I don’t wait to be told I can kiss my bride. I’m yanking her against me and smashing my mouth to hers. She tastes like strawberries, and I know it’s the lip balm she slicked on moments ago. I make it my mission to kiss off any trace of it.
“Ahem.”
Jerking apart, our heads whip in the direction of the celebrant and the two strangers who were out walking their dogs we talked into being our witnesses we seem to have forgotten about.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Tessa’s smile is knowing. “But everyone needs to sign the marriage certificate and other paperwork before I leave.”
Gripping Lizzi’s hand in mine, we follow the woman who just changed our lives across the small section of sand and head toward the carpark.
When searching for a place to get married, we picked a public park bordering the shores of a lake south of Sydney because we knew it would be less likely to draw attention. And after yesterday’s phone call with Lizzi’s brother, attention is the last thing we need right now.
According to Edward, their grandfather is on the warpath and threatening to fire Lizzi for not being at work even though she’s on leave. I mentally scrub a hand through my mind. I don’t want negative thoughts intruding on our day.
I squeeze Lizzi’s hand and murmur, “I had no idea your middle name was Louise.”
“It’s my mother’s name.” Her voice is soft, full of love and sadness, and I hate that I made her feel that way today.
“You have her with you every day.”
My words make her stumble and I wrap my free arm around her middle to keep her from falling, which brings us face to face.
Her eyes are wide with surprise. “I never thought of it that way.”
I smile at my wife, the woman I plan to spend my life with even if she thinks we’ll divorce once she secures her family’s company. “Well, to remind you of her I think I’ll call you Lizzi Lu from now on.”
A smile so big I understand the saying from ear-to-ear flashes across her face, and suddenly I’ve got an armful of my wife.
“Thank you!” She peppers my face with kisses. “I’ve never had a nickname, not even before…”
“You’re not Elizabeth to me. Not anymore.”
Her expression dims, takes on a more serious look. “I don’t feel like Elizabeth with you.”
It’s the highest compliment she could give me. Four days ago she walked out on a life that had been all but mapped out for her. Fuck, it was planned for her. But she’s smiled more in the last few days than I’ve ever seen and admittedly I haven’t known her long or been in her company that much, but I know her friends have talked about how sad she’s been in recent months.
“I always want you to be comfortable with me. I want you to feel however you feel. Be honest with me, and yourself,” I say.
“I’ve been more honest around you than anyone. Including myself.”
“Good.” Over Lizzi’s shoulder, I see Tessa has paperwork spread out on the hood of her car, our last-minute witnesses signing where she points. “Let’s go make you legally Lizzi Lu Boyd.”
Her grin is contagious but mine doesn’t get to fully form because she’s kissing me again. It’s quick. All too quick. And while I want to protest, pull her back into me and take her mouth again, I don’t.
We’ve got papers to sign.
And plans to put into action.
“Are we going to head back to your place from here?” Lizzi asks.
I haven’t told her what we’re doing after this. I wanted it to be a surprise. We agreed to keep this marriage a secret for a little while longer. She’s on leave from her job for the rest of this week and next, although Edward’s call yesterday may change that. We still have to meet with Lizzi’s lawyer, get other paperwork signed.
Tonight though, she’s mine, and I’m not letting anyone ruin this day for her.
“No. We’ve got somewhere to be first.”
“Oh?”
“It’s a surprise.”
