“I didn’t know I was supposed to.”
Carolina squints then nods. “Right. Okay. It’s fine. I didn’t have any written either, but my wedding was a bit rushed.”
“Same,” Jessica responds. “It was a whirlwind.”
Issa laughs lightly. “I didn’t even know I was getting married, so don’t look at me.”
“Do we know for sure Ren is writing something?”
Issa retrieves her phone, tapping out a message and then waiting for a few moments before lowering her phone and answering. “Declan says there’s nothing in writing.”
“That doesn’t mean anything when it comes to Ren,” I respond with a snort. “He sure loves to throw me off.”
Issa looks at her watch. “We’re out of time anyway. You’ll just have to wing it.”
Grimacing, I rub my now sweaty palms down the front of my blush pink skirt. It’s smooth against my fingertips, and as I brush at it gingerly, not wanting to show up to the ceremony with fingerprints across my front.
The car slows, then stops. Frowning, I glance around, not seeing anyone nearby. “Where are we?”
“Valley of Fire,” Jessica responds.
“But why?”
“Why not?” Carolina asks.
I shrug as I say, “It’s just entirely unnecessary.”
“I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, Cass,” Issa says, her hand moving to my arm. “When it comes to any type of romantic relationship. It is always necessary.”
I go to respond, a knock on the window stops me. Issa opens the door, revealing Declan, looking as dapper as ever in a dark suit. He greets Issa with the kind of lascivious adoration that should only be possible in fairytales.
The ladies exit the limo then Declan is there, hand outstretched, waiting for me. I give my head a shake, straightening my spine as I school myself on the fine art of faking it until I make it.
This is fine. Everything is fine.
The contract is signed. I had Penny triple check that there wasn’t any type of loophole or sneaky way for him to be able to get out of it or screw me over in some way.
Declan stoops over, watching me, so I plaster my most megawatt smile on my face as I slide toward him, place my hand in his and allow him to assist me from the limo. He looks as if he wants to say something, but after a brief moment of hesitation he leads the way down a worn path.
Declan stops, turns back to us. “Give me a minute to make sure we’re set.”
Issa turns to me as he walks away. “Would you like one of us to walk you down?”
“Walk me down where?”
Issa smiles. “The aisle, silly. Or in this case, the path.”
“That is not necessary,” I balk, entirely confused on how my quickie Vegas wedding has turned into a mini fiasco. She gives me a patient look that indicates arguing is pointless, so I add, “Do I have to?”
Carolina rests her arm over my shoulders as she replies, “Sometimes it’s best to just go with the flow.”
I roll my eyes, wanting to tell all of them to fuck off, while also acknowledging that my reaction is ridiculous. I told Issa to do whatever she wanted, so I can’t really be mad when she went well above and beyond what was expected. “I can’t believe you did all this.”
Issa laughs, taking my hand as she motions for Jessica and Carolina to go on ahead of us. “I didn’t do anything.”
My jaw drops open in shock. “But. Who?”
She inclines her head toward where Ren is waiting for us. “Never can tell about people. Sometimes they surprise you.”
