I cover my mouth with my hand so they can’t hear my fit of laughter. Once I’ve calmed myself, I clear my throat.
“Robert’s and my marriage wasn’t real, which is why I’m not on the honeymoon, because I got married beforehand.”
The line goes silent, and I check the screen to make sure I didn’t lose them.
Finally, Everleigh speaks up. “You were legally married to someone else before the wedding?”
“Yes, that way I could get Robert to sign the deed over to me, and I didn’t have to actually marry him.
“That’s fucking brilliant!” Katie squeals. “You played him! I should’ve thought of that.”
“Wait!” Everleigh shouts between Katie and me laughing. “Who’d you marry?”
“Well, it’s someone I know you’ll both like…” I tease.
“Ruby?” Katie shouts.
I snort and make a mental note to have Tyler call her later. “No!”
Tyler’s dying next to me, trying his hardest to keep quiet.
“Oh my God…” Everleigh drawls out. “Did you marry my brother?”
“Hey, sis,” Tyler says.
“Holy shit!” Katie shrieks. “You and Tyler got married? No fucking way…”
“Are you serious?” Everleigh’s voice shakes, and I can tell she’s nearly in tears.
“Yep. He helped me come up with the whole plan. Got Robert out of town for a couple of days to get my shit back, put up security cameras, and scammed him into giving me the property.”
“That’s some genius shit right there,” Katie says.
“Are you guys staying married? Or…what’s going on?” Everleigh asks.
Tyler and I look at each other with stupid grins on our face. “We sure are,” Tyler responds. “I’m moving in with Gemma, and we’re starting our life together.”
“I have goose bumps!” Katie squeals.
“I’m so happy for you guys!” Everleigh’s full-on crying. “And how dare you not tell me this beforehand! For two miserable fucking weeks, I had to watch my best friend make the worst decision of her life, and there was nothing I could do. I’d hate you both right now if I wasn’t so damn happy you’re finally together.”
“Sorry, we had to keep it a secret so there was no way Robert would catch wind of it before he signed on Monday.”
“Then I kept her hostage for two days to…” He pauses, waggling his brows at me, but I shake my head at him to keep his mouth shut.
“Yeah, yeah. To bang each other’s brains out.” Everleigh groans.
We talk and laugh for the next ten minutes before we end the call. I’m so happy, my heart feels like it’ll burst out of my chest.
“Who should we call next?” he asks.
“What about your friends Liam and Maddie?”
“Hmm.” He ponders it for a moment. “How would you feel about telling them in person? Maybe over Christmas?”
I instantly perk up. “I’d absolutely love that, Mr. Blackwood.”
“It’s no Hawaiian honeymoon, but I promise to give you everything you deserve. Including a real wedding ring.” He rubs over my bare ring finger.