Page 33 of Line Change

“There’s got to be another way.” She tilts her head, studying me. “Can you hire someone to run it? I imagine it’ll be expensive, but then you can still play hockey.”

“Maybe. Dunno if my mum will go for it. Apparently, she mentioned to my sister that maybe it was time for her to sell. It took forever to convince her to hire a couple more people when it was clear she couldn’t do as much anymore a couple years back.”

“Can’t hurt to suggest it.”

“Yeah.” It would solve multiple problems at once. I’m sure it would be expensive, but I have the money, and I wouldn’t mind spending it.

I push my chair back and snag her plate, stacking it on top of mine as I stand.

She stands, grabbing our glasses and following me over to the sink, yawning as she does.

I turn the water on so I can wash the dishes. “I got this. You go relax. You’re tired.”

“I’m fine. It’s barely seven.” She yawns again.

“Sutton.”

“Fine. Fine. I am tired. I don’t know why. I sit at a desk all day, not like I have a super active job or lifestyle.”

I glance at her over my shoulder, my gaze dropping to her stomach. Damn, I wish I could see if she’s showing yet. The idea of Sutton with a pregnant belly makes me hard. I want her. So very bad. I force myself to think about something other than her pregnant belly.

“You’re growing a human, that’s why you’re tired. I’ll finish up here. You go put your feet up and relax.”

She’s silent for a few beats, watching me. “Okay, but don’t think this conversation about you leaving to go be a farmer is over.”

“Would it make you feel better if I text my sister and ask her thoughts about hiring someone?”

“Yes.” She nods.

I shut the water off and wipe my hands on a towel before grabbing my phone to text Harriet. I hit Send and then go back to the dishes.

“Now you go sit down.”

“Okay,” she says before turning and leaving the room.

As I scrub the dishes, I start a mental to-do list of all the things I’ll need to take care of over the next few weeks to organize this wedding. Including buying Sutton a ring. I know it’s fake, but to the world it needs to seem real, which means I need to get her a ring.

A few minutes later, dishes done, I shut the water off and wipe my hands on a towel.

I hope this isn’t a huge mistake. I hope one or both of us don’t end up with our hearts broken when this is all over, because the last thing I want to do is hurt Sutton. She’s already endured enough of that from her family. She doesn’t need it from me.

And I need to remember this is fake, and it’s not forever. So I don’t get my heart broken either.

Chapter thirteen

Sutton

“You ready?” Sebastian puts his SUV into park on the street in front of Wes and Hadley’s new house.

I swallow, my stomach doing somersaults. It’s only been a little over forty-eight hours since Sebastian and I agreed to get married, we’ve already signed the paperwork his lawyer drew up for us, and now we’re about to tell everyone about said marriage. I know this is for the best, and I also know that our friends won’t judge us, but that doesn’t make it feel any easier.

I rest a hand on my stomach, still unsure of whether I’m going to tell them I’m pregnant. Probably better to wait until I’m past the first trimester, and besides, it’s not as though I’m really showing since I’m only ten-and-a-half-ish weeks along. It mostly looks like I ate a big meal and am bloated.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Let’s do this.” I unbuckle my seat belt, open my door, and meet Sebastian in front of the car.

He holds out his hand, and I take it, tangling our fingers together. He squeezes it gently, giving me a small smile that says I’ve got you and you’re not alone. I swear my whole body tingles, and I can’t figure out if it’s from the contact, the silent support he’s offering, or pregnancy hormones.