I blush because the two men in my life are staring at me as if I’m something special. “It’s just a dress. Not a wedding dress or anything,” I say, trying to downplay it.
“Still.” He shrugs.
Lifting my shoulders, I look between them. “Everything okay? You two seemed to be in quite a discussion.”
My father plants a hand on Connor’s shoulder, causing Con to tense slightly. “Peachy. Just reminding my son-in-law what I expect. You are precious goods and deserve the best. I’m confident he won’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Warned him I’m too young to be a grandpa. The usual talk.”
I don’t believe a single word he says. Spencer Crews doesn’t say peachy unless sarcasm is the root. I smile anyway because he clearly doesn’t want to clue me in.
“Don’t worry, she’s in excellent hands.” Connor’s death glare lands on my father.
Lines crease my forehead. “Okay, you two are acting weird.”
Connor smiles at me and then playfully pinches my cheek. “All is fine. Your dad and I were debating if the batting cages or ice rink should be our next bonding session.”
My father touches my shoulder. “Had to be a hockey player that you married, huh,” he states warmly.
“Okay, kids, they want to get started with this. Ready?” Ford calls out.
My father gives me a nod before leaving to give Connor and me a moment.
It takes a few seconds for Connor to refocus, as his eyes are locked on me, and he seems to be pondering something.
“Pretend. You’re good at that,” I remind him of our day ahead.
A sincere grin spreads on his face, and it unnerves me. “We just go with it?”
“Well, we have no other choice. We sure as hell didn’t rehearse this for weeks on end, considering two days ago neither one of us had marriage on the mind.”
He leans in to kiss my forehead, and it catches me off guard until he mumbles against my skin, making it clear that it’s all part of the act. “Showtime.”
Ford, Connor’s uncle, and a journalist arrive before us.
“Hi, Hadley, I’m Julia, the reporter and old friend of Declan’s. He called, giving me the first chance to jump on this wonderful news. Sam, over there, is my photographer, and Rupert is his assistant. Congratulations on the marriage.” Julia seems sweet, but growing up with a famous dad, I’m wary of reporters. Julia looks to be a few years older than me. I’m sure if my husband wasn’t tied down to me, she would be his type.
I smile politely. “Hi, nice to meet you.”
“Why don’t we sit down, chat for the article, and then we’ll have a photo session after. Pretend the camera isn’t there.” Her overdone smile doesn’t do it for me, but I play along.
“Of course,” I reply.
We begin to follow her to the seating area on the other side of the deck, but Ford and Declan gently touch Connor’s arm to stop us.
“Marriage equals better focus for you, which equates to a better team, and the Spinners are going to be a winning team next season,” his uncle Declan mutters, a reminder to Connor. It seems they have an agenda. But then Declan relaxes and gently slaps Connor’s shoulder. “Hot damn, you two kids look great together.”
“We’ll be by the refreshment table reining in your mothers. Just holler if you need anything. A balloon, a cute Labrador, a rose, maybe champagne. It will be a great hour that makes up for the lack of wedding festivities that you denied your mother who labored for hours to bring you into the world, only to have her son elope.” Ford smiles tightly.
“This right here is exhibit A of why we did.” Connor throws a smirk to his father.
I have to laugh. Apparently, our marriage has made our parents a little crazy, but a good warm-hug kind of crazy.
Connor and I take a seat in front of Julia, and Connor instantly interlinks our hands. He’s going all in.
“Thank you both for meeting with me. I love that we are doing this at your childhood home, Connor. Considering you both grew up together as neighbors and your parents are close friends. Did you two ever feel like your relationship was a sort of arrangement or pushed from them?” Julia begins in the deep end.
Connor laughs. “Oh yeah, every BBQ was a discussion about our future.” He is completely joking.
I unlink our hands and place my palm on his thigh. “Isn’t he a funny one? No, I don’t think they did. Of course, it might be a dream come true for them slightly, but we are the product of our own feelings and attraction.”
