Page 17

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

IT’S OFFICIAL

ADELINE

Penn stops by my office the next afternoon.

“Hey, come in.” I wave him in and he shuts the door behind him.

“Checking in,” he says. He sounds nonchalant, but his shoulders are tense and he’s watching me carefully.

“Yeah? How’s Sam doing?” I ask.

“He’s good. Took him shopping yesterday.

That was fun. Then Mrs. Murphy stopped by late in the afternoon, and she asked about you.

How long we’ve been dating, that sort of thing.

Made me nervous, but I think she bought the Bahamas story.

” He lifts his shoulder. “I mean it is the truth. Mostly, anyway.”

I nod, smiling tentatively.

“My parents got in last night. They’ll be staying in the guesthouse…I didn’t get a chance to show you that the other night, but it’s nice and will give them their own space when they need it.”

“They could also use my condo if they wanted…since I won’t be living there.”

He studies me like he can’t believe I’m saying this.

“Thank you. We can let them know that when the time comes. Sam went back to school this morning. He loves my parents, so he’ll be fine with them being there when he gets home from school. I’m heading out, but I just wanted to check…we’re doing this?”

I tilt my head, my shoulders lifting. “I think we are. I’ve given it a lot of thought and I don’t see a better way. And once Mrs. Murphy sees how Sam flourishes in your house, the rest will all fall into place.”

“And you really are sure? I mean, there are a few more days if you need to keep thinking about it.”

“I get it, Penn.” I grin. “My dating life has been pretty dull anyway, and this is worth it. A year will go by fast, I’m sure.” I tap my desk. “I think I’ll go look for a dress tonight, something simple.”

His eyes light up. “Yeah?”

I nod.

“And where are you landing about people being there?” he asks. “Still keeping it to ourselves?”

“I’ll do whatever you want, but I think the fewer people there, the better.”

“Okay. Can Sam be there? Just since he’ll be in the house with us. I do think…” He looks uncomfortable. “I think we shouldn’t tell a soul that it isn’t real. Not Sam, not our families or friends…no one. It puts them in a bad position if they’re asked any questions.”

“I agree.”

He looks relieved. “Okay then.”

“How about Friday we pick Sam up from school and do it then? That way it’s just the three of us.”

“He’ll love that. Wow. Addy. I just can’t believe you’re doing this for me. For Sam. I’m going to be in shock for a long time.”

“Are you gonna marry us, Preacher Man?”

He smirks. “Legally, I could, but just to ensure that no questions are raised about the legitimacy of it, I think we should get married at the courthouse with a justice of the peace.”

I hold my hand out. “It’s your call. Would’ve been entertaining to hear what you had to say, but whatevs.”

He laughs. “I’d rather stay all built up in your mind.”

“Oh, is that what you think you are? On a pedestal in my mind?” Ever since he walked into the room, I haven’t been able to stop smiling.

He lifts a shoulder. “It’s where you are in mine. Especially now.”

My cheeks warm. “You really are very sweet.”

He gets a funny expression on his face. “Can’t say I’ve been told that before. Hot, fun…crazy…” His eyes crinkle as he laughs. “Sweet doesn’t come up much.”

“Well, you are. Sam is really lucky to have you, you know that?”

“I’m the lucky one. He’s changed my life for the better. I’m still a selfish bastard, but…I care about him.”

“You’re not a selfish bastard, Penn. If you were, there’s no way you’d be considering any of this.”

Why make a big deal out of a dress for a wedding that isn’t even real? I don’t care about it. No big deal. This is just a formality, something to make Penn’s life easier.

Yeah, it might not be a real wedding, but I’m damn sure going to look pretty.

The bridal boutique smells like gardenias and childhood dreams. Brides are in there with their mothers and best friends, giggling as they sip champagne and twirl in front of the wall of mirrors.

I feel conspicuous in my aloneness.

The saleswoman, a woman with short grey hair, approaches me. “Shopping for a special occasion?”

“Yes. I need something simple but elegant. A daytime courthouse wedding.”

“I’ve got the perfect thing.” She leads me to a row of sleek dresses, all understated but lovely.

I flip through them, trailing my fingers over satin and intricate beading, everything still feeling like too much.

But then I see it. A shimmering white with a low neckline that is still tasteful and a back that dips just enough.

The hem hits mid-knee and when I hold it up in the light, I can see that it’s perfect.

I walk into the fitting room and slip the dress on, my fingers trembling slightly as I zip it up. I exhale when I turn and look in the mirror. This will do.

It takes extraordinary willpower not to call Goldie and tell her everything, not to run to my parents’ house and let them in on the plan.

I’m so afraid that I’ll say something that I shouldn’t, that I don’t leave the house for the next couple of days, except to go to work. And then before I know it, it’s Friday.

My wedding day.

I spent a little extra time on my hair this morning and it still looks good by that afternoon.

The minute I’m able to leave work, I get out of there, hurrying home.

It’s the earliest I’ve left since I started.

I rush home and brush my teeth, touch up my makeup, and pin one side of my hair back with a pretty clip.

By the time I put on my dress, my hands are trembling.

I glance in the mirror and then the clock.

Penn should be here any minute, which makes my stomach churn.

When I hear a knock at the door, I grab my clutch and swing the door open.

Penn is standing there, looking picture-perfect in his suit.

He takes me in and I’m glad I made the effort because he definitely notices.

“You look stunning, Addy,” he says.

“Thank you. You’re looking pretty stunning too.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw as we stare at each other.

“Last chance to get out of this,” he says.

“I’m sure about this, Penn. Are you?”

“Yes,” he says.

I can tell we’re both feeling the weight of the day, and that’s not all bad. This is bigger than the two of us. We’re doing this for a good reason, and I don’t think either of us wants to lose sight of that.

“You ready?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.

“Ready.”

We’re quiet on the way to Sam’s school, nerves thick between us. Penn’s fingers tap against the steering wheel. When we pull in front of the school, Sam is walking outside, and when he sees us coming, he grins, jogging toward the SUV.

“Hey,” he says, tossing his backpack onto the floorboard as he climbs into the back seat. He leans forward, looking between the two of us. “What’s going on?”

Penn and I exchange a quick glance before we both smile back at him, maybe a little too brightly. His eyes narrow. The kid’s quick. I don’t think there’s much that gets past him.

“Hello?” His head veers from Penn to me and back to Penn.

Penn clears his throat and tips his chin toward the garment bag next to Sam. “I brought a suit for you.”

Sam blinks. “I don’t have a suit.”

“You do now.” Penn grins. “You can change at the courthouse if you want. We’ve got a wedding to go to.”

Sam’s eyes bug out. “We’re…getting married today?” His voice lifts in surprise. “I mean, you guys? I get to be there? Is everyone else meeting us there?”

Penn shakes his head. “We’re just doing something simple for now.” When he glances at me, there’s something unreadable in his expression. “Maybe we can do the bigger thing later, but we decided we didn’t want a big to-do when Addy’s just started working for the Mustangs.”

That’s a good reason for what we’re doing.

A logical one. But I can’t help but wonder if there’s a part of Penn that still isn’t sure about this.

I’m nervous too, but I haven’t changed my mind.

I still believe this is the only surefire way to get Sam with Penn, and now that I’m getting to know Sam for myself, I want to be part of his life too.

“That makes sense,” Sam says, nodding. “Well, I’m really happy that I get to be there with you.”

His voice is so sincere, so full of excitement, that it melts my heart all over again.

The courthouse is quiet when we arrive, the halls nearly empty aside from the occasional person passing by.

When Sam comes out of the restroom in his suit, Penn and I both go on about how good he looks until the poor boy’s cheeks are bright red.

He fidgets with the lapel of his suit jacket while we wait.

When we step into a small, unremarkable room, the justice of the peace greets us with a friendly but slightly frazzled smile.

“Are you ready to be married?” he asks.

Penn’s eyes are heated as he turns to look at me, and my heart flip-flops. No, no, heart. Don’t get all twisted up in Penn Hudson. This is a business arrangement.

But the way he’s looking at me does not feel at all businessy.

“We are,” he says, his voice husky.

I nod. “Yes.” It comes out as a squeak and I clear my throat and try again. “Yes.”

The justice of the peace clears his throat and begins. “We are gathered here today to unite…uh…Penn Evans and Abeline Hudson in holy?—”

“Penn Hudson and Adeline Evans,” Penn says softly.

“Right. Penn Hud and Abeline Evans,” the man says.

“Adeline,” Penn and I say at the same time.

“And Penn Hud son ,” Penn adds.

The justice of the peace gets flustered and chuckles. “Sorry! It’s been a long day. Let’s start over.” He clears his throat again. “We are gathered here today to unite…Perry Hudson and Abeline Evans—oh wait.”

Sam lets out a choked laugh, covering his mouth.

Penn shakes his head in amusement. “You know what? Let’s just roll with it. Perry…Penn…Abeline…Adeline. As long as it’s right on the marriage license, we’re golden, right?”

We repeat the vows, the words taking on new meaning as we say them to each other. I don’t know what the future holds for us, not even a little bit, but my takeaway so far is that we’re going to have each other’s backs, no matter what. And more importantly, we’re going to have Sam’s back together.

I’m in for the surprise of my life when we’re asked if we have rings.

I shake my head, feeling bad that I didn’t think of that, and even more when Penn pulls out three…

one for him, and two for me. When he slides a slim band with tiny diamonds on my finger and then another more elaborate ring with three large, beautiful diamonds, also surrounded by tiny diamonds, I gasp.

“Penn! This is beautiful!”

Penn grins and tilts his head toward Sam. “He helped me pick it out.”

I look at Sam and reach out to squeeze his hand. “It’s perfect. Reminds me of the three of us.”

Sam’s eyes widen and his mouth drops. He looks at Penn and then back at me. “That’s what I thought too!” he says, pure excitement in his voice. “Right, Penn?”

“That’s exactly what Sam said.” Penn puts his hand on Sam’s shoulder and the two of them look like they could be related with their brown wavy hair, full lips, and hazel eyes.

“I love it,” I tell them both.

Penn hands me his ring and I slide it on his finger. “I’m sorry I didn’t think of this,” I whisper.

“It’s fine,” he whispers back. “Yours is the one meant to shine anyway…”

He glances at his hand with the ring on and takes a deep breath.

“This suddenly feels very real,” he says, gulping.

I nod. “I know what you mean.”

“I’m so glad you’re doing this with me…life. From the night we met in the Bahamas…it’s been an adventure,” he says.

I press my lips together and nod. “It sure has. And I think we’re about to have more.”

His lips lift, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “I think you’re right about that,” he says, kissing my knuckles. “We’re in this together.”

“In this together,” I echo.

We’re pronounced husband and wife. The justice of the peace doesn’t bother trying to say our names again.

“You may kiss the bride!”

Penn and I stare at each other awkwardly for a moment and then we both step forward. Penn smiles and closes the distance between us. His kiss is soft and so sweet. It lingers longer than I’m expecting and when we part, we blink at each other like we’re both in a fog.

“Woohoo! Perry and Abeline!” Sam says quietly, laughing.

Penn and I crack up and turn to hug him before going over to sign the papers.

“I could’ve just married us myself with my license, but I thought this route would look more official,” Penn says. He grins at me as the justice of the peace fumbles with our paperwork. “Not so sure after all this.”

“I’ll be going over the paperwork thoroughly, don’t worry,” I whisper as we step forward and look at the marriage license.

Once we’ve checked the details, we both sign.

“It’s official!” Penn says. “Oh, you’re taking my name?”

He’s got that sexy smirk again as he looks over at me.

“That okay with you?” I ask.

He reaches for my hand, his fingers lacing with mine. “More than okay, Mrs. Hudson.”