“You got married yesterday?” asked the officer.
“Yes,” said Brayden and Scarlett together.
The officer cocked his head to the side. “How did you meet?”
“We met when we were children and have been in touch for years,” said Scarlett, speaking too fast. Black and gold smoke appeared above the man’s head.Shit.
“She broke up with her ex a couple of months ago, and I asked her to come visit right away, before she could change her mind and go back to the other guy,” said Brayden in a much calmer voice. “She’s the love of my life, and when you know, you know. So we got hitched.” He leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek, causing her face to heat.
Why is he saying all this?Bringing up Alastair was weird, wasn’t it? Scarlett looked at Brayden, but he just smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. The realization hit her that maybe he was right to reference Alastair. Their relationshiphadbeen common knowledge in Soleil. Her tension eased slightly.
The officer’s eyes slid to her. “Fast work. Smart man, knowing when you’re punching. I was the same way with my wife, actually. Married her before she figured out she could do better.” He winked at Scarlett. “How’d you two meet as kids, though, being from different countries and all?”
Scarlett took a deep breath. “Oh, I’m a dual citizen. Our families are friends, and I have a Clair de Lune passport as well.” Scarlett handed him her second passport, which was Clair de Lune green like Brayden’s. “Also, I’ve got a picture of us at the wedding, if you’d like to see?”
Gold smoke. He believed them, thank the Goddess.
“That’s right. I forgot your mother was a foreigner,” said theofficer, flicking through her passport. He waved Scarlett’s phone away. “No need for photos. Head through that door. They’ll issue a spouse visa in that office. Congratulations on your nuptials.” He waved the next passenger forward for visa inspection as Beni, Scarlett, and Brayden moved on.
Scarlett let out a huge breath and took Brayden’s hand.
“I knew you were well-known, but getting recognized by border control—that’s the first time I’ve seen how famous you are for myself,” he said. “That officer liked you.”
“Yes. Fame is a double-edged sword.”
After half an hour’s wait, Brayden’s spouse visa was in hand, and the three of them went to look for Charlie.
“There he is!” Beni hurried over to the bench where Charlie was waiting. Scarlett halted for a split second as she took in the cast and sling on his left arm. As she and Brayden approached, their aging boat driver wrapped Beni in a one-armed hug.
“You’re all a sight for sore eyes.”
“Charlie, it’s good to see you!” said Scarlett. “What happened to your arm?”
Charlie hugged Scarlett and looked her up and down. “Arm’s fine. Just a clumsy accident.” He glanced away and then back at her, his eyes gleaming. “I’m more concerned with you. Glad to see you’re getting around fine. Are you all right?”
She frowned at the brush-off, sensing there was more to his story. “I’m much better, thank you. They have excellent doctors in Clair de Lune.” She wished Dr. Bowen could help with Charlie’s arm. Maybe someday that would be possible in Soleil.
Charlie turned to Brayden, a welcoming smile spreading across his face. “Who’s this?”
Scarlett waved Brayden forward. “This is Brayden Maddox. Brayden, this is Charlie. He’s known me since I was born and islike family.” She beamed at Charlie, letting her love for Brayden show. “Brayden and I got married yesterday.”
Brayden extended his hand. “Good to meet you.” His smile was bright and warm, the carefree smile she’d missed seeing through the past couple of days.Shewanted to make him smile like that again.
Charlie’s eyes were wide as he whistled and clasped Brayden’s hand. “Married? Wow, congratulations. I look forward to getting to know you, Brayden. I’m sure you know you’ve got a good one in Scarlett.”
“I certainly do,” agreed Brayden, pulling her tight against his side. Between this and that interaction with the customs officer, Brayden was doing a good job of looking like a guy who was happy to be married. He was obviously going to have no problem presenting a united front.
“Now, can you please tell me what really happened to your arm? And how have things been since we left?” asked Scarlett.
Charlie glanced uncertainly at Brayden.
“You can say anything in front of him,” said Scarlett, understanding his concerns. “He knows everything.”
Charlie nodded quickly. “Understood. Laylani was livid when she figured out you’d gone, but when she asked me about it, I said I wasn’t in the business of keeping people in the house who didn’t want to be there. That shut her up, but then, the next day, I was on my way to the store for Martin when some thugs jumped me. This was the result.” He gestured to his arm.
“And I’m sure that had nothing to do with Laylani,” said Scarlett.
Charlie lifted the shoulder that wasn’t in the sling in a one-armed shrug. “The cast will be off in a few weeks. Thankfully, it was a clean break. It’s all good, Scarlett.”
