Without a Hitch by Avery Maxwell

Author:Avery Maxwell [Maxwell, Avery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: That's What She Said Publishing
Published: 2022-07-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

TILLY

“Why would you do this? Why don’t you allow weddings at your hotels? That seems like professional suicide. Why are you willing to hand them over to someone you don’t even know?” Questions pour from my lips as I sink back into my chair with a heavy thud.

None of this makes sense. I shove a mini quiche into my mouth to give my brain a second to catch up. I’m almost surprised food and spittle haven’t flown from my lips yet.

I’ve lost all comprehension of basic manners, and I can’t even control it. I cram a giant bite of eggs Benedict into my mouth, another question forming before I even remove the fork. “What if you don’t close your deal? Will that be my fault? Is that your easy out?” A bite of waffle joins the eggs, and I start cutting into the next dish straight out of the serving tray. “Why are you spending so much energy trying to force my hand?” I swallow hard, and then a piece of cheesy omelet melts behind my lips. “You could sleep with anyone. This doesn’t seem very…”

A napkin blocks my vision, and I realize I’ve been chattering away and hovering over the plates.

Lochlan stands inches away with a bemused smirk on his face.

“I’m a nervous eater, okay? Why did you order so much food? This is…” Heaven? Amazing? “Wasteful,” the bitter part of me desperate for control bites out.

He shrugs as if my foul mood and disgusting manners don’t faze him. “Three weeks to woo you, Tilly. Three weeks of wineries, the beach, and me. If we realize we're not compatible at the end of our time, I’ll fulfill my end of the bargain. I promise.”

I wave my fork wildly, and he carefully pulls his arm back to avoid being stabbed. My brain refuses to come up with a reason I can’t do this. A reason I shouldn’t do this.

“I…” With a frown, I take a deep breath and slow my manic chewing. Suddenly whatever medley of brunch I’m munching on feels like glue, and I’m not sure it will make it down my throat. When I swallow, the food lodges like when you take an Advil without water. It sits there, letting you know it was a stupid decision, but now that it’s there, you have no choice but to suck down your own saliva and make it work.

“Do you think you’ll ever change your mind about marriage?” I finally manage.

He shakes his head.

“Will you tell me why?”

Lochlan contemplates his answer. I can see his brain working behind shrewd eyes. “Possibly, after we spend some time together. Will you tell me why happiness hinges on a wedding for you?”

“It’s not the wedding, lover. It’s the marriage and what it means.”

He tilts his head, tugging on his earlobe with one hand and adjusting his vest with his other as he watches me. “What does it mean to you?”

“That I’m worth sticking around for. Fighting for,” I answer honestly. “I deserve at least that much.

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