Page 19 of The Hockey Contract

Inside the courthouse, we were directed to a waiting area outside the county clerk's office. The space was buzzing with other couples—some in elaborate wedding attire, others in casual clothes like us. The difference was that they were all genuinely in love, starting their lives together with authentic hope and devotion.

I felt a twinge of something like guilt, quickly suppressed. This was necessary. A means to an end.

"Sienna!" Chloe's voice called from the entrance. She hurried toward us, slightly out of breath. "Sorry I'm late. The morning rush hit right after you left."

"What are you doing here? What about the bakery?" I asked, surprised.

"You didn't think I'd let you get a marriage license without me, did you? Even a fake one." She lowered her voice on the last part. "I'm your witness, dummy. I had a friend look after your bakery."

I hugged her tightly, suddenly grateful for her presence. "Thank you," I whispered.

"Besides," she added with a meaningful look toward Leo, who was checking his phone, "someone needs to make sure ‘Sly Leo’ over there doesn't pull any fast ones in the paperwork."

"I can hear you," Leo said without looking up. "And for the record, the nickname was 'Smooth Leo,' not 'Sly Leo.' Get your insults right, Chloe."

"Harrison and Williams?" a clerk called before Chloe could retort.

We approached the counter, where a middle-aged woman with kind eyes smiled at us. "Marriage license application?"

"Yes," Jax confirmed, handing over our completed forms and identification.

The clerk reviewed our paperwork, occasionally glancing up with a warm smile. "Known each other long?" she asked conversationally.

"Not really," I admitted before I could stop myself.

The clerk's eyebrows rose slightly.

"But when it's right, you just know," Jax added smoothly, slipping his arm around my waist in a gesture that felt surprisingly natural. "Why wait when you've found your perfect match?"

"That's so romantic," the clerk sighed. "It's refreshing to see young people who aren't afraid to commit when they find true love."

I felt a stab of guilt at her words but forced a smile. "Yes, we're... very blessed to have found each other."

"Absolutely besotted," Leo added helpfully. "You should see them together. Sickeningly sweet."

The clerk continued processing our application, asking routine questions that Jax answered with practiced ease. When she asked about the ceremony, his hand tightened slightly on my waist.

"Small, private ceremony," he explained. "Just close friends for now. Sienna's bakery is very busy this season, and with my playoff schedule, we don't have time for anything elaborate."

"A bakery? How lovely!" the clerk exclaimed. "And you're a hockey player, is that right? I thought you looked familiar."

Jax nodded, looking uncomfortable with the recognition. I found myself jumping in to rescue him.

"He's very modest about it," I said, leaning into him slightly. "But I'm incredibly proud of him. Not just for his career, but for who he is off the ice. The man the public doesn't get to see."

Jax looked down at me with genuine surprise, our eyes meeting for a moment. Something passed between us—a silent gratitude for the unexpected support.

"Well, everything seems in order," the clerk announced, stamping our application. "Congratulations, you two. Your marriage license will be valid as soon as you sign here, remaining effective for the next sixty days. After your ceremony, your officiant will submit the certificate, and you'll be officially married."

We signed where indicated, and just like that, we were one step closer to our fake marriage.

Outside the courthouse, Leo checked his watch. "I need to make some calls about the ceremony arrangements. Chloe, want to grab a coffee while these two lovebirds discuss their living arrangements?" His tone made it clear it wasn't really a question.

"I'd rather gargle glass," Chloe replied sweetly. "But I suppose I can tolerate your presence for ten minutes if you're paying."

They walked off, bickering, leaving Jax and me alone on the courthouse steps.

"Well, that was... something," I said, unsure what else to say.

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