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But my stomach churned because I knew the conversation was far from over.

48

Fletcher

Rhett raised his eyebrows at me, but when I didn’t offer an explanation, he said, “Let me help you clean up, then I’ll get home.”

While Liv helped Maya, we made quick work of the mess, tossing out the paper plates and putting the chili, cheese, and little smokies into Tupperware. I sent some home with Rhett and put the rest in the fridge for Liv and me to have as leftovers.

When Rhett was out of the house, I poured myself a glass of water, then walked to Maya’s room to check on the girls. But when I peeked through the cracked door, I found Liv and Maya curled on the bed, Liv reading to Maya while her eyes slowly closed.

Need help?I mouthed.

Liv shook her head.

I pointed toward the bedroom, and she nodded.

I turned toward my room, running my hands through my hair, but when I flipped the switch, my legs wouldn’t carry me any farther.

My room had been completely transformed. Instead of the blinds that came with the house, there were now thick, taupe drapes hanging over the windows. The simple white quilt on my bed now had a mustard-color throw draped over it and gray gingham throw pillows at the headboard.

The simple booklight beside my bed had been replaced with matching gold and glass lamps on each nightstand. A hanging plant added greenery in the corner of the room. And now a blue, gray, and yellow-flecked rug contrasted the wood floor. There was a pretty painting of a meadow hanging over my bed and framed photos of Maya on my dresser.

Liv had transformed this room in the span of a few hours.

How?

But I knew why. Because she loved me.

And suddenly, I felt guilty for how the marriage conversation had gone down earlier. I’d meant to talk about this with her instead of reacting quickly to something her brother said offhandedly.

“What do you think?” Liv said behind me.

I turned to see her coming into the room.

Overcome with gratitude, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. “This is more than I deserve.”

She shook her head. “It’s the bare minimum, Fletcher. You spend so much time taking care of everyone else. Maya, me, Rhett, your patients at the clinic. You need to add yourself to the list.”

I hugged her tight, letting her soft curves ease the sting in my chest. “I think I thought I didn’t deserve it after everything that happened...”

She rubbed her hand in a slow circle at the small of my back. “Maybe it will become a habit to be spoiled by me.”

I smiled, kissing the top of her head. “We need to talk about what Rhett brought up earlier.”

She shook her head, stepping back. “It’s too soon to talk about marriage, Fletcher. I understand.”

My hands felt empty, cold without being able to hold her. And I’d need to get used to that if she couldn’t accept where I was coming from. “The thing is, it’s never going to be enough time, because I don’t want to marry again.”

Her lips parted, closed, parted again.

“You can say it,” I said.

She gave me a sheepish smile, then sobered again. “I guess what I want to know is... why?”

I guided her to the bed, where we both sat at the foot. I drew my knee up beside me so I could face her more easily and took a deep breath. “This isn’t about my feelings for you, Liv. IknowI want to be with you. If I were interested in marriage, I’d propose right now. Yesterday.”

Her eyes were full of curiosity mixed with something else I couldn’t quite parse out. “Then what is it?”