It was maybe an hour later, after our memorable shower and a sampling of the, of course, heart-shaped chocolates we’d found in a candy dish in the kitchen, that we were tucked back in bed, the throw pillows tossed to the floor, the lights out, and Holden back on his side of the bed and me on the other that it really hit me.

By giving in to my years-long attraction and having sex with Holden, I’d upped the stakes incredibly. I might’ve told myself I would deal with the fallout later, that I’d somehow be okay, but lying there in the dark on my wedding night, I knew without a doubt… I was so screwed.

My heart was going to be wholly, devastatingly crushed when this was over.

Chapter 15

Holden

I’d been married for two days—and two nights—and I had to admit… I could easily get used to this. I wouldn’t, because it had an expiration date in 363 days, but for now, “married with benefits” was rocking my world.

It was Sunday morning, and Chloe and I were heading to the Dragonfly Diner for breakfast with my family, instigated by my sister, Hayden. Sometimes the youngest Henry and I butted heads, but since she’d married Zane and become a mom to the cutest little boy in the known universe, she’d mellowed around the edges and we got along better. I had to give her credit for excelling at her mom role, particularly after I’d doubted her when she and Zane had first confessed their oops.

Hayden had insisted we Henrys get together to celebrate my marriage this morning before Cash and I had to head into the restaurant to oversee brunch. It fit Chloe’s and my agenda perfectly—our first married public appearance, which we’d both agreed needed to happen sooner rather than later. The bonus was I’d get some prime spoiling time with six-month-old Harrison.

We’d decided to walk, since the diner was two blocks from my house and it was a bright, sunny spring day. As we turned onto Main, I took Chloe’s hand in mine. She outclassed me in my jeans and polo by a mile this morning, wearing tailored ankle pants, a tank, and a thigh-length draping wrap thing along with heels—lower than her usual, she’d claimed when I’d reminded her we were walking.

I knew she was uneasy but I wasn’t sure why. She looked fantastic. We had this. We didn’t have to fake the affection between us, and we sure as hell didn’t have to fake the sparks.

“You know my family already loves you, right?” I asked as we strolled past several businesses that weren’t yet open for the day—Posh Salon, Fat Cat Yarn Shop, Lake Girl Boutique. “Their shock has passed, and they just want to welcome you into the family.”