He stared at me and frowned. “What?”
“I’d like to stay married to her.”
Alex blinked slowly, like his brain was having trouble catching up to his ears. “Are you drunk already? Did you two go drinking after lunch?”
“No.”
“So you mean that?”
“I do.”
His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. “Okay, wait. Are you sure? Because that’s big, dude. Marriage is?—”
“I love her,” I said simply.
Alex froze, not even breathing or blinking for at least ten seconds. “What did you just say?”
“I love her,” I repeated. “I didn’t plan to. I sure as hell didn’t expect it to happen, but here we are.”
Alex rubbed a hand over his face. “God. Okay. Just hang on. You love her?”
“Yep.”
“You never even said that about Savannah. All I got out of you back then wasyeah, sure, orprobably, dude. I don’t know.”
I chuckled. “That’s because back then, I really didn’t know. I thought I did, but it was never like this. This is it.”
“And this is stillCharlottewe’re talking about.”
“I know.”
“My sister.”
I gave him a flat look. “I’m aware.”
He looked down into his drink, quiet for a long moment before he glanced at me again. “You’re really serious about this?”
“I wouldn’t have let things get this far if I wasn’t.” I held his gaze, needing him to see that I didn’t have any doubts about this. “I’m not playing games with her, Alex. You know I wouldn’t do that.”
“Yeah. I know.” He stared straight ahead with his jaw tight, looking like he was thinking through every angle like a man reviewing a contract.
Eventually, I figured we might as well get the next part over with too. While he was already breaking his brain. “So, is that okay with you?”
His head jerked toward me in disbelief. “You’re actually asking me?”
“Well, yeah. I know how protective you are. I reckoned it was better to make sure you approve before I talk to your sister about trying to knock her up.”
He let out a strangled sound. “Don’t ever phrase it like that again.”
I grinned into my drink. “Fair enough, but let’s not forget that your cousin keeps knocking upmysister and putting images in my brain I can never erase.”
“I can’t be held accountable for what Jamie does.” He glared at me, but then sighed, a long, defeated exhale. “I’d rather you don’t throw me in a pig trough, so yes. Yes, Trent. It’s okay with me if you stay married to my sister.”
“That’s good,” I said lightly. “Annulment was never on my to-do list.”
“Never?” Alex shook his head, mutteringI cannot believe thisunder his breath before downing the rest of his drink, but he didn’t look angry or even uneasy. “Welcome to the family, I guess. For real this time.”
“Thanks.” I lifted my glass. “I couldn’t be happier to be here.”
