Jarrett let out a loud groan. “Not this again.”
Why had Juanita been pushing him toward having a ceremony? She knew the marriage wasn’t real.
“I told him that’s tough.” Juanita raised her voice to cover his. “I told him you deserve a real wedding with a long white dress and a preacher to marry you the right way.”
“Rylie doesn’t like to be the center of attention in front of a big crowd any more than I do,” Jarrett said.
“It wouldn’t have to be like that,” Juanita argued. “It could be small, just your closest friends. And Rylie would look amazing in a bridal gown.”
“You’re right. She would.”
At Jarrett’s declaration, Rylie darted a shocked gaze. Big mistake! The heat in his eyes shot across the room and steamed her from the inside out. She grabbed the front of her shirt, moving it quickly to fan herself.
Why was he doing this to her? If sole custody of Gabe was his goal, he shouldn’t keep teasing her, making her not only wish a divorce wasn’t imminent, but also that the marriage was real, in every sense of the word. That toe-curling kiss had awakened desires she didn’t even know she had.
She couldn’t keep going on like this for four more weeks. Brooke had told her to be honest. It was time to put everything on the table. Maybe having Juanita there would keep her physical attraction from clouding the issues.
“There’s not going to be a wedding, because Jarrett and I are getting a divorce.” She didn’t have to look at Jarrett to know he was glaring at her.
Juanita sucked in an audible breath, her mouth gaping. “But why? Everything is perfect. You get along great. You got approved to adopt Gabe. And from the looks of that kiss when I walked in, you’re ready to start making babies together.”
“That’s not enough to build a marriage on,” Rylie said, hugging herself to stop her shaking. “We’d have to be in love. Both of us.”
“You are in love.” Juanita’s hands went to her hips, her head wagging from side to side. “I know it. Lottie knows it. Jarrett’s momma knows. His sisters. You’d have to be blind not to see it. Or stubborn as all get out.”
“You see the way Jarrett acts around me, and you think it’s love. But it isn’t. Not really.” Rubbing her arms, Rylie stood up, in hopes that moving around would help her stay calm. “He treats me with respect and caring, the same way he treats you and Gabe and Lottie and everyone else he interacts with. But that’s not the kind of love you build a marriage on.”
Juanita gave her a you-are-crazy-in-the-head look. “Honey, you may think he treats you and me the same, but I promise he’s never given me a kiss like that one he was laying on you a few minutes ago.”
“Can I say something?” Jarrett rose to his feet, and continued without waiting for an answer. “I don’t know why you’re putting this off on me, Rylie, when you’re the one who wants to end the marriage. Tell her! Tell Juanita about the guy. The one you’ve been in love with since before we got married. The one you want to have babies with.”
Juanita moved until she was standing in front of Rylie, her expression filled with more disappointment than shock. “Is that true?”
Rylie had to be completely honest, even though it was mortifying to admit how long she’d been pining over Jarrett. She knew he would respond with guilt and pity. He might even offer to stay in the marriage. But she wouldn’t give in to such a selfish temptation. He deserved to be happy.
“It’s true. There’s a guy I’ve been in love with for a really long time.” Dry eyes and a steady voice covered the trembling mess she was inside. “His name is—”
“Jarrett?” A man’s voice at the door accompanied a knock. The door swung open, and Matthew stepped inside.
“Matthew,” Jarrett said. “Now’s not a good time.”
“Why?” He looked at Gabe, lying motionless on the hospital bed. “Is Gabe… is he not doing well?”
“No, Gabe’s okay. Well, he’s going to be. The antibiotics are starting to work.”
Matthew took a wide berth around the hospital bed and offered a hand to Juanita. “Hi, I’m Matthew, Jarrett’s attorney.”
“I’m Juanita, his guilty conscience.”
Matthew and Juanita shared a chuckle, ignoring Jarrett’s glare.
“They made me slather that disinfectant on three different times on the way here and again outside the room,” Matthew said. “I guess this infection stuff is really dangerous.”
“Yes, it is,” Jarrett said. “It would be best if you left and came back another day.”
Rylie didn’t have the nerve to be so rude to Matthew, but she secretly hoped he would take Jarrett’s advice. She didn’t want him to spill the beans about her email.
“First, we need to clear something up,” Matthew said.
“It can wait.” Jarrett’s clamped jaw muscles flexed.
“It’s about the divorce,” said Matthew. “The one you told me you didn’t want when you were in my office today.”
“Right,” Jarrett said. “Things have changed. We’ll talk about it later.”
“But I got this email…”
“I think Jarrett’s right.” The closest to Matthew, Rylie caught his arm, gently herding him backwards. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“The thing is,” Matthew said, “You can’t both give full custody to the other person. So one of you must be confused.”
Rylie stopped, trying to make sense of his words. “What are you saying?”
“That each of you sent a separate email stating you wanted the other person to have full custody of Gabe. So one of you must’ve made an error.”
“It was Rylie.” “It was Jarrett.” They spoke in unison, their glances clashing like swords.
“The whole reason we’re getting the divorce is so Jarrett can have full custody,” Rylie said. “It’s his dream, and I want him to have it.”
