Page 23 of Paper Roses

Ingrid clasps her hands. “It’s going to be so funny at the office now you’re married.”

I turn a panicked gaze to Jed. His eyes are wide. This marriage was supposed to be just between us and last only for a couple of weeks. Now all our coworkers know. What should we do?

I startle as Jed pulls me into a hug. “We’ll worry about it later,” he whispers into my ear. “Just play along and act madly in love.”

I shiver at the feel of his warm breath on my neck and nod. “Absolutely.”No playactingneeded.

He steps back. “Okay?” he asks, his eyes lingering on my face. I think about what Ingrid had said about secret glances and protective looks, and then quickly dismiss those thoughts as wishful thinking I do not need right now.

“I am ready,” I say firmly.

Jed reaches for a box by his feet. “There’s one for everyone,” he says.

“How did you know we were coming?” Raff asks, retrieving a paper boutonnière from the bag.

“Rafferty, you and Joe have a knack of turning up uninvited more times than syphilis. You are both incurably nosy, and Ingrid enables you. Of course, you’d be here.”

Raff shrugs. “Fair point.”

“Where did you get these?” Daisy asks as she fastens the flower to her dress. Her face is soft and her eyes shining as she looks at Jed.

He coughs, suddenly awkward. “I made them,” he says gruffly as everyone stares at him. “Stop looking at me like that,” he grumbles.

“Youmadethem?” Ingrid echoes.

“Yes, of course. Artie’s allergic to real flowers.” He shrugs. “It wasn’t difficult once you got the hang of it. Gave me something to do with my hands in the evening.”

“Have you tried masturbation?” Rafferty enquires in a serious voice. He squarks as Ingrid shoves him.

I ignore them with the ease of long practice. I’m almost unbearably touched that this gruff man has spent time painstakingly making these flowers, and I know it took him a while, as his perfectionist nature would demand they be absolutely right.

“They’re perfect,” I say softly, reaching out for his flower and beckoning him closer. I fasten it quickly to his lapel, very aware of the power of his big body under my hands.

“Alright?” he says softly. “You sure?”

“Of course.” I smile at him. “Thank you,” I say and step back.

“Let’s get these crazy kids married,” Raff exclaims.

Jed grimaces. “Please, just no.”

Ingrid fiddles with her dress. “What do you think of my tan?” she asks me.

Joe snorts, and I’m able to look at Ingrid closely now my panic is over. My eyes widen. She’s very orange. Almost the colour of a satsuma. Even her eyebrows are a strange browny-orange that makes her look like she’s been embalmed.

“Tell me the truth. Does this spray tan make me looktooorange?” she says to Raff.

Raff tilts his head. “Put it this way. If Tim Burton asks you to put on a pair of little white overalls and a green wig, it’s your destiny calling.”

“Fucker,” she says morosely. “Erin was supposed to put East End Brick on me, but she used the wrong shade.”

“It looks more like Camden Creosote to me,” Raff says thoughtfully.

Ingrid sighs. “Oh well. She says she’ll give me a spa voucher to say sorry.”

Joe shakes his head. “What will she do for that? Break your back instead of giving you a spine massage?”

Raff laughs and we make our way up the steps and into the registry office.

---