I stand there and look at Camden. We’re really doing this.
He grabs my hand gently in his, his mouth tilted up in his trademark cheeky grin. “You ready to marry me?”
I bite back a smile. “Yeah.”
Chapter 11
Camden
Istand at the entrance of Denver City Hall in downtown, waiting for Ellie to arrive.
Nerves fire off inside of me. I don’t know why. I’m not getting married for real.
Still though. I’m doing something I never, ever thought I’d do, and my nervous system is freaking out about it.
But then I think about how Ellie will be able to afford her meds now. She won’t have to go into debt just to survive. She won’t have to live in a dangerous neighborhood anymore.
The nerves inside of me disappear. Relief and happiness course through me.
I think about how sad and broken she looked the other day when I surprised her at her apartment with lunch. My chest aches at the memory of her tear-soaked face, twisted in pain.
How relieved I felt when she finally agreed to get married. Yeah, I’ll be benefiting from this fake marriage too. People will take me more seriously as the husband of a sweet girl like Ellie. And I’ll be taken more seriously as a candidate for alternate captain. I’m happy about that too, of course.
But I’m happier that she won’t ever have to feel that hopeless and broken again, not while she’s married to me and I’m taking care of her.
But even if that wasn’t the case, even if I’d get nothing out of this, I’d still want to marry Ellie.
I’d do anything to make sure she’s happy and healthy. I’d do anything to keep her from suffering. Because she’s my friend.
Your friend…who you have a crush on.
My skin goes hot just thinking about how much I like Ellie. At how my heart rate kicks up when she smiles. At how warm and happy I feel when I hear her do that little laugh-snort. At how my entire body relaxes when I hug her.
Okay, I finally admit to myself.I have a crush on her. Just like I did when I was a kid. But that’s not why I’m doing this. I’m doing this because I care about her.
Because the thought of her struggling to survive makes me crazy, and I can actually do something to help her.
I slide my hand in the pocket of my suit pants and palm the black velvet ring box.
Ellie didn’t mention a ring when we set up a time to meet at the County Court for our city hall wedding, so yesterday, after I helped her move out of her place and into my house, while she was unpacking, I drove to a vintage jewelry store that I remember Ryker mentioning. I bought two gold bands for us to exchange during the ceremony.
I pull the box out of my pocket and open it up. Ellie’s slim gold band, which is lined in tiny diamonds, shimmers in the mid-morning sunlight.
I probably should have had her come with me so she could pick out a ring that she liked, but we’re on a time crunch. We agreed that getting married as soon as possible so that she could get on my health insurance was the best plan.
I really hope she likes it.
“Hey.”
I look up at the sound of Ellie’s sweet voice. She’s standing at the bottom of the stairs, smiling up at me.
My brow hits my hairline. Holy shit. She looks stunning.
She’s wearing this white dress that looks like it’s made of delicate lace. The hem hits just below her knees, flaring out at the bottom in soft waves.
Her hair is long and straight and swept over one shoulder, and she’s holding a bouquet of white daisies.
My mouth parts open. I try to speak as she walks up to me, but I can’t make out any words. My brain is too busy processing how gorgeous she is.
