Chapter Twenty-Seven
Alan
“You’re sweet.”
Jessica’s polite smile told me she wasn’t even considering it. Either that, or she didn’t think I was serious.
I was dead serious.
“I am sweet. And I’d be a great dad—and husband. Let’s pick a day and make it official.”
Her eyes widened as it dawned on her that I was being sincere.
“I can’t marry you.”
“Why not?”
“We’re not in love.”
Speak for yourself.
“Not yet. But I’m confident you’ll grow to love me.”
“We can’t—”
“What’s the alternative, Jess? Marry Kevin? Are you saying you love him?”
She blurted out, “God, no,” then quickly pressed her lips together when she realized her admission. She tried a different tack, exclaiming, “We’ve only known each other two days!”
I had to admit, she had a point. But I didn’t care; I was sure this was what I wanted to do.
“It can be a marriage in name only until we’ve gotten to know each other better. And if you decide you want it to be in name only forever, I’ll respect that.”
“That’s silly. I wouldn’t expect you to do that.”
“But I would.”
There was no way I’d want Jessica to be with me because she felt like she had an obligation to spread her legs. Like that perv Kevin would.
I took a step closer, so I could look her in the eye when I said, “I promise I’ll never hurt you or Ruthie. And I’ll do everything I can to make you both happy.”
She stared at me like she was trying to decide if I was joking or not and only broke her gaze when Lainey reached over to squeeze her shoulders. “What’s the alternative, Jess?” Glancing back at me, Lainey continued, “Granted, his proposal game needs some work, but Alan’s one of the good guys.”
I was—for the most part.
At least as far as my family and friends were concerned, anyway.
Jess’s soulful brown eyes were still unsure when she quietly asked, “You’d really marry me?”
I closed the distance between us and reached for her hands. “Yeah. In a heartbeat. Like I said, it can be in name only.”
She bit her bottom lip and murmured the sweetest words I’d ever heard.
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Positive.”
****
Jessica
Did I really just agree to marry Alan?
What alternate Universe had I just wandered into?
But I realized that the soul-crushing pit that had been sitting in my stomach since Mama dropped me off had dissipated.
Alan was a much better husband and father candidate than Kevin.
But now what?
I mean, I’d never been engaged before.
Even saying engaged in my head was freaking me out.
In a good way.
“Soooo… should we just go to the town hall or…?”
The corner of his mouth lifted.
“No, you’re not getting married in jeans. You’re going to have a dress and flowers and a ring and whatever else you want. I also need to talk to your dad. We’re going to do this right.”
Kevin had talked to my parents, and they’d basically leapt at his offer.
I wondered how they’d react to Alan’s visit; especially if they’d already promised me to Kevin, like I was some puppy being reserved for a buyer.
I guess we’d find out.
“I’m not sure how you’re going to justify wanting to marry me. They know you’re not from here, so it’s not like we’ve known each other a while or anything. They’re going to be very suspicious.”
He gave me a wink that made me catch my breath.
“I’ll just tell them it was love at first sight.”