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I let out a sigh. “I wish you would let it go.”

A knock sounded on the door, and Fletcher’s jaw ticked as he replied, “I’m going to be in here a while.” He turned his gaze on me, and I knew he wouldn’t let it go.

“It’s about you not wanting to get married.”

His lips parted like that was the last thing he expected me to say. “I thought you said it was too soon to talk about marriage...”

“I thought it was, until I realized what continuing a relationship without the possibility of marriage would mean.”

He turned away from me, linking his hands behind his head. He was clearly frustrated.

I ground my teeth together, mad that he was upset with me. I wasn’t the one asking him to forgo a dream he’d had for years. Being married, promising forever to someone in front of all my friends and family... that was sacred to me.

“Where is this coming from?” he asked, facing me again.

I folded my arms across my chest, feeling more vulnerable than ever. “I realized that if we never get married, all I’ll ever be is a live-in nanny with benefits. I’ll have no rights to this life that we built together.”

He put his hands on my arms. “Liv, I’d never betray you like that. If we ever parted ways, I’d make sure that you were set with half of what we have.”

“And my resume?” I asked. “What should I list? House not-wife?”

He pressed his lips together.

“And what if something happens to you, Fletch? You know it’s a possibility with what happened to your mom, and I’d have no say in any of your care or rights to our home—”

“We could plan a will,” he snapped, “and I hardly think manipulating me by using my mother’s death is a fair way to get what you want.”

My jaw dropped. “You think I’mmanipulatingyou?” I flattened my hand on my chest. “I’m trying to protect myself. Something you clearly don’t care to do.”

He frowned. “I’m sorry, manipulate wasn’t the right word. I’m just caught off guard. But I meant what I said, Liv. I can work you into my will, I can add your name to ownership of the house and the practice, but I won’t be getting married. Not when I’ve already promised forever and failed once before.”

I looked at him, the depths of his brown eyes, and realized... “You’re not over what happened.”

He reached out and cupped my cheek with his hand. “I love you so much, Liv Griffen. You deserve everything you want in this life. But if marriage is one of those desires... I can’t be the one to give it to you.”

I looked up at him, my heart slowly breaking. I loved him, and he was willing to commit to me in so many ways, but he was still holding back. I could see that now. “I need to think about this.”

“Of course.” He kissed my forehead. “Take all the time you need.”

56

Fletcher

Dad had invited us all over to grill and hang out on Sunday. Ford couldn’t come since he was busy in Dallas with football training, and Bryce was back at college, but the rest of my brothers were there, along with Maya. She and Hayes were in the yard, passing a football back and forth while Knox and I were getting food.

“Where’s Liv?” Knox asked as he used a set of tongs to grab a burger.

“I fucked up,” I muttered, admitting to the brick of lead that had been in my stomach since I told her I wouldn’t get married. Liv and I hadn’t gotten intimate last night for the first time since we’d been together, and today she said she wanted to hang out with her brother Gage and his family in the city instead of spending time with Maya and me.

Knox gave me a long look before focusing on the tray of grilled vegetables. “What happened?”

“I told her I couldn’t get married after Regina.” I stared out at Hayes and Maya playing catch as Graham pranced between the two of them. By the end of the night, Hayes would have her throwing a perfect spiral.

Knox was silent for way too long. “You’re afraid?” he finally said.

“Not really.”

He shook his head at me. “You want to be with Liv, don’t you?”