Wild Side (Rose Hill, #3)(37)

My hand moves closer, and the tawny cat bunts against it, a rumble starting instantly in her throat.

“Aw, look at that, Milo. How sweet. Rhys loves Cleo too.” Tabitha’s grin is just a little too pleased.

My fiancée is pushing her fucking luck with this trick.

I glare.

She smiles sweetly.

Then she hits me with a subtle tip of her chin. I know what she’s signaling, and as much as it’s a conversation I don’t want to have, I know it needs to be done.

I nod and watch her tongue dart out over her lips as though she’s nervous too.

“Speaking of love, Milo.”

His head shoots up, suspicion dancing in his baby blues. “What’s wrong?”

My chest aches for him, and I clear my throat to cover the soft keening sound that lurches into my throat. I know that feeling all too well. Assuming any news is bad news because you’ve been getting just a little too much of it lately.

“Nothing, nothing.” Tabitha rubs a hand on his back. “Right, Rhys?”

“Yeah. No. In fact, buddy, we’ve got…” Again, I find myself staring at his aunt as I search for the right words for this.

Something to tell you?

An announcement to make?

Nothing quite encapsulates the way I’m feeling about the situation. “Some good news to share.”

I don’t miss the subtle quirk of Tabitha’s one brow.

Good news.

I rationalize that it’s good news for Milo because it works out best for him.

Milo’s rosy lips tip up in my direction as he searches for more information, so I turn, giving him my full attention, one hand gripping the back of his chair for support. “Your aunt Tabby and I…well…we…we’re getting married.” My voice sounds strained, and Tabitha looks like she’s just pulled a precarious piece in Jenga.

Milo’s brows furrow for a beat, as though mulling over a problem that confuses him. “Like a mom and a dad?”

Tabitha sucks in a breath, blinking away quickly, as her hand moves on his back again. I swallow thickly, feeling all too kindred with Milo.

“Yeah, kind of like that.”

“We be all together?”

Tabitha’s eyes catch on mine, and I get lost there for a beat. She’s unreadable, save for the soft nod she gives me.

Together with Tabitha. It’s a dangerous sentiment, one that has become increasingly appealing with every moment I spend in her vicinity.

“Except when I’m away for work. But I promise you I’ll come back in between.”

I can feel Tabitha staring at me. Can feel the unspoken questions pelting me from the side. She wants to know more—deserves to know more—but I’m still struggling to feel like I don’t have to hide.

It’s a tough habit to break. But lately I’ve become more concerned about what my being in the public eye could mean for her and Milo—for their privacy. The last thing this tentative new relationship between us needs is media attention and amateur internet sleuths piecing things together.

Which is why I keep my focus on Milo.

Milo, who rolls his lips together thoughtfully, chubby little fingers twirling a crayon. Finally, he turns his wide, deep-blue eyes on me, then on Tabitha. “This makes me so happy.” Then he turns and looks over at the crooked corn plant in the corner. His lips slowly turn up in the softest smile before he delivers the killing blow with his baby voice and fumbled pronunciations. “Erika! Aunty Tabby Cat and Ree are getting married!”

My eyes fill, and my head nods as I watch him go back to drawing like he didn’t just eviscerate me with the simplest sentence in the world.

It makes me realize that I’d do anything for him.

Even marry a woman who can’t stand me.

One who I can’t stop thinking about.





CHAPTER 17


Tabitha





Rhys: What type of flowers do you want for your bouquet?

Tabby: Are there any that you’re allergic to?

Rhys: Charming. But no.

Tabby: Maybe I should just carry Cleocatra down the aisle? I don’t need a bouquet.



I RUB MY DAMP PALMS TOGETHER NERVOUSLY IN THE SMALL back room of the church.

My dad, Paul, doesn’t miss it, but he doesn’t jump to conclusions. Instead of assuming I’m antsy and dreading walking down the aisle today, he smiles at me kindly. “Excited, aren’t ya, kiddo?”

Since Rhys and I told my parents about the wedding, and they met him for the very first time, they haven’t shown a single shred of suspicion over the entire thing. Which would seem strange, except it’s clear as day to me they need something happy in their lives. They need this wedding to be a joyous, happy occasion. They need it so badly that they can’t bear to look any closer.

Yeah, my parents are thrilled I’m getting married to Rhys, even though they don’t know him from Adam.

“Yeah, Dad.” I smile back. “I’m excited.”

Excited to get this over with.

I still tried to bring up a quick trip down to the courthouse, but even as the words left my mouth, I knew it wouldn’t work. There’s no chance people like Rosie, or Skylar, or West, or Bash would believe that I married Rhys for real if we did that. And I suppose that’s why they’re all in attendance today.