“No, I mean, he’ssafefor what you’re trying to do,” she says, and I’m still struggling to follow her point. “It’s never going to get messy because you and Jett would never work for real. I’m just surprised he wants to even pretend to settle down.”
A sharp pang shoots through my chest that I can’t interpret. But Wren has a point. There are a millionreasons why Jett and I would never work outside of this agreement.
We’re too different to ever work in a practical sense. I would never be able to keep up with his lifestyle, nor would I want to. There’s no room for the kind of rest and self-care that I need, and he would quickly become bored of my quiet life spent in Heartwood.
It’s not like he would ever be interested in me either. He could have any woman he wants. He’s attractive almost to the point where you have to look away, it’s like looking into the sun.
“You’re probably right,” I agree. “But he’s not who everyone thinks he is, Wren.”
In the short period of time I’ve spent getting closer to Jett, I’ve seen enough to second guess my assumptions about him. To wonder if there’s more to him than meets the eye.
The memory of him covering me with a blanket on the couch and making me a cup of tea after his event ignites something in me that wants to defend him.
“He’s sweet. He can be cocky, and overconfident, sure. But I can see why people gravitate to him.”
“Look, we all know who Jett is. He’s a man-child in kind of an endearing way. But he’s not husband material. He’s not even boyfriend material,” Wren says playfully. “Remember back in high school? When he spent all year talking to Maddy and ended up asking Esther to the prom? He’s still doing shit like that, clearly.”
“Yeah, I remember.” None of this changes the fact that I need a husband. And the only person I’ve found who needs this as bad as I do is Jett. “I just need to know you’re onboard, because I need my best friend to stand at the end of the aisle with me.”
“Of course, Pops. Of course I will be there,” Wren answers, her tone shifting so I know she means it, and my shoulders drop with relief. “Have you set a date yet? Are you thinking spring? Summer?”
“Um, we were kind of thinking next week?”
CHAPTER 14
POPPY
The snow stoppedat some point during the night, and today, the sun is shining, making it shimmer in the light. Although a fresh blanket of white is covering the town, the trees heavy and weighed down, the streets were clear enough that I could make the drive back to Heartwood this morning.
Good thing, because if this wedding is going ahead next week, I’ll need to make some arrangements. It’s not just our engagement, or the wedding festivities that will take me away from the café; Brooke wants me to show up for Jett at his next event shortly after.
It’ll be my first public appearance as his wife, and we only have a few more opportunities to use our relationship to change the media’s perception of Jett before the World Cup, so every moment counts.
A pang of sadness takes the air out of my lungs as I open the door to Thistle + Thorne, the familiar tinkle of the bell above the door making my heart clench. All I want is to stay here, to work behind the counter and serve customers until my cheeks hurt from smiling.
The sound causes Ethan to look up from behind the till, and he waves at me over the short line of people waiting to put in their order. For a moment, the dull ache of regret radiates through me.
This isn’t how I thought I’d be spending the new year. Being dragged around to events that I never in a million years would have chosen to attend on my own. Marrying a notorious playboy and flaunting our entire relationship for the press.
I stand at the door watching Ethan with the customers for a few minutes. He’s efficient, punching in the orders and preparing their drinks while they pay. He rarely makes a mistake, and when he does, he fixes it quickly and with an unwavering smile on his face. The customers love him, and I’m grateful I can rely on him to keep the place running while I’m gone.
I just wish I could be here, too.
Making my way up the stairs in the back corner, I see Wren standing at the top by my apartment door, Cordelia nestled into her arms.
I wrap an arm around her neck and pull her in for a hug. “Thanks for meeting me here.”
“I needed to see you in person so I could confirm that you haven’t been abducted by aliens and some creepy clone is wandering around making foolish decisions,” Wren says, setting down Cordelia on the floor once I’ve opened the door.
“Trust me, I’m still not too sure myself,” I retort.
Wren follows me into my room, and flops down on my bed as I pull out my overnight bag and start packing.
I don’t know what a professional skiers wife wears, but tobe on the safe side, I throw a variety of clothing in the bag. A mix of leggings, jeans, some comfy sweaters, a dress or two, just to be sure I have something for whatever Brooke decides we’re doing next.
“So big night tonight?” Wren asks.
I nod. If I think about it too much, I might get cold feet and decide it’s not worth it. Jett and I get engaged tonight.
