The Mark I Didn’t Want-The Mate I Never Expected Chapter 10
Soon after, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling came to my parents’ house for a formal proposal dinner.
Baton and I set our wedding date for early summer.
On the day of our wedding photoshoot, Mia Mercer reached out to me.
She asked me out for coffee.
She looked exhausted and pale. “Shane and I broke up.”
I shrugged. “You never really liked him anyway.
Mia opened up to me on her own.
“I’m sorry. The only reason I went after Shane in the first place was because of you.”
“I had a thing for Baron-and I noticed he kept driving to campus, always watching you from a distance but never coming close. It drove me crazy with jealousy.”
“I’d known him since we were kids. I thought he was cold to every woman-so why did he make an
exception for you?”
“I couldn’t stand it. So I decided to take Shane, just to get back at you. But all it did was push you straight into Baron’s arms. I brought it on myself.”
“And the worst part?”
“I actually agreed to date Shane. I figured if I couldn’t marry Baron, I’d at least be his sister-in-law and see him every day.”
“But when the full moons came, I threw myself at Shane, and he never touched me.”
“Both brothers fell for you. I’m so jealous I could scream.”
I took a sip of my coffee. “Then keep being jealous.”
Mia snorted. “No thanks. I’ve already applied to study abroad. My mom said I should date around while I’m young-get a few failed relationships out of my system. Best cure for a love-obsessed mindset. She said once you get over that, life actually gets fun. And honestly? I’m starting to look forward to it.”
I had to admit -Mia was actually kind of cute now.
She stood up to leave.
“But for the record-a man’s love-obsessed devotion is the best thing he can bring to a marriage.”
“Congratulations. I mean it.”
“Thanks,” I said.
I thought about what Mia said-and she was right about one thing.
Just because I knew Baron loved me didn’t mean I could stop growing.
After the wedding, I kept going with my studies. I went to grad school, then a PhD program.
I graduated with honors and landed a spot at a top-tier research institute.
Every time Baron came to pick me up from work, he’d make sure everyone knew I was taken-like he was terrified some male colleague might get ideas. I thought he was overthinking it.
But watching men compete? Pretty entertaining.
Shane, especially, refused to date anyone.
Mrs. Sterling kept trying to set him up, but he wouldn’t budge.
Every time she brought it up, he’d sneak a glance at me.
Like he was trying to prove something-to whom, I had no idea.
And I couldn’t have cared less.
Baron, though-every time Shane looked my way, he’d pull me into his arms, blocking Shane’s
view.
He got so worked up that he’d spend the whole night making sure I knew exactly who I belonged to.
Honestly? I thought his jealous side was adorable.
Sometimes he’d even make sure the bed creaked extra loud-loud enough to carry through three
rooms.
I laughed. “You’re so childish.”
He looked at me, and I could see my whole world reflected in his eyes.
Then I had an idea.
“Let’s go skiing.”
Nve been avoiding the mountains ever since that accident.”
“I need to face it. Being brave isn’t about not being scared-it’s about pushing through anyway.
Baron had his own trauma from that day on the mountain.
But he agreed. He took me to Timberline Peak.
The guards were more nervous than both of us combined-they set up security everywhere.
And we spent the most romantic weekend of our lives on that mountain.
He got the hang of carrying me in a princess hold while skiing-six-foot-plus hunk, gliding down the slopes like it was nothing.
The wind rushed past my ears as I held tight around his neck and screamed.
“Baron, I love you!”
He kissed me, deep and long. “I love you too.”
