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“Yes, that’s right.” I empty my underwear drawer into the suitcase.

“Babe, this isn’t what I meant when I suggested that. I just meant that—”

“It’s fine, Ev,” I say, interrupting her. “Cash and I want to live together. Right, honey?” I ask, and I sidle up to him so I’m tucked into his side as he tosses an arm around my shoulders and pulls me in close.

“That’s right, Mrs. Maddox,” he says, and he leans over and presses a kiss to my temple.

Yes, Cash! Way to sell it.

I dump some more clothes into my bag, and I head into my bathroom to pack up my essentials.

“You can’t move in with him,” Everleigh says.

I poke my head out of the bathroom. “Why not? We’re married, Ev. It’s what married people do. You should know that.”

She clears her throat. “Can I have a moment alone with my sister?” she asks Cash.

“Babe, whatever you need to say to me, you can say in front of my husband,” I say as I continue to pack.

“You two made a drunken mistake! He’s not your husband! You’re not his wife!” she yells.

“Actually, we have this sheet of paper that says we are, in fact, husband and wife,” I say, keeping calm as she escalates. I work quickly in the bathroom, hopeful I’m not forgetting an important part of my beauty routine as I toss almost everything into three different cosmetic bags.

Everleigh stomps over to my bathroom door. “What the fuck are you doing, Ivy?”

“Packing,” I reiterate calmly.

“No. You know what I mean.” She’s totally exasperated, and honestly…who’s acting like a child now?

“I’m moving in with Cash.”

“Right. But why?”

“Because we’re married and we want to live together.” I enunciate each word slowly.

She sighs. “You’re being ridiculous, Ivy.”

“How, exactly? My sister asked me to move out the very same day my husband asked me to move in with him. It’s fate at work. The stars are aligning. We’re married, and I’m sorry, but I don’t care what you think. I don’t care if you think it’s some drunken mistake. We’re happy and excited to start our life together.”

She closes her eyes and shakes her head as if she can’t believe what she’s hearing. “Well, best wishes to the happy couple, I guess. I won’t convert this room into my yoga room yet just in case.”

“You can do whatever you want with your room, Everleigh. Thanks for letting me stay here.” I move to zip my suitcase, but I can’t quite get it. Cash steps in and helps.

She eyes him while he zips up the case. “Be careful with her, Cash. She’s my little sister.”

He straightens and nods, and his eyes are burning when they lift to mine. “I know. And I will.”

And somehow, just like that…I believe him. Especially as he comes over and muscles my suitcase shut.

It’s like he wants this, too—even though it’s actually everything Everleigh is saying it is. But maybe we’ll find a way to prove her wrong.

He carries my suitcase down the stairs, and I grab a few items from my closet. I drape the hangers over my arm, and I lean in to give my sister a quick hug as I walk past her.

“I’ll see you soon,” I say.

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

I press my lips together to hide a wry smile. “I’ll be fine. And I’ll swing by tomorrow after work to get the rest of my stuff and my car.”