“Good,” Queenie says firmly. “Because this one here, he’s worth knowing everything about. He’s a good man, Marley. The best man I know. And if he’s chosen you, then you must be something special.”
“I think he’s pretty special too,” Marley whispers, and when she looks back at me, the love in her eyes nearly brings me to my knees.
Queenie reaches for Marley’s hand, squeezing it. “You take care of him, you hear? And he’ll take care of you. That’s what love is. Taking care of each other, even when it’s hard.”
“I will,” Marley promises. “I love him so much.”
“I can see that, child.” Queenie pats her hand, then gestures for her to shoo. “Now go on. Dance with him. Enjoy your birthday. And Nitro?”
I step closer. “Yeah, Queenie?”
“Don’t be an idiot. That one’s a keeper.” She points at Marley with an arthritic, gnarled finger. “You hold onto her tight, you hear me?”
“I hear you,” I say, my throat tight.
As Ro escorts Queenie back toward the festivities, Marley turns to me with the brightest smile on her face. “She’s wonderful. God, Nitro, she’s exactly how I imagined her.”
“Queenie loves you already,” I tell her, pulling her close. “Just like I knew she would.”
“I was so nervous about meeting her,” Marley admits, pressing her face against my chest.
“You had nothing to be nervous about, Small Town. You’re perfect.”
She looks up at me, and the trust in her eyes makes the guilt surge back, stronger than before. She trusts me completely. Believes I’ve told her everything.
And I’m about to claim her without giving her the whole truth.
I’m the worst kind of bastard.
But I can’t lose her.
I won’t.
The next hour blurs with music and laughter. Marley’s eldest brother, Callum, and his wife, Tessa, arrive with their kids, Lola and Finn, in miniature rock star costumes. Lola is Cyndi Lauper, topped with a neon skirt, wild hair, and mismatched accessories. Finn wears an oversized leather jacket and sliding sunglasses.
“Auntie Marley!” Lola launches at Marley’s legs.
Marley scoops her up, spinning her. “Look at you. You’re so cool!”
“You’re cooler,” Lola declares seriously. “You look like a princess.”
I watch Marley with the kids, and something warm settles in my chest. The image of her holding our own kid someday flashes so vividly it steals my breath.
I’m not just in love with her.
I’m ready for everything. Marriage, kids, the whole life I never thought I’d want.
If she doesn’t leave me when she finds out the truth.The thought is a cold splash of reality.
I could have all of this, Marley, a family, a future, or I could lose it all because I was too chicken shit to be honest with her from the beginning.
I should tell her tonight. Right now. Before I make this official.
But I don’t.
Because I’m selfish.
Because I can’t.
