The Man I Thought I Trusted - E. L. Todd Page 0,55
just not really into that…unless that’s important to you.”
I shook my head. “Now that my parents are gone, not really.”
“You want to do something small, then?”
“Yes. We can even go down to city hall if you want.”
“And get sandwiches afterward?” she said with a smile.
“Doesn’t sound bad to me.”
“I just want to wear a wedding dress. Whether we go to city hall or have a ceremony, I want to look beautiful, you know?”
“And you’ll look fiiiiine in a wedding dress.”
She smiled. “Especially in a low-cut one with a high slit up the side.”
“And lingerie underneath.”
“Ooh, even better.”
“When did you want to do this?”
She shrugged. “When did you want to do this?”
I’d marry her tomorrow or a year from now. “The ball is in your court, sweetheart. We both know I would have married you tonight if that’s what you wanted. So, I’ll let you decide.”
“All up to me, huh?” she whispered.
“No pressure. We can be engaged for years, and then if you suddenly get the urge, we can walk down and do it. Just in the moment.”
“I don’t want to be engaged for years.”
“Then, a year?”
She shrugged. “We’re already living together, so…”
“Meaning?”
“Why don’t we get married in a month or something?”
I really liked that answer.
“We’ve both done this before, and we both know this is right. Why wait?”
Couldn’t agree more. “You don’t need to live with me first to make sure you can tolerate me?”
“Tolerate you?” she said with a laugh. “Have you not heard all the horror stories my friends have told? I’m the tornado that’s going to rip this penthouse apart.”
“I like a challenge, so that works for me.”
“It’s nice to be with a man who can handle my craziness.”
I smiled. “It’s nice to be with a sexy, crazy-ass bitch.”
She laughed loudly, loving the way I described her. “That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“Yeah?” I moved slightly on top of her so I could look down at her beautiful face and watch her continue to laugh. “I meant it.”
She cupped my face as her laughter subsided and her eyes warmed. “I know you do.”
“Geez, what happened?” Renee stood in front of my desk and looked down at me.
I lifted my chin and looked at her. “Sorry?”
“You look like a fucking clown right now.” She made a big smile, showing all her teeth with her eyes wide. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“Because I’m happy, dumbass.” I rose from my chair and smoothed out of my tie as I looked at my sister.
“But you’re, like, really happy. Crazy happy.”
I slid my hands into my pockets and considered how I would tell her.
“You really like Carson living with you, huh?”
“It’s not just that.”
“Then what?”
“I asked her to marry me—and she said yes.”
Her jaw immediately dropped, and her lips parted in shock. “Oh my god…”
“Yep.” I didn’t have any fear that the past would repeat itself, that I’d made another wrong decision. Carson should have been my wife in the first place. If only I’d met her sooner. “That crazy-ass bitch is going to be your sister-in-law.”
She was still in shock. “I just had no idea that’s where your head was at.”
“It’s been that way since the moment I met her, honestly. I told you she was the one.”
“But I didn’t expect you to propose so quickly…after everything that happened.”
“It’s different this time. I’m not worried about it.”
She regained her composure and crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, I’m happy for you. It’s been a long time since you’ve been happy.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“So, you’re going to get married in a year or something? Big wedding? Am I going to be a bridesmaid?”
“No, we aren’t doing that. Neither one of us cares for that. Just going to go down to city hall in a month.”
Now Renee looked shocked all over again. “In a month?”
I started to hear the rain behind me, pelting the windows with drops that created elemental background music. “Yes.”
“You don’t think that’s fast?” she asked hesitantly. “You’ve known her for what…six months?”
“When you know, you know.”
Renee still looked visibly uncomfortable, like she might vomit.
“I didn’t realize you still disliked Carson.” Whether Renee liked her or not, it wouldn’t change my decision. Carson was the only woman in this world who would make me happy. I wouldn’t let her go. My sister would just have to change her opinion.
“It’s not that I dislike her. It’s just… I don’t want the past to repeat itself.”
“It won’t.”
“So, you’re getting a prenup?” she asked. “I guess if you