I sighed. “Every time Callum smiled at Brody, it was like I could feel something spark to life in me and I know I have no business entertaining it, but it’s like I can see the relationship they would’ve had from the beginning if I’d told him, you know? That’s where the guilt is coming from, but the excitement is purely selfish. He makes me feel like I’m doing something wildly irresponsible even if I know I’m not.”
She arched an eyebrow at me. “You agreed tomarryhim. For someone who’s never driven over the speed limit, this is probably the most wildly irresponsible thing you’ve ever done.”
“That’s not true,” I protested. “Wildly irresponsible was driving across town at night that one time to pick up a karaoke machine we bought off that guy on Facebook Marketplace. Do you remember that?”
She smirked. “Babe, we had half the dive team with us and one of the dudes knew the guy who was selling it, so yes, I remember. But the fact remains that the most wildly irresponsible thing you’ve ever done before this was sleeping with Callum Westwood in the first place.”
I shot her a scowl, but I could feel the grin trying to break free at the corners of my lips. “That’s just not true. Give me a minute. I’m sure I can think of more examples.”
“Nah, when that guy is involved, you make bad decisions. You always have”
I rolled my eyes. “I had a one-night stand with him in college. It’s not like I’m the only college girl who’s ever had a one-night stand and didn’t even get the guy’s number. Hell, I rememberyourfondness for the water polo team.”
She laughed. “Fair enough, but you weren’t the type who had one-night stands untilhecame along and now you’re talking about marrying the dude.”
“Marrying him isn’t a bad decision,” I said, and I really believed it. “You should’ve seen him with Brody today, George. They’re like two halves of the same whole. Brody has never clicked with anyone that quickly. This would’ve been the right thing for him even if Callum hadn’t been his biological father, but he is, and he wants to be involved.”
“So you’re seriously thinking about going through with it?” she asked. “An arranged marriage? A marriage of convenience put together like some kind of deal he’s closing? That’s really what you want?”
“Yes.” I sat up a little straighter, my voice firm and my mind made up. “I told Callum that if he and Brody got along, I would do it, and they did more than just get along today. At this point, I’d be an absolute fool on so many levels not to do this.”
Her teasing faded and she glanced toward the cul-de-sac where Brody was tearing around, racing one of the kids who lived down the block. “Do you really think Callum’s the right one for him?”
“Honestly? I don’t think there’s anyone better and I mean that. I believe it down to the deepest recesses of my being.” My chest swelled with undeniable relief and awe. “Brody needs someone to look up to. Someone cut from the same cloth, and Callum is exactly that. After today, there’s no question in my mind that this is what’s best for him, and that’s all that matters.”
She gave me a long look, then shook her head with a wry smile on her lips. “Only you could turn a shotgun marriage into a responsible parenting decision.”
I laughed. “Well, somebody has to. It might as well be me, right? I, Maisie Morgan, am marrying Callum Westwoodbecause that’s what my son needs me to do. How’s that for commitment to making the right choices for your child?”
She was suddenly staring at me like I’d just announced I was moving to Mars with nothing but a bicycle and a pack of gum. “I say this with love, but when you put it like that, it makes you sound even more insane. You do remember Callum doesn’t know the truth, right?”
I braced my elbows on my knees, watching Brody race down the street with his arms out like an airplane after winning the race. “Of course, I remember.”
“Then how can you be so calm about this? He doesn’t know he’s the father of the kid you’re about to marry him to help raise. It’s crazy. When are you going to tell him? For your ten-year wedding anniversary?”
“No, I just… it’s too late to tell him now,” I said flatly. “Back in college, it wouldn’t have mattered. He wouldn’t have stepped up. He barely stepped up to class back then, and even if I had told him, he probably wouldn’t have believed me. He’d just have thought I was trying to trap him.”
Georgia gave me a hard stare. “And now? It’s not too late, you know.”
“No, it is, and besides, it doesn’t matter,” I said, my voice steady even if my stomach twisted into knots. “He and Brody get along. That’s all I need. I can manage everything else as long as Callum is good to him.”
She blew out a breath. “You’re stubborn as a mule.”
“I prefer the termdecisive,” I countered, lifting my chin. “Look, I’m still not saying that I’m never going to tell him, but there’s a lot going on right now and Brody needs this.Ineed this. I’ve been drowning for years and I finally feel like someone has tossed me a lifeline. I know it’s selfish, but I just need a minute to catch my breath. Then I’ll reassess.”
Georgia paused for a beat before she straightened, visibly shifting into lawyer mode. “All right. If you’re dead set on this, we need to protect both you and Brody, as well as everything you’ve worked for. I’ll get some paperwork drawn up before you sign anything official.”
I frowned. “Paperwork? Callum said he’d handle all the contracts and stuff.”
“Sure, but we’re not talking about splitting an appetizer here, Mais. You own your house. Mortgaged or not, it’s yours. You’ve got the SUV out there that still has that new car smell. We need to protect your assets.”
“I doubt Callum is going to give a damn about a small house in the suburbs and a car.”
“Maybe, but his family?” She let out a humorless laugh. “They’re richer than God and about ten times meaner than a demon when it comes to protecting their own. If he ever finds out Brody is his and things don’t work out…”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but she didn’t have to. The wordcustodyhung heavy between us, unspoken, but still casting a dark, ugly shadow on an otherwise perfect evening.
I swallowed hard, forcing a shrug. “It won’t come to that.”
