Page 8 of Love ’em or Liam

“If you could double-check the names,” he says.

Liam nods.

“Face each other then and hold hands,” the officiant says.

Once mine and Liam’s eyes meet, the man’s words fade into the background.

I repeat my vows, watch Liam’s mouth as he repeats his, then stare as my best friend slides a gorgeous ring onto my finger. He hands me a plain band to give to him.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the officiant says.

“She was a bride,” Liam says. “Now, she’s my wife.” Then his mouth is on mine. It’s not a polite kiss. Not a wedding in a church kiss. Nope, he slants his lips across mine and slides his tongue into my mouth.

I’m hopeless to do anything but kiss him back.

chapter

four

Wren

ME: I’m in trouble

WINNIE: What happened?

ME: Liam just kissed the hell out of me. I think I’m having an out of body experience.

WINNIE: It’s about damn time. So you’re married?

ME: Yes. We’re on our way back to our hotel room.

ME: Right before we walked down the aisle he told me if I wanted a fake husband, I needed to marry someone else. That this would be a real marriage.

WINNIE: Sigh.

ME: I’m pretty sure he just meant sex.

WINNIE: YES!!! Ride that man like the stallion he is.

ME: Please don’t ever say those words again.

WINNIE: Which ones specifically? Would you prefer: climb him like a tree? Or sit on him like your favorite chair?

ME: Stop!

WINNIE: All I’m trying to say is that you’ve loved this guy since you were in high school. And you trust him. He’s not going to hurt you or Keller.

ME: I don’t know that I still have that part of me. The ability to love like that.

ME: I mean, I loved Colt too. Or I thought I did, once upon a time. And then he broke me over and over again. I don’t think I have any space left for that kind of romantic love.

WINNIE: Oh honey… Colt was a selfish man-child dickhead.

WINNIE: Liam is different on possibly every level.

ME: Maybe, but I don’t think I know how to love anyone but my kid anymore.

WINNIE: You love me.