Page 60 of Wedding or Not

So much extra has been coming in that we could fully pay off our debt by the end of the year, and the next couple of years could net us plush-enough savings to take us through a decades-long downturn.

It could change everything.

And if it means getting married to Wes for real, well, I don’t have a problem with that.

“Ooh.” Tessa’s eyes are wide and excited about the idea of rolling in money. For most of her life, we’ve had enough but little extra. “Do it! Do it, do it, do it!”

“You should definitely marry him,” Parker chimes in. “Wes isn’t too bad. He’d be okay as a husband, wouldn’t he?”

Wes laughs. “What a claim to fame. An okay husband.”

“We can’t put pressure on them to do something so major,” Aunt Grace says, quieting the laughter. “I know it sounds like fun, but this is their lives. They have to do what’s best for them.”

“But why shouldn’t this be best for them?” Parker asks. “Extra money always helps.”

“And I don’t think anyone is assuming it will be a real marriage. It’s a piece of paper. They can end the marriage anytime they want.” Natalie catches my gaze again, and I know why.

She’s trying to silent will me to do this.

She doesn’t have to.

I already know I’m going to do it, but I don’t want to put the pressure on Wes that my agreeing first would place.

“Well?” Tessa has gotten up and is leaning over to give us both what she’s always called her power gaze. “Yes or no?”

Wes clears his throat and shifts in the chair, trying to get a clearer view of my expression. “I’ve been in from the beginning. I’m committed to The Plan. But only if Ella is on board too.”

I exhale with a rush. “I’m on board.”

Tessa and Parker shriek with excitement, and Natalie gives an exaggerated collapse of relief.

“Is it possible to just fake it?” Aunt Grace asks, frowning slightly. Not like she disapproves but like she’s worried. “Go through with the ceremony but not actually make it official?”

“Someone would track that down for sure,” Natalie says. “And it would be embarrassing.”

“It would,” I agree. “If we’re going to do this, it needs to be real.” I glance back up to Wes to confirm he’s not reluctant.

He doesn’t look at all reluctant. Just quiet. “I already said I’m on board. All the way.” After a moment, he adds, “But the marriage can be real and not last very long.”

Well.

Okay then.

When the party breaks up, Wes stays to help us clean up and do the dishes. Then, without even asking, he walks with me, Audrey, and Natalie the short distance to our own cottage.

Natalie and Audrey walk ahead of us, having a whispered conversation that I’m certain is about me and Wes. But Wes keeps pace with my slower walk.

I tend to be as fast a walker as Natalie and Audrey, but I’m not in a hurry to get home.

Despite the slice through the chest of Wes’s remark about the marriage being short, I still don’t want the evening to end.

It might not mean what I think.

Audrey and Natalie are already inside when Wes and I reach the front porch.

Because I’m still jittery and because Wes has been quiet on the walk home, I summon enough courage to ask, “Just between us, are you truly okay with getting married for real?”

He doesn’t answer immediately. “I am. But I’m not sure if you are or not.”