by Zoe York
“Lil? Is that okay?” Ethan asked, consulting her.
She gave a fast nod.
“I’ll give you the boilerplate version I give all business owners, as I heard you two want to get moving on a wedding date. Then, if you want to modify it later, we can do that at no extra charge.”
“Thanks,” Ethan said.
“Is the date set? I’m sure the town will be eager to see you two walk down the aisle.”
“We might elope,” he admitted uncomfortably.
“Well,” John said with a chuckle, “if you manage to get that past your stepmother, Ethan, you’re a better man than I.”
Lily smiled. Trish was a force to reckon with at times, that was for certain. When she believed in something she had a way of digging in her heels. For example, she’d decided years ago that Lily needed to know how to grocery shop and had taken her to the store several times, filling her head with knowledge about the best cuts of meat, how to tell whether fruit was ripe and more. She’d also let her buy whatever ingredients she thought she might need for a recipe, turning her kitchen over to the teen as if she was Lily’s own mother.
John turned to Lily. “You’re okay with purchasing the two culinary businesses at today’s market value, while Ethan keeps his web company if you two choose to part ways?”
She nodded.
John scratched his head, looking at them. “I must admit this is quite unusual.”
If he caught on, so would suppliers. She’d lose the ability to run the business and turn a profit before she even had it. In other words, she’d spend another year working for someone else, with nothing to show for it but exhaustion and a mountain of debt.
“It’s fair. They’re his, but I’ll be taking them over,” Lily said calmly.
John turned to Ethan. “The market value may increase.”
Ethan nodded. “I’m sure it will with her at the wheel.”
“It could also go down,” Lily pointed out.
The lawyer seemed uncomfortable as he looked from Lily to Ethan, then back again. “So we’re good then?” he confirmed. If he suspected something, he didn’t let on. “I’ll add a clause about kids and a boilerplate POA and you’ll be set.”
Lily leaned back in her chair as John typed in the clauses and hit Print.
That was it.
No fighting.
Exactly what they’d agreed, plus two things.
But kids? The very idea shot a thrill right through her. She smiled at Ethan, knowing she was getting her hopes up.
John gave her a wink. “I’ll go grab the copies.” He left the room.
Ethan had a faraway gaze as he turned to her. “Are you going to serve that meatball soup?”
“Meatball soup?” What did that have to do with adding a clause about babies?
“The one you and Mandy used to make when you were teenagers.”
“Oh! Right. That was pretty good, wasn’t it?” Fond memories flowed through her. The soup was definite comfort food that would be delicious with a warm, crusty bread. Maybe add a side of salad and a slice of rich chocolate cake for dessert. “I might have to see if I can find the recipe.”
“Mandy still has it. She makes it now and again.”
“For her café?” Nuts. So much for using the recipe—she couldn’t take a recipe from her friend.
Ethan shook his head. “Just when I fake a funk and she wants to pull me out of it.” He gave Lily a secret smile that lit her up from toes to nose. Those smiles were rare and special—always had been.
“Should I add it to the menu?” Her earlier apprehension was melting like snow off a black roof. She curved toward Ethan, curious what his thoughts were.
“I think there’s always room to add more—or introduce new things as a weekly special to test them out.”
Lily reached over, tangling her fingers in Ethan’s as John reentered the office. This time, instead of looking startled, Ethan gave her a slight smile that warmed her insides like homemade jam.
“You know, I have a feeling you’re not going to need this,” the older man said, sliding the documents, still warm from the printer, toward them. “And not to brag, but my gut is usually right about couples.”
Lily pointedly kept her eyes lowered as they scrawled their names on the indicated lines, then swapped copies before doing so again.
Done.
She could hardly believe it. In one year she was officially going to own a restaurant as well as a catering business.
John gave them a smile as he stood to shake their hands, offering them congratulations.
For the first time, Lily felt as though they truly might be able to pull this off.
“No,” Ethan repeated to his stepmother. Trish had her mouth set in a firm line and wasn’t about to back down, but neither was he. They’d fought plenty during his teenaged years and he could bring back that sulky, stubborn-mule side of his personality in a split second. Everything was already getting out of hand with Lily and they’d been “engaged” for less than twenty-four hours. She’d held his hand in the law office an hour ago like she had the right to claim it. Claim him.
The very idea made his ribs feel ten sizes too small for his lungs.
Yes, it was an act. But people expected a wedding. Parties. Kisses.
Didn’t they see it was a mismatch? Why couldn’t they just ignore it? Look away and avoid the fact that Ethan was going to be left in a year.
They should have eloped before saying anything. People liked Lily and were excited for her, which meant he needed to drag her off to a courtroom and marry her and end the expectations. Quickly.
“I said no party,” he repeated when Trish opened her mouth to speak, a list of guests clutched between her long, shiny red nails. How had she even had time to create the list?
He was the forgotten child, in the middle―the third and last kid to tie the knot. They were supposed to be yawning over another wedding, not tricking him into coming over by sending a text about his dad needing help with his email program, so they could ambush him. They’d have him spend every last dime on this fake wedding if he caved even one tiny little bit.
They meant well, but they didn’t know the truth.
“Ethan, you listen to me,” his father interjected. “Trish didn’t once complain about your foul moods, making her home wheelchair friendly. You found someone, you’re having an engagement party at the very least. It’s time to let the world back in.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Son, you owe us this.”
“Have you set a date?” Trish asked.
“This evening,” Ethan mumbled, turning to escape. Ten steps to the door.
“What?” Trish cried. His father laughed, not believing him.
Five steps.
“Afraid she’ll run away?” he called, still chuckling.
Ethan opened the door. “When you know, you know. No need to wait,” he muttered, closing it behind him.
It opened immediately, Trish poking her head out. “You had better be joking. And you’d better be here by seven for the party. And make sure it’s still a surprise for Lily.”
“Trish, we don’t want a party.” He turned on the landing to face her.
“All women want to be fussed over.”
“Lily’s a tomboy.” Or once was. Today’s outfit had been just as sexy and feminine as yesterday’s. And those high heels? He wished she didn’t walk so easily in them so he could catch her, have an excuse to hold her in his arms.
“All women want to be fussed over and be the center of attention,” she repeated.
“I have a massive project in the works and can’t deal with all this wedding crap.”
Trish let out a horrified gasp and he softened his tone, struggling to be patient. “We know what we want and it’s to get married. So we’re going to do that and leave the rest. You guys always say it’s about being together.”
Trish bit a knuckle, trying to hold back a flood of tears.
He hated the tears.
“I’m just so happy you found someone,” she squeaked, holding out her arms for a hug. “She’s always been such a ray of sunshine and you were always so sweet to her. You took her under your wing and now she’s taking you under hers. We can stop worrying about you.”
Ethan shifted out of her embrace, sighing. He hated that they still felt responsible for him. Sure, he couldn’t do everything, but he was able enough even on his bad days to be entirely independent. He’d even hired out his yard work so if he didn’t get to it right away his brother wouldn’t feel he had to do it for him.
He loved his family, but he didn’t know how to get them to stop worrying and fussing.
“What she means to say,” his father added, slipping his arms around his wife’s slender waist as he joined them out on the step, “is that it’ll be nice for you to have someone.”
Trish shook a finger at Ethan. “You keep being good to her!” She dabbed at her eyes. “I remember Lily and Mandy upending my kitchen with their baking.” She smiled wistfully and Ethan realized how much she’d enjoyed the teenagers, even though she’d been stunned and overwhelmed at the time. To go from no kids to a pile of them running rampant through her home, and not-so-subtly making fun of her breast enhancements behind her back. “She needed us just as much as we needed her.”
Ethan sighed and looked up at the sky. Now she was just being dramatic.
“Are you sure we can’t talk you up to a decent-sized wedding?” his dad asked.
“Elopement.”
“We could help pay.”
And never retire because of it? No, thanks. He’d waylaid their plans enough as it was.
“You guys have already done enough for me over the years. But thank you.”
His father looked concerned, that same expression he got when he thought about Ethan’s endless surgeries. Not quite pity, but something that usually caused him to back down, to not push Ethan in the way he pushed Mandy. Ethan tried not to use it to his advantage, but sometimes you just had to.
He made a show of limping down the steps, wondering how fast he could get a wedding band on Lily’s finger.
Lily stepped into Veils and Vows, Blueberry Springs’s bridal shop. Her future sister-in-law now worked in the store as a gown designer and over the years Lily had purchased many bridesmaids dresses from the shop.
Not that she expected to purchase a gown anytime soon, seeing as her engagement basically amounted to a business arrangement, and neither she nor her father could afford anything extravagant. But ideally, she’d like to pick up a simple sundress that could double as a wedding dress so she’d feel at least a little bit done up for their elopement, and the families could have a little something to put in their albums.
“Is Olivia in?” Lily asked the shop’s owner, Ginger McGinty, an old high school friend.
“I heard you’re engaged!” Ginger squealed, giving Lily a monstrous squeeze. Recently, Ginger had taken over her grandmother’s shop, then become a mother figure to a special needs young woman, Annabelle, when she married a massive man, Logan Stone. As a teen, the man must have eaten his parents out of house and home building a physique that rivaled a bunker. Only, you know, a good-looking bunker. If something like that existed.
“Girl, you move fast!” Ginger said. “Weren’t you single only last week? It’s not that blind date I suggested when you were in town months ago for that bridesmaid fitting, was it?”
Lily shook her head. Ginger had tried to set her up with some mountain man—cute, but totally not her type.
“Who’s the lucky guy? No, don’t tell me. He’s a prison pen pal who needs bail or a woman on the outside.” She laughed as she tugged gowns off nearby racks, holding them up against Lily’s frame. Ginger’s lips would purse as she considered each dress before discarding it and choosing another.
“Ethan. It’s Ethan Mattson.” Lily pushed one of the offered dresses away.
“Ethan? I thought everyone was kidding.” The quiet surprise in her friend’s tone didn’t go unnoticed, nor did the sudden slackness of her jaw and arms. The A-line dress she was holding brushed the floor before Ginger snapped to, lifting it high enough that its hem wouldn’t gather any dust. She laughed again, her eyes dancing. “How did you manage to get him to move so fast? Then again, he’s always been sweet on you in a protective, brotherly sort of way.” She winked. “And I heard what he did to your ex-boyfriend in front of town hall.”
Before Lily could think of a reply, Ginger waved a dress at her. “So? What do you think? High waistline? That would really enhance the girls. No? Too flashy?” She held up a fitted gown, saying, “Too much like a mermaid,” before she discarded it, as well. “I liked the last bridesmaid dress you bought. It had a nice shape.” She shook her head, laughing yet again. “Ethan probably didn’t even see you coming. Poor man.”
There was pity and sorrow in the way her friend said “poor man” that caused Lily to frown. Her husband-to-be was the last person in need of pity. He was strong, smart and successful.
“There’s nothing wrong with Ethan,” she said carefully. Sure, he had a limp from his accident and a facial scar… Lily’s spine straightened suddenly as she thought back to Ethan’s request for a power of attorney when they were getting their prenuptial agreement. It had felt odd at the time and now she feared that there was a genuine reason for him wanting one, as well as wanting to move two of his businesses into someone else’s hands.
“He’s recovered fairly well for someone who was confined to a wheelchair,” her friend hedged.
“Yes, I know. But what’s wrong?”
“He’s just…different since the accident. More reserved. That’s all.” Ginger was watching Lily with concern. “I’m sure if anything is wrong he’ll tell the woman he loves.”
Lily tried to keep her expression neutral even though her stomach had begun to plummet.
“How do you feel about a specially designed gown?” Ginger asked.
“What?”
“For your wedding,” she teased.
“I was thinking of a sundress,” Lily said weakly. Something was wrong with Ethan. “Something simple, since we’re eloping.”
Ginger rounded on her, looking as unimpressed as a scorned lover. She had one hand on her hip and a look so lethal Lily took a step back.
“What do you mean, eloping?” her friend asked slowly.
“Ethan just got a really big account for his web design business—it’s for Burke Carver…” She needed out of the store. Needed space to think.
“Jill Armstrong wants to talk to him about her soaps and lotions line,” Ginger said. “And?”
“What?”
“Never mind.” She waved a hand through the air. “I heard you’ll be taking over the catering and restaurant right away, so there’s really no time to plan anything.”
Lily nodded quickly, finding her excuse for not buying a gown. “That’s right.”
“If you’re worried about planning a wedding,” said a woman as she approached them, “this town can pull off a wedding with minimal effort from the bride and groom.”
It was Olivia, her future sister-in-law. She winked at Ginger and the two shared a secret smile that Lily was certain must have had something to do with Olivia and Devon’s own wedding.
Olivia hugged Lily. “It’s so good to see you again. Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.”
Olivia was elegant, blonde, and so beautiful she used to model for her family’s company, Carrington Cosmetics. And she was surprisingly down to earth—a fantastic match for Devon.
“I love your perfume,” Lily said. It was classy, sweet but sophisticated.
“It’s Dani Demare…” Her voice faded away as she obviously realized her faux pas. Dani was Ethan’s ex-girlfriend. The one who’d left him after his accident. That felt like so long ago—how could the woman still have the power to be a name best whispered? And if she was that bad, why was Olivia wearing her scent?
/> Because it smelled awesome, that was why.
But why would she send gifts to Ethan’s brother? Was she still involved with the family? Was she going to be competition? Lily wondered.
And did it matter? It was a marriage of convenience. One to a man with secrets, apparently.
“Sorry, it was a gift,” Olivia was saying. “We used to model together sometimes and she sent it when we got married. I didn’t want to snub her and so I’ve been wearing it because…” Olivia caught Lily’s expression and her imploring tone turned to one of resolve. “I won’t wear it.”
Lily waved her off with a cheery smile. “Hey, I got the man in the end, didn’t I?” Just give her an Oscar for that performance. “I was hoping you might be able to point me in the direction of a nice sundress I could use for our elopement, or maybe modify something.”
“Elopement?” Olivia’s face fell.
“See? You have to have a real wedding,” Ginger insisted. She began fussing with racks of dresses again.
Olivia took one look at Lily’s expression and gave a dramatic gasp, grabbing Lily’s hand. “Look at your ring! It’s amazing.”
Suddenly a crowd of women gathered around, taking in the glitter on her finger and distracting Ginger. Lily owed Olivia one, that was for sure.
And the ring was beautiful. One of the nicest things she owned. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do when they split up. Give it back? Keep it? Sell it? The ring definitely made everything feel more real.
“Where did you two meet?” asked a tall redhead. She held herself so erect that she made Lily think of the military. And yet she was warm and full of life.
“We grew up together.”
“He pulled her out of a mud puddle, Allison,” Ginger added.
“That’s so sweet. My husband and I have been married for seventeen wonderful years. I wish you all the happiness.” She gave Lily a reassuring smile, setting her at ease. “I’m Allison Fentriss, by the way.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“I couldn’t help but overhear, and all I have to say is don’t let these two tell you what to do,” she said quietly. “You do what feels right for you and your man. It’s your marriage, your day.”