So yes, Cora Walker ruined my life.
And I’m going to let her ruin it over and over again.
Chapter five
Cora
IneverthoughtI’dfindmyself getting married on a Monday morning. Much less in a cheap, white cotton sundress, no friends in attendance, and to a man I’m not in love with.
But as I’ve come to learn over the course of my life, sometimes you gotta roll with the punches.
This just happens to be a really big punch.
Theo pulls his truck up to the county courthouse, and I hop out on shaky legs. It’s a bit cold to be wearing a sun dress, and the breeze sends goosebumps along my arms and legs. I smooth my dress, glancing down at it.
“Are you sure this is okay?” I ask Theo as he rounds the truck bed. “It’s the only white thing I own, but it’s so casual …” I don’t own heels, so I’d simply put on a pair of nude flats that … kind of go? I’m not really sure, honestly. Fashion has never been my strong suit. At least Theo’s not wearing a tux or anything. He’sgot on a white button up tucked into black jeans and a fancy belt, along with a black cowboy hat atop his head.
“You look gorgeous, Cora,” he says quietly.
Gorgeous. I snap my head up in surprise. I’d expectedfine, or evenpretty. But gorgeous? Theo stares back at me, his expression unreadable. “Thank you,” I answer finally.
He nods, smiles softly, and then holds out his hand. “Ready, darling?”
My stomach summersaults. We’re really doing this.
I smile back at him. “Ready.”
I take his hand, and up the steps and into the county courthouse we go. The woman behind the desk just inside looks up at us through narrow glasses, shooting a smile that doesn’t quite meet her eyes.
“We’re here to, uh, get married,” Theo says. “I made the appointment online.”
She grunts. “Name?”
“Theodore Strickland.”
Her gaze darts to me.
“Cora Walker.”
She types something into her computer, and after a pause, says, “The judge will be with you shortly.” She gestures to a cluster of chairs in the corner of the small waiting room.
Theo and I sit side by side, his knee brushing against mine. It’s oddly comforting, considering that I don’t normally enjoy being touched by others. And despite the fact that we aren’t getting married for the conventional reason, there’s something about this whole thing that’s still sweet. That we’re in this together. Ruse and all.
“I’m nervous,” I admit, whispering so the receptionist won’t hear.
Theo taps his knee against mine. “Don’t worry—I won’t get cold feet. Or smash cake in your face.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “We should actually go get some cake though, now that you mention it.”
“Anything for my bride.”
That statement sends a flush of heat to my cheeks, and I look away. Bride. It’s all so weird and … insane, really. What we’re doing.
Suddenly the door beside the reception desk opens, and a middle-aged man steps out. “Theodore Strickland and Cora Walker.” He glances up from his notepad to see just the two of us sitting in the small waiting area. He raises his eyebrows in question.
“Yes, that’s us,” Theo says, standing and grabbing my hand, pulling me with him.
“Alright, let’s head on in,” the man says with a smile that’s only slightly warmer than the receptionist’s. We follow the man into an office only slightly smaller than the small waiting area out front. The office walls are lined with bookshelves, and there’s a cluttered desk up against a window, warm spring light spilling into the room.
