For a novice, Lizzi did a good job. Once she got the hang of swinging the hammer, her aim was surprisingly accurate. She didn’t tear anything down she hadn’t confirmed was to be removed and when she got close to the other walls, she double checked how far she could go.
And clean up was a breeze. I never would have thought someone who looks as prim and proper as Lizzi would dig in to clear away debris. Especially with her hands.
I’m not sure what her nails looked like yesterday, but they took a beating last night, and I can’t imagine they’re in wedding day condition now.
Footsteps echo on the stairs, then through the hall. Pausing in the far corner of the newly opened up space, I wait—listen. She doesn’t enter the kitchen, and I imagine her peering inside. A breath later her steps head back the way she came and a few seconds after that, she appears in the dining room doorway.
“Hey.” I hold up my mug. “Coffee is hot and fresh. Sugar and creamer are on the counter.”
“Oh.” Glancing over her shoulder, she turns back with a shake of her head. “Listen, about last night…”
I wait her out. I have nothing to say until I know where she’s going to take the conversation.
With a sigh, her shoulders droop and her eyes drift away. “I won’t hold you to anything.”
“Anything being condoms past their use by date, or our marriage of convenience agreement?”
As far as I’m concerned, the first isn’t an issue. I’m happy for nature to take its course. If I’m having a baby, I can’t think of a better woman to have one with.
The second…well, I’m all in on that too.
“The marriage thing. I know things said in the heat of the moment?—”
“Lizzi.” I stop talking until she gives me her full attention and that means her eyes on me. When she does, I ask, “Do you need to be married to take control of your family’s company?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to take control of the company?”
“Yes.”
With a nod, I say, “Right, then go grab a coffee. We’ve got a lot of planning to do, and we need to do it sooner than later.”
“Planning?”
“It won’t be as elaborate as yesterday’s event but I’m sure we can pull together something decent and more like what you want in the next couple of days.” I don’t tell her I’ve already looked up a celebrant and have some idea of what we have to do to get married on the beach at sunset.
“Oh.” She stares at me like I’m a glowing green glob in a Petri dish in a science lab.
I can see she’s confused, and I’ll deal with that in a minute, but right now there’s a more immediate issue. “Do you wantLivi and Lexi to come over? I’ve messaged my brothers. They’re aware you’re here and safe.”
She can’t hide her wince.
“What? Should I not have told them you’re here?” I ask.
“No, it’s not that.” She’s shaking her head.
I’m the confused one now. I figured she’d want her best friends here today. “Then what?”
“I don’t know if I want to deal with anyone right now.”
“Then you won’t. But we will have to work out how to get you clothes other than the ones you had on yesterday.”
“I can’t go home.” The words rush out of her as she takes a step toward me.
“Didn’t think you’d want to. I doubt your ex is there, but your family might be.” I slowly move toward her. It feels like one wrong step could make her bolt. “You don’t have to worry, I have no intention of kicking you out of here. I told you, you could stay as long as you want.”Or forever.
“My family will be there.” Her body language screamed defeated and I hate it, want to wrap my arms around her and tell her everything will be okay. “Grandfather will be sitting in my living room waiting for me to show up.”
