Oh God.
Why does that not make me feel better?
Do I not trust him?
Or is it me I don’t trust?
I study him, this powerful man, suddenly so vulnerable. Desperate. Completely at my mercy. But he’s also a man I trust. A man who’s always stood by me. A man who’s protected me.
And I know I don’towehim anything. But I do.
Because when I’ve needed him most, he’s always been the first one there.
Coleneedshim.
And right now, whether I like it or not, he needsme.
“Alright,” I say finally. “I’ll think about it. I can’t say yes tonight, but I’ll—”God, here goes nothing.“I’ll pretend to be engaged to you tomorrow at the funeral. That way, if we move forward, there aren’t any questions later.”
Relief floods his face, his shoulders sagging like he’s been holding his breath for days.
“Thank you,” he says softly. “God, babe. Thank you. I owe you. Truly.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter. “I didn’t say yes.”
“I know. I know.”
“And Matt?”
He lifts a brow.
“IfI do this,” I say evenly. “I’m doing it for Cole.”
Chapter Fourteen
JORDAN
Twelve Weeks Until the Guardianship Hearing
I grabmy clutch and close the bedroom door behind me, the kettle’s high-pitched whistle calling for my attention from the stove. My heels click loud against the hardwood as I make my way across Matt’s kitchen for a second cup of tea.
After last night, two feels like a necessity. Bare minimum. Might even need a third.
My nerves are shot, and the faint buzz in my head is making it hard to focus. I didn’t sleep. I tossed and turned all night, replaying different versions of today, what beingengagedto Matt this afternoon might look like.
Grabbing the kettle I bought years ago for his place, I pour the steaming water into the infuser. The scent of mint fills the air, and I inhale deeply, savoring the familiar, calming smell.
I brought my own tea. Matt doesn’t drink it. But when I came out earlier to start the kettle, I was surprised to find five different canisters of loose-leaf tea lined up neatly on the counter.
I guesssurprisedisn’t exactly the right word. Matt’s always been like this, thoughtful, always one step ahead. He never misses a beat, even when he has funerals and custody battles weighing on his mind.
I glance at the oven clock.
11:03.
Where is he?
I haven’t seen Matt all morning. He texted earlier to say he was heading out and needed to clear his head. But that was hours ago, and we need to leave by eleven-thirty if we want to arrive early for the funeral.
