I frown, nearly losing my grip on the glass. “I said that?”
Dad nods slowly, glancing at Willow.
The party seems such a long time ago, but he’s right. Ididsay that. Right after I kissed Willow for the first time. The moment I realized I was healing. I was moving on. And felt guilty for it.
Dad puts a hand on my shoulder. “She’s a good one.”
I know what he means. That if anyone were to replace that hole in my heart, she’s it.
I look at Willow again, her face lighting up when Ellie runs up to her. It’s contagious.
I don’t comment, but something tells me my look says it all.
She is it.
Noah steps onto my porch. He’s in a suit, as usual. Also as usual, he’s scowling. “Gentlemen.” He nods respectfully, but it’s mostly at my father. Then he pins me with those blue eyes. “Could we have a word?”
I take another sip, knowing what this is about. “No.”
He draws out the folded papers from his inside pocket. “Dallas, don’t be an idiot. Make her sign this.”
Dad curses under his breath. “For Christ’s sake, Noah, it’s the girl’s wedding day.”
“That’s why I sent it last week. Yoursonsent it back to my office—blank.”
I see Willow shake her head and walk away from her mother, leaving the woman frustrated.
Hell is her problem?
I turn back to Noah. “Dad’s not exactly big on prenups either, so you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“Dallas, this is arealmarriage. Withrealassets at stake. Which means she’ll be entitled to half when you two split.”
Sharp pain tugs at my chest, but I don’t budge. “Put yourself in my shoes. Would you have made Charlie sign it?”
He jerks. “Charlie?” Then glances back at Willow taking pictures with Rose and Ellie. Her smile wide and real.
Understanding hits and he turns back. “No. It’s not the Reeves way. But fine, so you two have something going on, doesn’t mean you can’t protect yourself. You still don’t know anything about her.”
Dad holds up a glass for Noah. “Pipe down and have yourself a drink.”
“Oh good,” Willow chirps, bouncing up the steps with a shiver. “Something stronger than cider.”
“Keep you warmer too,” I tell her, handing her mine.
Noah clears his throat. “It’s getting a bit crowded here, I’ll see you out there. Congratulations again, you two,” he says flatly as he folds up the papers.
Willow gasps as she plucks the packet from his hands. “Is this our certificate?”
My heart plunges into my stomach when she unravels it. “Willow,” I step toward her, but she turns.
“I’m going to go see if Rose needs help.” Wilder races down the steps.
Dad follows with a heavy sigh. “I’ll go .?.?. try that cider.”
“Notthe marriage certificate,” she mumbles, flipping through the pages. She looks up at Noah. “Got a pen?”
He whips one out in a hot second. I watch her profile as she props the last page up against the man’s chest .?.?. and signs it.
