I'd had a local attorney draw up a prenuptial agreement that basically said anything either of us brought to the marriage would remain ours in the event of a divorce. I wanted to add something about how we would handle custody and child support, but the lawyer explained that sort of thing was determined by a family court in the event of a divorce.
However, the attorney had tried to talk me into putting other clauses or monetary compensation in the agreement, but I refused. I wanted J.J. to know that I wasn't going to come after him for money in the event things didn't work out.
I wanted to start our marriage off on the right foot.
I heard a car turn into the drive and a flurry of activity from the living room. Curious, I walked out of my bedroom and found Colette and my mother blocking the door and J.J. on the other side, the envelope in his hand.
"I know it's our wedding day, but I need to talk to Lee," J.J. was saying as I came around the corner.
He must have sensed my movement when I stopped in the doorway because he looked up and locked eyes with me. Then, he stilled.
"You look beautiful," he said.
I smiled and felt my cheeks heat. "Thank you."
"Aw, dammit," my mother said.
I glanced at her with wide eyes. My mother rarely so much as said "crap" much less an actual curse word, so it was a bit of a surprise.
"Well, you've already set yourself up for bad luck," Colette said primly, stepping to the side. "So I guess you might as well come in and talk to her anyway since it can't wait."
They stood on each side of the door, their arms crossed. J.J. gave them both a wary look before he came inside and walked toward me.
"Is there somewhere we can talk without an audience?" he asked.
The walls in the house were thin, but my bedroom was the furthest from the kitchen and living area, so I gestured for him to follow me.
I didn't realize until we were in my bedroom with the door shut behind us, that he hadn't been back in here since the night of Cam's wedding. The subtle glance he shot the bed reminded me of everything that happened that night and how it felt, and the heat in my cheeks spread to the rest of my body.
"What's wrong?" I asked when it seemed all he was going to do was stare at my bed.
J.J.'s eyes shot to me and he lifted the envelope. "A prenup?" he asked.
I nodded. "Absolutely."
He tossed the envelope onto the bed. "I realize that we discussed dissolving our marriage once you no longer needed my help but why didn't you tell me you wanted a prenuptial agreement?"
"I honestly didn't think about it until a couple of days ago," I answered. "And I didn't ask you because I know you're a decent guy and you would say no because you didn't want me to feel like you only cared about the money. But I think it's important we have some sort of agreement in place for the future. It will keep things from getting...messy."
J.J. scrubbed his hands over his face and I noticed his outfit. He wore a pair of simple dark slacks and a crisp white button-down shirt. He looked handsome and he smelled delicious.
"Lee, I know we discussed this marriage being temporary, but you sound like you've already got one foot out the door."
"No, I'm planning for the future," I stated.
"What happens if one of us doesn't want a divorce?" he asked.
I blinked at him for a moment, trying to process his words. "You mean, me? Or you?"
"Either of us," he answered, waving a hand.
"Then, I suppose we would have to talk about it."
He stared at me, long and hard. "But would you talk to me about it if you were the one who didn't want a divorce?"
I blinked again. "What do you mean?"
He sighed and sat on the edge of my bed, his shoulders rounded as though in defeat. "Lee, I realize that you're worried that I might feel pressured in this situation, but I don't. If you think back, I'm the one who suggested marriage. I didn't bring up the option for divorce until you made it clear you didn't want to be trapped with me as a spouse. If anyone should feel pressured here, it's you."
