Page 96 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“As entertaining as it is to watch you struggle, It’s getting late so I’ll save you the trouble.”

I tilted my head.

“This is about Kaylani,” Nathaniel said with a smirk.

The walls felt like they were closing in on me.

“Yes.”

“The two of you have been in love for years, and you’ve finally gotten off your ass and done something about it.”

I sucked in a shuddering breath.

“You know?”

He scoffed and flashed me a wicked smile.

“Of course, I know. I’ve always known. Kaylani has stared at you like the sun rises and sets out of your ass since…forever. And I saw the way you looked at her when she got home from Wayward. I’m your best friend. I’m not blind.”

“Shit.” I dragged a hand down my face. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come to you months ago. I just…” I licked my lips and forced the rest out. There was no point in holding anything back now. “Look. I know I don’t deserve her, and I fought it. The thing is, I love her. I know that makes me a terrible friend, but I couldn’t resist her any longer. And honestly, I thought the novelty of sneaking around with a guard would wear off, and she’d move on. I never thought she’d actually love me back.” I ran my hand through my hair. “If you want to shoot me, I get it.”

Nathaniel barked out a laugh.

“You’re such an idiot.”

“Thanks, asshole.”

My hand shook as I grabbed my drink and took a large gulp, the burn helping to steady me.

“Seriously, you’re an idiot. Did you really think I’d be pissed?”

I stared at him. “Yeah, I did. I’m having sex with your sister. That breaks all the bro codes.”

“Okay, I didn’t need that mental image. Goran, there is no one I trust more than you. You’re a brother to me. My son thinks of you as his uncle. That is how close we are. Not only that, but I know you will protect her with your life. There is no one better for my sister than you.”

“Jesus Christ.” I slumped into the couch as the tension I had been carrying around finally lifted.

“Now, am I pissed you didn’t think you could say anything when this first started? Yeah, I am. You should fucking know that you can come to me with anything.”

“Fuck. I can’t say sorry enough. You’re really okay with this?”

He cocked his brow.

I chuckled.

“Point taken. Well, I might as well tell you all of it then.”

He grabbed his drink. “She’s pregnant?”

“No, but she did marry me.”

The glass stopped on the way to his lips. “What?”

“Remember the Arizona show, and how I was off when I got back? Remember how you were worried that Kaylani would run off with some random guy and get married?”

He nodded.

“Kaylani took matters into her own hands because she knew I would never ask her to marry me. I know how this world works, and there was no way your father would give his blessing. She drugged me, flew us to Vegas, and then married me.” I held up my hand with the black-and-gold ring.