Page 21 of Paper Roses

“Why?”

“Foreverything. My life would have been so dull without you.”

Her eyes shine wetly, and she kisses my cheek. “I love you so much. You’ll always be my brother.” Then she winks and leans close. “And as your sister I promise to bake you a cake with a file in it when you end up in prison. You can share it with your cellmate, and when I come to visit you, he can say things like, ‘He belongs to me now.’”

“That was alarmingly detailed.”

“It’s my curse to have a vivid imagination.”

“And unfettered morals.”

I grin as she pinches me. My smile fades as I turn my gaze towards Jed again. “Let’s do this,” I say with determination.

“That’s the Great British spirit.”

We pay the driver and step out of the car and as we climb the steps, I feel like I’m standing to one side observing this scene. I’m about to marry my boss. Jed—Jed—will soon be my husband.

Jed glimpses us, and for a second, he seems to freeze, a host of expressions crossing his face. Then he smiles. It looks a little forced, but I don’t think Daisy notices.

She grins at him. “Good morning.”

He leans down to hug her. “You look absolutely stunning.”

She glows, and I shoot him a grateful look. He offers me a wry expression, letting Daisy go and stepping close to me. “And you look very nice too,” he says. His eyes are dark, and I smile nervously at him.

“Are we ready?” he asks, looking at his watch. “Our appointment is in five minutes.”

Appointment?I conceal my wince because that’s exactly what this is.

Someone calls my name. I turn and my mouth drops open in amazement. Raff, Joe, and Ingrid are climbing the steps towards us.

“Oh shit,” Jed mutters.

I look at him and then back at our friends. “Who told them?”

“Not me,” he says grimly. Then he forces a smile to his face as they come up next to us. “To what do we owe this honour?”

“You sly old dog,” Raff proclaims, clapping Jed on the shoulder.

“Why are you here?” Jed asks calmly.

Joe gestures to Ingrid. “She knows everything.”

Ingrid grins. “I saw your banns announcement.” She looks between us, her face full of excitement. “Is it true? Are youreallygetting married?”

Jed shrugs, his face enigmatic.

“Yes,” I tell Ingrid.

She squeals loud enough to deafen everyone on the steps. “Iknewit. I knew there was something going on.”

Jed and I exchange a look. “What do you mean?” Jed asks cautiously.

“Well, all those secret glances and the way you’re so protective of him.” She squeals again and claps her hands. “I knew you were desperately in love with him.”

Jed looks slightly revolted, and I have a wild impulse to laugh. Worry that it might turn into hysterics has me swallowing it down.

“Well, you kept that quiet, you old dog,” Raff says.

---