"Do you? Because Grizzly Ridge isn't exactly known for keeping secrets. People are going to ask questions. They're going to want to know why Sawyer McKenna suddenly married his childhood friend after being determinedly single his whole life."
Heat rises in my cheeks. I hadn't thought about that part, about the scrutiny we'll face from a town that's watched both of us grow up. About the questions, gossip, and speculation that will follow us everywhere we go.
"What do we tell them?"
"The truth." His answer surprises me. "That we've known each other forever, that we care about each other, that it felt like the right time to make it official."
"But that's not the truth."
Something flickers across his face, too quick for me to interpret. "Isn't it?"
Before I can ask what he means, his phone buzzes. He glances at the screen and frowns.
"I need to get to the station. There's been an accident on Highway 12." He stands, already reaching for his keys and badge. "Can you be ready to go in an hour? The county clerk opens at eight."
"Yes. But Sawyer, what about Tommy? I need to pick him up from Mrs. Chen's house. She's been watching him overnight, but I can't keep imposing on her."
"Bring him with you. It’s time people in this town meet their future stepson anyway."
Future stepson. The words send a strange little thrill through me, even though I know this is all pretend. Even though I know that in six months, we'll quietly divorce and go back to our separate lives.
Even though I know that Sawyer McKenna is doing this out of friendship and duty, not because he has any real desire to be my husband.
"I'll see you in an hour," I promise, already gathering my purse and keys.
He nods, all business now, the sheriff taking over from the man who just agreed to turn his entire life upside down for me.
His voice stops me one more time, as I reach the door.
"Lisa?"
I turn back.
"For what it's worth, I think Emma would be proud of you. For fighting for Tommy. For doing whatever it takes to protect him."
The words hit me square in the chest, and suddenly I'm blinking back tears I didn't know were coming.
"Thank you," I whisper.
And then I'm walking back to my car, the morning sun warming my face and something that feels dangerously close to hope blooming in my chest.
In one hour, I'm going to begin the process of marrying Sawyer McKenna.
God help us both.
3
SAWYER
The accident on Highway 12 turns out to be a fender bender between two tourists who can't figure out how to exchange insurance information without screaming at each other. Takes me twenty minutes to sort out what should have been a five-minute conversation, and by the time I'm done playing referee, it's already eight-thirty.
I'm supposed to meet Lisa at the county clerk's office in fifteen minutes to get our marriage license.
Our marriage license.
The thought still doesn't feel real, even though I've been turning it over in my head for the past hour. Lisa Graham is going to be my wife. Fake wife, temporary wife, but still. The girl I've been in love with since I was old enough to understand what love meant is going to wear my ring and take my name and sleep under my roof.
Even if it's all pretend.
