“Most people do that before they get married.”
“Yeah, you’re right, Lynn. We did everything backward and didn’t even mean to. If we didn’t feel anything for each other, then I’d beg for you to call the attorney tomorrow morning and we would file for a quick and easy divorce. But we do feel something for each other.”
Her heart squeezed and uncertainty filled her “I want to do the right thing. I want to make the right decision.”
“Honestly, babe, when it comes to the heart, all you can do is go for it.”
Her brow furrowed as she tried to think through all the possibilities. “So, if I don’t call the attorney tomorrow, then what? Will it be harder to do this down the road?”
“I say we stay married. We give it a shot.” He gave her hand a little jerk, and quickly added, “I’m not talking about sex. We don’t even have to have sex. That’s not what this is about. I just want us to spend more time together. Get to know each other more. I’ve only got a couple of weeks of my recuperation and then I go back. But I want us to stay married and give this relationship our all, long enough to decide if what we felt during those two days was real.”
“Are we setting a timeline for this?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely not. There’s no timeline on the heart.”
A giggle erupted, and she could not hold it back. He chuckled along with her and shook his head. “I’m glad my team couldn’t hear me say that goofy line.” Their mirth cut through the tense emotions. He leaned forward and with his free hand cupped her cheek. “All I’m asking is for you to give us a chance.”
She nodded, leaning her weight into his hand. “Okay, I promise I won’t call the attorney tomorrow morning. I won’t do anything without letting you know, but I need to think about this.”
His smile spread across his face, and a sigh left his lips. He stood and gently pulled her to her feet. “There’s nothing I’d like to do more than stay right now, but I don’t want to crowd you.” He pulled her close and kissed her lightly, and just like with every kiss, she melted toward him. He ended it much too soon, then pressed her cheek against his strong heartbeat and kissed the top of her head.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, babe.”
He let her go and she instantly felt the chill of their separation. She fought the desire to call him back, watching him walk out her door instead.
For the next several days while Lynn was at work, Nolan decided to help his dad. Still not carrying anything very heavy, he nonetheless stayed busy on the newest house his father’s business was constructing. Besides the manual labor, he spent time in their office, learning more about the sales, ordering materials, hiring contractors, and payroll. What had seemed uninteresting when he was in his early twenties he now discovered he enjoyed.
He and Lynn had spent the last several evenings together, and tonight, he wanted to take her out on a date. They had gone about everything backward, now dating after marrying first, but he wanted to show her that what they had was real.
Today, he was on a ladder, pounding nails into the door frames being installed. His dad was in the next room, overseeing the electrical contractor.
“Nick! Nolan!”
Recognizing his mother’s voice, he climbed from the ladder and walked into the next room. His gaze landed on his parents as his dad bent to kiss his mom and caught the look they shared as she lifted her hand and caressed her husband’s cheek. Waiting for their moment to end, he then walked over to hug her, catching a whiff of burgers and fries.
She beamed at the two of them and said, “I had to run out and mail some things for Nancy, so I thought I’d stop by and bring you lunch.”
He helped his mom drape a clean painter’s drop-cloth onto the floor, giving them a place to picnic, while Nick went back to the car to get the sodas. She handed out the hamburgers and fries, and he dove in, ready to assuage his hunger.
Their conversation was light, but as they finished the meal, Rita reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope. Shooting a glance toward Nick, she held the envelope out to Nolan and said, “This came in the mail today.”
Brow furrowed, he reached for the envelope and ripped it open, pulling out the single piece of paper inside. Unfolding it, he gazed at the official marriage certificate, his gaze roving over the words. His heart pounded as he memorized the script, recognizing their shaky, handwritten signatures. He looked up to find both parents staring intently at him.
“Are you okay?” his mom asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, I am.”
His parents shared a glance, then turned their attention back to him, his dad speaking first. “Son, we haven’t wanted to pry, but… well, we just wondered how you and Lynn are handling this.”
He scrubbed his hand over his face and heaved a sigh. “The two days that Lynn and I spent together were special. More special than I’ve ever had before or even thought I would have. So, while everything happened backward, I asked her to not call an attorney until we have a chance to find out if we have a future.”
His mom clapped her hands with glee, crying, “I know all of this was not how you wanted it to be, Son, but I truly think you two could be so happy together.”
“I hope I’m not raining on your parade,” his dad began, “because I really like Lynn. But you’re getting ready to leave in a couple of weeks. I guess I’m wondering—and perhaps worrying—about how the two of
