A Date to Play Fore - Heidi McLaughlin Page 0,29

to Bryan, you bet? In my defense though, I had no idea who you were or that he even had a sister. It was just my mouth saying shit to piss him off and when I got the reaction from him, I knew I had touched a nerve.

“So, now I’m here, begging for a second chance. One date. You and me. You decide what we’re going to do. I want an opportunity to show you I’m not the guy your brother makes me out to be.”

Leah stands there, staring. I can only hope she’s listened to everything I’ve had to say and believes me. If not, I have to live with what I said and move on.

“And what kind of man is that?” she asks.

“The kind that goes to really odd extremes to see the woman he loves.” I take a chance and step closer to her. When she doesn’t move, I take another step.

“No one has ever done something so outlandish to see me before. Honestly, I expected to hear my name shouted over the loudspeaker or to find you sitting at my front door.”

“All things that went through my mind, but there are photographers outside and I didn’t want them or you to know I was here.” I step closer to her, putting us within arm’s reach.

She glares at me and then her lips lift up in a smirk. “Pretty clever.”

I nod. “That’s me, always thinking on my toes, and possibly regretting things later. Hospitals are dungeons.”

Leah laughs and it’s the most amazing sound to hear right now. I close the gap and play with the ends of her ponytail. “I’m really sorry, Leah. I should’ve told you about the stupid comment but it’s not like it’s something you can throw out into a conversation.”

She shrugs. “No, I guess it’s not.”

My fingertips trail down the side of her face and she turns into my touch. “I love you,” I tell her. “I knew my feelings were strong, but I had no idea I was in love with you until you stood across from me and professed your fake love for me. Everything I said, standing there holding your hands at the altar, I meant. When I look at you, I see my future. I see the mother of my children, my partner in life and everything else that comes along. But I understand if you don’t feel the same way.”

“I do,” she says, leaving me confused.

“You do see a future or don’t feel the same way?”

Leah smiles and cups my cheeks. “I love you too, Greyson, and I don’t care what my family thinks.” She presses her lips to mine and instantly deepens the kiss. When we part our foreheads rest against each other’s.

“Your mom is our advocate, Leah. She gave me your luggage and your address.”

Leah stands tall and chuckles. “That figures. She said she saw something in the way you looked at me in our wedding photo.”

“She’s right. You’re the one.”

“That’s good to hear because I really like the idea of being your one, Greyson.”

I pull her back into my arms and hug the shit out of her until someone clears their throat. Leah sighs and says, “Come on, I have a gaggle of giddy nurses who want to meet you and probably some doctors too.”

“That’s fine,” I tell her. “As long as you introduce me as your husband.”

Leah doesn’t say anything, but she rolls her eyes and pulls me toward the door. “Everyone, this is my husband, Greyson Jennings.”

Now, the only thing to do is to find out how to make this marriage legit.

10

Leah

Thanks to my awesome co-workers, Greyson and I were able to sneak out of the hospital without being seen by the paparazzi. I decided to leave my car in the parking garage for the night. For the first time in my life, the media was focused on me. I never thought I’d be their center of attention. I’m not a stranger to evading the cameras. The media has always tried getting pictures of my father and brother, both on and off the golf course, and with that, me and my mother. I’ve had my picture in the tabloids ever since I was a little girl.

As soon as we get to my house, I change out of my scrubs and into a pair of gym shorts and a bright pink tank top. Before I walk out, my mother texts me.

Mom: We’re back in town. Hope everything is okay?

I can’t help but smile.

Me: All