Page 8 of May's Bad Boy: Kody

"I thought you'd never ask."

I watch them, stunned. In two minutes flat, Sadie hands over her most sacred possession of the day and starts explaining how to defeat fire-breathing monsters. Caitlin winks at me from her spot, leaning against the side of the truck like she knew all along this would happen. Walking over slowly, I wipe my palms one more time before offering Paige a nod. "Kody."

She stands. "Paige."

Her voice is calm. Not chipper. Not shy. Just real.

Caitlin walks over and takes Sadie's hand. "Come on, sweet pea. Let's go check on the barn cats."

Sadie looks at me and I nod. She skips off, Paige's wand still clutched in her hand.

I jerk my chin toward the tailgate of my truck, and Paige follows. We sit side by side as the silence stretches out. But it’s not feeling quite as heavy as I expected.

"Did she tell you what this is?" I ask.

Paige nods. "Marriage. Temporary. Paperwork only. No expectations."

"Right."

She pulls in a breath. "I used to run the front desk at a wellness center. I knew every client by name and remembered how they liked their towels folded. When they sold to a resort chain, I still got laid off."

I study her. "Is that why you left the city?"

"Part of it. Also, the guy I was with turned out to be more interested in his coworker than in honesty. He took my savings, left me nothing. Then losing my job left me without insurance. I've been... scraping by."

I nod. Not because I understand her life, but because scraping by is something I know all too well.

"You okay with this?" I ask finally. "It's not exactly a fairytale."

She gives me a tired smile. "I'm not looking for a fairytale. Just a chance."

And I get that.

"It looks like we're doing this, then," I nod, and she gives me her first genuine smile, which reaches her eyes.

The courthouse smells like wood polish and old paper. Caitlin and Shane hover near the window like they're trying not to eavesdrop. Paige stands beside me at the judge's desk, her hair braided over one shoulder, wearing a soft sweater that makes her look even smaller than she already is.

The judge flips through the paperwork, glasses perched on the end of his nose. It's quiet, except for the scratching of his pen and the soft hum of the ceiling fan. I catch Paige stealing a breath, like she's bracing for something, and I wonder how the hell this became our life.

We sign one after the other. Her fingers brush mine as I pass her the pen. She glances up.

"You okay?" I murmur.

"As okay as I can be," she says, and gives me a quick smile. I can fill in the words she didn't say. She means as okay as someone can be who is marrying a stranger, but she can't say that in front of the man who is about to marry us.

But that smile she gives me? That smile hits like a sucker punch.

The judge clears his throat, and we get started. "Do you, Kody Reed, take this woman...?”

We say the words. It's not dramatic or life-changing, like I expected on my wedding day. It's very intentional, and before I know it, the judge says the one thing we didn't plan on.

"You may kiss the bride."

We both freeze.

"We don't have to—" Paige starts and whispers for only me to hear.

"We probably should," I cut in, stepping closer to her.

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