A minute later, we’re at the top of the stairs, facing each other while the officiant begins his remarks. One of the city employees from his office stands off to the side as our witness, smiling at us. She holds up my phone, which I gave her before the ceremony, to record our vows and to snap a few photos of us.
I try to smile, despite how nervous I feel. This needs to look convincing. We need to look like a real couple getting married. Especially given how quickly we’re getting married after reconnecting. Otherwise, people will doubt our marriage, which could ruin everything.
I notice Ellie fidgeting with the lace on her dress. I reach over and grab her free hand in mine. When I lock gazes with her, the nerves dial back.
“Good?” I mouth.
Her expression relaxes, and she gives me a shy smile. She nods.
“My hands are a little clammy,” Ellie whispers. “I’m nervous.”
I chuckle. “It’s okay.”
The officiant turns to me, and I get ready for the vows.
When we registered at the front, he asked us if we’d like to recite our own vows or if we wanted to follow the standard ceremony. Ellie and I opted for the standard ceremony. We didn’t prepare our own vows because this marriage isn’t real for us, and we felt bad making up vows. That’s something real couples do, not friends who are getting married for health insurance and to get ahead in their career.
“Camden, do you take Ellie to be your wife? To have and to hold from this day on, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish, as long as you live?”
I look at Ellie, slide the ring on her finger, and smile. “I do.”
“Ellie, do you take Camden to be your husband? To have and to hold from this day on, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish, as long as you live?”
Her smile is shy as she looks at me. “I do.”
Around us, people stop and look. I can hear a few whispers. Someone behind us says, “Is that Camden Connors? Never thought that guy would ever get married.”
I take another breath. It’s a good thing people are seeing our wedding. It means word will spread about us, and that will give legitimacy to this whole thing, which we need if we want people to believe that we’re a real married couple.
The officiant wraps up and looks between us. “Camden, you may now kiss your bride.”
Ellie’s chest heaves as she takes a quiet, shaky breath. She’s nervous. To be honest, so am I.
I’m about to kiss my best friend.
My skin is hot under my suit. My heart pounds. A dozen people are standing around us now.
This kiss can’t be hesitant or awkward, not when this many people are watching. I need to kiss Ellie like she’s my wife and I’m madly in love with her.
I lift my hand to her cheek, closing the space between us.
Damn. Her skin is so fucking soft. And warm. She feels like silk and velvet.
My gaze focus on her lips. So lush and pink.
My heartbeat kicks up and my breath gets stuck in my throat. I swallow hard.
The air between us sparks. It’s thick and heavy and loaded with anticipation. My entire body buzzes.
A second later, I kiss my wife for the first time.
My brain short-circuits as I breathe in her scent. She smells like sugar and flowers and her lips are so damn soft.
She lets out a soft moan, and my head spins.
Well, shit. Kissing my wife is hot as fuck.
Chapter 12
