She clears her throat. “Charlie’s father is attempting to gain custody.”
My teeth grind together at the mention of Charlie’s biological father. He is certainly no parent, no actual father to the little boy, nor is he a partner to Evie.
“You mentioned that a few weeks ago.” Or maybe I overheard it. I knew it, anyway, but this doesn’t seem to trip her up, because she nods.
“Yes. Well. Now I’m being told that he has a decent chance of getting custody because he’s married, and I’m a single mom.” The last two words are tinged with emotion. Her lips press together into a firm line. “I’m not sure what to do.”
The strain of her voice reveals she’s holding back a great deal of emotion. She seems to do this with me—tries to contain herself, when I’m more than happy to witness her infull relief. I’ve seen her with others—with Sam or even my brothers and other people in town—and she’s much more animated with them.
It’s better she’s keeping a lid on it if it’ll lead to her crying, though. That, I’m not sure I could abide.
That said, I know exactly what to do.
“You should get married, then.” It’s a simple answer.
Her jaw flexes and her eyebrows furrow. “Right.”
“I mean it. Get married. Problem solved.” At least regarding her ex having a leg up on her in terms of relationship status and what must be a sense that a partnered parent has more resources to care for a child in the eyes of the state.
She huffs. “Yes, well, it’s not that easy. I’m not even dating anyone. Who would I marry?”
“You could marry me.”
It is the least I’ve thought about words coming out of my mouth in the history of my life.
And yet, I won’t retract them.
Even as Evie chokes on the sip of coffee she took right before I responded.
“You? Why—why would you do that?”
This is a reality I know she’s unaware of. It’s one I’ve kept tucked far away from the office, where she’s my employee and the power dynamic would make anything between us inappropriate.
The truth is, I’d die for Evie. I’d die for Charlie.
For both of them, easily.
So marrying her? Well.
It’s simple.
“Because I can.”
