Chapter 27
Nora
“OH, WHAT A TANGLED web we weave, when first we practice to deceive,” Stafford entones, as Jack finishes telling them all the real story of what happened last night. No point in hiding the truth anymore.
“Wait,” Anderson says, ignoring Stafford’s theatrics, “so that’s why you two got married? So you wouldn’t have to testify against her?” He looks back and forth between us. “So what now then?”
“Don’t you want to yell at me for lying to you guys and for breaking about fifty laws in the process?” Jack replies wryly. He’s holding me against him, but this time I know it’s because he wants me there—and it’s glorious.
“Pretty sure you’re the rule follower in the group,” Stafford replies. “Feel free to yell at yourself, though.”
“Seriously?” Jack is aghast. “You’re not mad?” The three of them exchange looks.
“All’s well that ends well,” Stafford declares, clearly on some sort of adage kick. Next he’ll be telling us that you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs or that there’s no use crying over spilled milk.
“I’m sure you remember that I broke my fair share of rules when Emily got accused of murder,” Montgomery reminds Jack.
“You know as well as I do that Mel never should’ve been a part of that murder investigation at her stepbrother’s wedding,” Anderson adds.
“I may never have involved Lucy in a murder investigation,” Stafford says, “but I only call in favors to get middle schoolers off the hook for minor vandalism when those middle schoolers are related to Lucy.”
“Our point being, we’ve all bent the rules for the women we love,” Anderson summarizes and my heart does a little pitter-patter. Jack hasn’t said he loves me yet. It’s silly really, to get caught up on those three little words. After all, he said he wants us to stay married—that heavily implies that he loves me.
Still, I’d like to hear the actual words. I guess I’m greedy like that. Although the replay of him saying he needs me will keep my heart dancing for quite some time.
He needs me.
The most self-sufficient man I know needs me.
And I need him right back.
We’re symbiotic like that.
“But now back to my original question—what are you two going to do now?” Anderson crosses his arms over his chest, waiting expectantly for an answer.
“Now we’re going to start our married life together,” Jack states like it’s as given a thing as the sun rising in the morning. He places a kiss on the top of my head and security washes over me. How could I have been afraid of this?
“This is so great.” Stafford grins. “You can join the couples vacation Lucy just started planning. For some reason she texted that she wants to go to Antigua.”
“Antigua, huh?” Jack looks down at me, his face crinkling into a smile. Hysterical laughter bursts out of me.
“Stafford, I think you should call Lucy and let her know that it turns out Nora didn’t kill Ian Wharfman.” He gives my waist an affectionate squeeze. “Antigua sounds like a great location for a honeymoon, but I’m worried your wife might be trying to book us all one way tickets.”