I pull in a ragged breath. When she looks at me, waiting for me to continue, her gaze pierces straight through me.
“I—” Lennon starts, then stops. She’s conflicted, which I’m not at all surprised by. I’m offering a lot here.
Instead of waiting for her, I continue to sell her my idea. “So we say we drove to Vegas and got hitched. I know it sounds crazy, but people do it all the time since there’s no waiting period. We’ll say you got pregnant right after the wedding before we even told anyone we eloped. They don’t know how far along you are and won’t know the difference if you move it back a few weeks. You can hide your belly, and when the baby arrives, we’ll just say he or she is just early. I’m sure it’s nothing new for due dates to be off,” I tell her confidently while trying to keep my voice even and calm.
“Aww.” Maddie interrupts our moment, looking back and forth between us as if I just confessed my undying love to Lennon, and considering my words, I somewhat have. I want Lennon to say something, but she doesn’t. Meanwhile, Sophie grins wide, eating up every word.
“This really could work,” Sophie confirms with a nod, looking at Lennon and me. “It’s actually really smart and nearly foolproof. If you told me this, I’d believe it one hundred percent. Plus, you’re really not showing, at least nothing you couldn’t hide with some yoga pants and a baggy T-shirt, so you could play it off like you’re still in your first trimester instead of entering your second.”
As I look at Lennon, I know she’s in her head, and I want to talk her off the ledge and tell her I’m here, that I’ve always been here and always will be, but she knows. I can’t allow her to go through this by herself; she’s already lost so much. Losing her parents would nearly kill her, and I know it’s not healthy for the baby for her to be this stressed out. Though she talks about how strict they were, she loves them with everything she is, that much is certain.
“Lennon,” I plead, barely above a whisper. “Talk to me, please.”
By the way she’s looking at me, I wish I wouldn’t have said anything with Sophie and Maddie around, but it was a random thought that popped into my head, one that will actually solve all her problems. Her sisters would’ve found out eventually if this plan goes through because they’ll have to be in on it too. As I beg with my eyes for her to speak, Lennon’s demeanor changes, and she shakes her head.
“Hunter, have you seriously lost your mind?” She rests her hand over her belly as if she’s needing to protect the baby, which is exactly what I’m trying to do.
That was not the response I was expecting.
Maddie’s mouth falls open in shock.
“Have you all lost your minds?” Lennon fires back at us. “I’ll have to pretend to be married until the end of time. They don’t allow divorce either, so then what? Anytime I have to go for a visit or they come here, we’re gonna continue pretending? What if I meet someone who actually wants to marry me? Or what if you meet someone?” She points her gaze at me. “Think she’ll let me borrow you for the weekend when it’s time to visit my parents?” She raises her brows in a mocking question.
The thought of her ever being with someone else rips a dagger through me. I don’t want to find anyone; that’s the problem. I’m not sure when either of us will be ready for that.
“I do understand, Lennon,” I say, treading carefully. “When that happens”—the word when is a knife in my heart—“we’ll cross that bridge then. If you need a divorce or a way out, you can blame it all on me, just say I was unfaithful and walked out or something.” The words taste like poison as they leave my mouth. I know this is all fake and worst-case scenario, but I hate thinking of there being a time when Lennon isn’t in my life. “All I’m suggesting is an option that’ll make you stress-free and keep your parents happy,” I simply say.
“You make it sound so easy,” she says softer, sounding defeated. “Lying to my parents to cover up another lie. It’s not gonna be as easy as you think.”
I nod, understanding her concerns. I know it won’t be, considering my true feelings for her, but I know she needs an out, and I’m offering her an option.
“Just think about it. We have time still. I’ll do whatever you need or want, Lennon. You know that, but you’ll need to decide soon so we can prepare and get our stories straight.” I stand, knowing she probably needs some space. “Either way, I’m going with you to Utah because you’re not going by yourself,” I tell her matter-of-factly.