“Sure,” Tori said.
The big grins on their faces indicated that they didn’t think my situation was different at all. In fact, I was pretty sure they were more convinced than ever that my fake marriage would end up exactly the same way theirs had.
As real.
And truthfully, I didn’t want to argue with them, especially because a part of my own heart was wishing for the same thing. As dumb as that was. And as dangerous.
“Now we have to discuss the most important thing,” Tori said.
I frowned. “A prenup?” I asked tentatively.
“No!” Tori looked at Brooklyn. “The wedding!”
“Thank God,” I said, letting out a sigh of relief. “That would actually be super helpful.”
I was having a hard time getting anything figured out, beyond choosing a day to get the marriage license. Since the whole thing was a sham, there was no point in planning a big wedding, but I still felt overwhelmed by all the decisions I was supposed to make. Having my sisters-in-law volunteer for this was taking a huge weight off my shoulders.
“So where are you in the planning process?” Tori asked.
I told them that we’d set a date, two and half months away.
“Great, and what else?” Brooklyn prodded.
“That’s it, really,” I said. “I thought we’d have the ceremony outdoors, maybe the Morton Arboretum? Something simple. I’m not too worried about the details.”
The Wives looked stricken.
“It’s not real, remember?” I told them. “I don’t want to make a big deal about this.”
It turned out The Wives did not share my vision.
“Oh hell no,” Brooklyn said, grabbing me by the shoulders and giving me a little shake. “Something simple? Not gonna work.”
“You can’t do simple,” Tori said. “This is a huge deal! A marriage between two of the highest-powered families in Chicago? We have to go all out.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. “I just think that it’d be best if—”
“Besides, Em,” Brooklyn said. “We never got to do this for ourselves, so this is our chance to make up for it.We are planning our dream wedding for you. No ifs, ands, or buts.”
Tori nodded.
Well, wasn’t this a big mess.
They both looked so happy with the prospect of planning the wedding that I didn’t have the heart to tell them no. After all, they were right. A big wedding would help show all of Chicago that we were committed to each other and in love. It would legitimize the marriage and help repair my family’s reputation, which was the real reason I was doing this.
Wasn’t it?
“It’s going to be a massive party, of course,” Tori was saying.
“Anyone who’s anyone will be invited,” Brooklyn confirmed. “But the guest list will have to feel exclusive.”
“The most anticipated event of the year,” Tori agreed.
“It’s in two and half months,” I reminded them, but Tori waved me off.
“We have the money and the resources,” she said. “We’ll make it happen.”
“Besides,” Brooklyn added, “everyone will want to be involved in the wedding. It’s great publicity.”
