6. Riley
CHAPTER SIX
RILEY
I can't believe I am actually contemplating marrying him.
It's almost as if he found a loophole to help me, but technically he isn't paying directly out of pocket for the insurance, so that's supposed to make it better. A part of me thinks maybe I should just let him pay for it, but then I don't want to feel like I owe him. If I marry him, it's a piece of paper. A legal binding that ties me to him in that sense. No one has to know. It can be our secret and like he said, after the baby is born, I won't have a use for it. I can get everything else figured out and we can get the marriage annulled.
It's not like we'd ever consummate the marriage anyway…
It seems pretty simple, like it's the easiest option I have, and it's starting to feel like I don't have any other real viable ones at this point.
The only thing is, if we do this, no one can ever know. There's a part of me that feels ashamed for considering marrying him for his insurance even if it is a mutual decision. Nash won’t be blindsided by any of this and he's the one who proposed it in the first place. But even still, there's a weird feeling that comes along with it.
My phone rings on my nightstand and I roll over in bed, grabbing it as I find a small piece of paper. I answer the call as my eyes scan the note.
"Hey."
I didn’t want to wake you when I left, but text me after you’re up so I know you’re okay.
Nash
"What are you doing?" Nova asks me with no sense of worry or concern in her tone. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," I tell her with a smile on my lips as I walk to my closet to pick out an outfit for the day. I planned on it being a slower day, opening the flower shop closer to late morning to give myself some time. "Nash took me to get dinner, which seemed to help, and then I slept for at least ten hours last night."
"I heard Nash stayed over last night."
My stomach instantly drops. "Did you talk to him?" I don't know what the hell he would have said to her and I can't help but hope he didn't say anything about the marriage.
"He called me, like, five minutes ago."
Maybe he didn't bring up the arrangement.
“Yeah, he said he didn’t think I should be alone.” I let out a nervous laugh. “Honestly, the company was nice.”
“I agree with him, Ry. Yesterday was scary and the thought of you being home alone makes me nervous.”
My phone vibrates and I pull it away from my ear, putting the call on speakerphone as I check my messages.
Nash
Are you awake yet?
Nash
I hope you’re feeling better this morning.
A smile pulls on my lips at his lack of patience and double texts.
Riley
Definitely better today. Thanks for staying last night.
Nash
Whatever you need, I’m here.
Riley
Actually, I was wondering if we could maybe talk again, if you’re free anytime soon.
Nash
Does 6 or 7 tonight work for you?
Riley
Sure, that's fine. Are you planning on eating dinner before coming or should I make something?
Nash
Don't make anything.
But wait for me to eat.
Riley
What are you up to, Simmons?
Nash
You'll see ;) I promise you'll like it though.
“Riley Lynn Harris. Are you alive?”
“Sorry, sorry." I laugh, shaking my head. "I got distracted, but I’m here."
“What the hell happened?”
Oh, you know, your brother, who told me to marry him to solve my problems, wants to come over later.
It's on the tip of my tongue to say something to her about his proposal, but I clamp my lips shut and swallow back my words.
What a fucking situation I've gotten myself into.
“It’s okay, it happens to me all the time.” She pauses and I hear muffled voices in the background. "Ope, I hate to call and hang up, but I need to get back to work. I’m currently getting the stink eye from management. Love you!"
"Love you too!"
As I end the call with Nova, my stomach shifts and I feel my little guy moving around. My heart swells in my chest and my hand instinctively finds my belly. There's no use in fighting the smile that tugs my lips upwards. He moves again, his little foot kicking my hand. He's right on track with where he's supposed to be growth-wise. We've had no issues with him, it's only been my health, but if something happens to me, he's also in jeopardy.
I need to be here for him after he makes his entrance into the world.
I have to marry Nash Simmons.
It's the only way to ensure things go smoothly and I'm not stuck with a six-figure hospital bill.
I have to marry my best friend's brother.
***
It's exactly six-fifteen when a soft knock sounds from my front door. I climb off the couch, walking over to unlock the door and let him in. As I pull the door open, I find Nash with a few grocery bags in his hands. My eyes drop down to them before landing on his blue eyes. "Hi. What is all this?"
"I told you not to worry about dinner," he says with a smile as I move out of his way and he steps into the house. "I stopped and grabbed some things so I could cook for you." He smirks. “Okay, we know I’m not a good cook. I grabbed some food to heat up.”
I stand out of the way, watching Nash as he walks into my home like this is exactly where he's supposed to be. His presence is demanding and he fills the space. He knows his way around my house and he walks directly into the kitchen. The rustling of the plastic bags comes from the counter, and I pause in the doorway as I watch him again.
"I was going to make shrimp scampi with pasta. I know you've been on an enchilada kick, but if I remember correctly, shrimp scampi is one of your favorites."
My breath catches in my throat, my chest constricting. "It is. How did you know that?"
"I've known you long enough, Riley. I'd be a terrible friend if I didn't know your favorites."
I narrow my eyes at him, walking across the kitchen before pulling out one of the stools at the island. "What's my favorite color?"
"Easy. Purple."
"Favorite season?"
He grabs the pots and skillet and looks at me with a smirk. "Hockey, duh." He lets out a chuckle. "Kidding. You're a summer girl." He starts to get everything prepped and turns around to face me. "Your favorite book series is Harry Potter. You live for holiday Hallmark movies. You're not a big fan of flip-flops, but you'll wear those over sandals. Is there anything else you'd like to quiz me on?"
I'm momentarily speechless. I don't remember ever intentionally telling him any of this, but it's like he's stored these small details about me inside his brain for safekeeping. "How do you remember all this?"
His lips part, something unreadable engulfing his eyes before his tongue darts out to wet his lips instead. His nostrils flare and his voice drops a touch. "I pay attention, Riley." His gaze lingers and he begins to turn around to heat up the food when I blurt out the words.
"I'll do it."
He tilts his head to the side, his eyebrows scrunching together. "Do what?"
"I'll marry you." I let out a nervous breath, adjusting on the stool as his face lights up. "For your insurance."
Tension hangs heavily in the air between us and it's borderline suffocating. Under his gaze, I feel like I need to change into a t-shirt with how flushed my body feels. Nash stares at me with an intensity that sends wildfire through my veins. "Good," he says slowly with a nod. "It's the best option you have and I promise you, no one will ever have to know."
"Thank you," I half whisper, my voice getting caught in my throat as emotion engulfs me. "Not just for this, but for everything."
"You don't have to thank me."
"But I do," I explain as I lean against the counter, watching him as he turns around to dump the contents from the container into a pan. "You never judge and you never hesitate. You're always there for me, literally through everything."
He looks back at me, his gaze colliding with mine. "I'm not going anywhere," he promises, his eyes burning holes through mine. "I'll always be here."
In a different life, it could have been us… but not in this one.