Page 32 of Meant for Mayhem

Expected her to run the moment I told her how heavy Leena’s past was, and how challenging our future would be.

Instead, she stood there, as fierce as ever, reminding me why I’d said her name so easily.

“You know,” Shannon said, “you still haven’t asked me.”

I frowned.

“You’ve apologized for telling everyone I was your wife.”

“I did.”

“And I told you we’d revisit it if this little experiment worked.”

“It did.”

“It did.” She tipped her head. “So, are you going to man up and ask? Or are we going to stand here in the parking lot until the sun goes down?”

For a second, I took her in—the stubborn set of her jaw, one dark brow raised, the slight downturn of her luscious mouth—while the reality of this situation settled.

“Yesterday, I drove to Linwood, not sure how to tell the team I’d lied without looking completely insane. I came here expecting to apologize to you and hoping you’d forgive me for dragging you into the biggest mess I’ve ever made. But watching you with my daughter in the stands made me realize, I don’t think I made a mistake.”

Her mouth parted on the softest inhale, and I had to force myself not to notice. The words settled between us before I realized they were true. But rather than panicking, I took a step closer, forcing her to look up at me.

Those dark eyes roamed my face, looking for honesty, so I made sure she saw it when I dropped to one knee in front of her. “Shannon Wilder, will you marry me?”

“Oh my god, get up.” A blush spread up her neck, painting her cheeks with the deepest pink I couldn’t help but adore while she pulled me back to my feet.

“Now I know how Mason feels every time Tate turns him down. Is that a yes?”

“It’s not a no if you quit embarrassing me. Are we stopping at the courthouse on the way out of town?”

This time it was my turn to inhale a surprised breath, but she had a point. If we left this parking lot unmarried, I’d spend every moment after inventing reasons this plan would fail.

Today was probably the only day I’d be brave enough to do it.

“You’re moving to Denver today?” I asked.

“Yes. My rental car is packed and waiting.”

“And you’re sure about this?”

“We get married, and I live with you, helping with Leena for the season,” she clarified.

“For as long as you’re happy with us.”

Shannon blinked, and I wasn’t sure which one of us looked more surprised by my words. “I was prepared to make fun of your proposal, but that was pretty good. Maybe you won’t be the worst husband after all.”

“I...” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Good.”

She laughed, then started toward her car. “See you at the courthouse in an hour. I’ll be the one in black.”

I watched her go until she disappeared behind a row of parked cars, then looked back at Leena sleeping peacefully in the backseat, wondering how my life had changed so fast.

My last hour as a single man passed quicker than I expected.

I drove around Linwood making every phone call I could think of while my daughter snoozed in her car seat. By the time I pulled into the courthouse parking lot, I’d updated my emergency contacts, had the team forward every form they’d need Shannon to sign before traveling with us, started her health insurance paperwork, and canceled her rental car. We could fit everything she owned into my SUV and make one trip to Denver instead of two.

The list kept growing as I drove.