. I pull my hand from his.
"I'm grateful to you, for wanting to do this for me. You're incredible. But I don't want to lead our families into thinking that we're married."
"A little late for that, don't you think?" Damien strokes hisstubble, and his grin fades. I'm certain I've upset him somehow. This is going sideways.
I twist my fingers together. "What's going to happen when—if—you get back and our relationship..."
It's too difficult to even say the word, so I stare out the window.
Ends.
"Why don't we see how it goes? See what shakes out in a year."
I turn to gape at him. "What do you mean by that?"
