“You actually thought you could pull a fake divorce over on me?” she asked, containing her laughter as best she could. “I’m an attorney, for goodness’ sake. Not to mention you used Judge Cutter to supposedly help expedite the process. The man hits on me every time he sees me at the courthouse. Every...single...time. He most certainly would have had something to say if he had actually handled my divorce.”
Robert released a weary sigh. “This was all on me, so don’t blame Fletcher for any of this. In fact, he tried to talk me out of doing it, but I insisted.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d fallen in love with you and I was too afraid to tell you.” Robert’s eyes roamed her face. “When you walked out on me...on us, I wasn’t sure what to do. All I did know was that I couldn’t let you go. Then Lawyer Guy showed up.”
Farrah lowered her hands, laughing. “I told you there was nothing going on between us.”
“I know you did,” he said, leaning forward and planting a quick kiss on her lips. “But I felt like I had to do something. Not to mention the fact that you still thought I was a playboy.”
“That I did,” Farrah confirmed in a hushed tone.
“Are you angry?”
“I was at first, but when I thought about the reason you would have done it, even though I don’t like being lied to,” she said, eyes narrowed, a smirk on her face, “I wasn’t mad anymore. I just wanted you to tell me. When you didn’t, I decided to drop a big hint.”
“Hint?” Robert questioned.
“I brought the bogus documents home and left them out in plain sight the last time you came over for dinner.”
“I saw them. I was planning to say something sooner, but I...” Robert ran both hands through his hair. “I knew how wrong I was. Lying and holding you captive in a marriage you didn’t want.”
“A marriage I thought I didn’t want.” She reached for his hands and kissed his palm. “Being in love is very scary. Not knowing where you stand with someone can make you crazy. While I can’t condone your methods, you made your position very clear.” Farrah released his left hand and cupped his face. “You love and want me and you’re willing to do anything to keep me.”
“I absolutely do, baby, more than anything,” Robert affirmed.
Farrah smiled as she fought to keep her emotions in check. “It was a crazy thing to do. It’s right up there with the way Meeks loves and treats my sister and how Paul and John fought to marry. Baby, that’s my kind of love,” she whispered.
Robert grabbed Farrah and kissed away fresh tears that she didn’t even know had started to fall. “So, Farrah Blake-hyphen-Gold?” Robert asked.
“Stay put.” Farrah walked over to the side table in her foyer and opened a drawer. She removed a small box and returned to the sofa where Robert was sitting. Farrah handed him the box. “Here you go.”
“What is it?”
“Open it.”
Robert opened the box and his forehead creased. “A business card holder?”
Farrah chuckled. “Men. Look at the monogram.”
“F.B.G. Farrah Blake Gold...”
“No hyphen, either,” she pointed out.
Robert reached into his pants pocket. “I think this belongs to you.” He took Farrah’s hand and slipped a wedding band with a large, emerald-cut diamond onto her ring finger.
Farrah stared down and gasped. “It’s magnificent, but this isn’t my original ring,” she said.
Robert slanted his head slightly and gifted her with a wide, sexy smile. “It is and it isn’t. I took your original band and had it altered. I wanted to keep it as a reminder of the weekend that changed our lives forever, but I wanted you to have something more because you’re so much more.” Robert kissed her hand.
“I love you...husband.” Farrah leaned in and kissed him.
* * * * *