Anthony stepped ahead of him and pulled the door open. With a deep breath, Julian stepped into the solarium. All eyes turned toward them, and Julian gave a slight nod as he made his way to where Kiara stood.
Duncan’s gaze was on him, but his expression was unreadable. Elizabeth offered a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Julian wondered what she truly thought of this hastily arranged marriage.
His own mother knew nothing about what was going on. He didn’t need a lecture from her about what he was doing. Even without talking to her, he knew what her opinion would be, and he didn’t need to hear it.
After a few brief pleasantries, Julian and Kiara took their places in front of the officiant.
The gray-haired man with wire-rimmed glasses cleared his throat. “We're gathered here today to join Julian Burke and Kiara Reynolds in matrimony.”
Julian stood stiffly beside Kiara, acutely aware of the small distance between them. She smelled faintly of vanilla and something floral he couldn't quite identify.
He wondered what she was thinking at that moment. Was she feeling as conflicted as he was?
The officiant continued with the ceremony, his words washing over Julian in a haze.
The sunlight streaming through the glass walls felt too bright, intensifying his headache. He blinked against it, trying to focus on the words being spoken.
They had chosen to go with simple vows rather than writing anything personalized, and thankfully, they just had to repeat them after the officiant rather than try to memorize them.
“Julian, do you take Kiara to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
The question hung in the air. Julian swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. He could feel everyone's eyes on him, waiting. The silence stretched until it became uncomfortable.
"I do," he said finally, the words scraping his throat raw.
The officiant turned to Kiara. "Kiara, do you take Julian to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Julian risked a glance at her. Her face was pale, but her voice was steady when she answered. "I do."
"The rings?"
Julian's stomach dropped. In all the rushed preparations, he hadn't even thought about rings. He started to turn toward Anthony, panic rising in his chest.
But Duncan stepped forward, extending his hand. Two simple gold bands rested in his palm.
"Here," he said quietly.
Julian took the smaller ring, his fingers trembling slightly as he reached for Kiara's left hand. Her skin was soft and warm, a stark contrast to the cold metal he slipped onto her finger.
When she placed the larger band on his finger, her touch was gentle, but her hand was no steadier than his. The ring felt foreign and heavy against his skin.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Idaho, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The officiant closed his portfolio with a soft snap. "You may kiss the bride."
Julian's breath caught. He hadn't considered this part either. He turned toward Kiara, meeting her wide hazel gaze. The uncertainty he saw there mirrored his own.
He leaned down, gently cupping her shoulders as his lips brushed hers in the briefest of kisses. Her lips were soft and carried a light taste of strawberry that lingered on his lips even as he pulled back after just a second.
Julian stepped back, his hands falling to his sides as polite applause filled the solarium. The sound felt hollow in the glass-walled room, echoing off the windows and plant-filled corners.
Nodding stiffly at the small gathering, Julian accepted their congratulations with mechanical responses that felt disconnected from his body.
"Congratulations," Duncan said, stepping forward to shake his hand. His grip was firm, businesslike. "I'm proud of you for doing the right thing."
The right thing.
Julian's jaw tightened at the phrase, but he managed a nod. Elizabeth embraced both him and Kiara with genuine warmth, though Julian caught the worry in her eyes when she looked at him.
Angela hugged Kiara tightly, whispering something in her ear that Julian didn't catch. When she turned to him, her smile seemed forced, strained at the edges.
