Page 36 of Tell Me All Your Lies

He grins back.

“After you, Ms. Collins.”

I pull open the door but turn back slightly before going into the room.

“Not for much longer.”

Grant makes a slight groan that I must be imagining in this moment. I focus back on the people waiting and mentally prepare to say I do.

“You’re so pretty!” Ruby squeals.

Although she knows what this situation really is, Ruby is a sucker for love. Of course she’s excited to be here as my witness.

“Thank you,” I answer.

“Ms. Collins, I’m Rob, Mr. Sinclair’s assistant. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says as we shake hands.

“You as well.”

I focus on the judge behind his desk.

“Ms. Collins, Mr. Sinclair. Let’s get you two married.”

He steps out in front of his desk. Grant and I position ourselves in front of him as Ruby and Rob take seats in nearby office chairs.

“Thank you for doing this for us, Sam,” Grant says.

“A favor paid back,” Sam replies.

Grant focuses his attention on me.

Sam starts to run through the motions of the wedding. Grant and I repeat our lines to one another. It’s all very impersonal.

I think I’ll take the impromptu vows we made to one another outside of this room as our real vows instead.

As I stare at my soon-to-be husband, I realize that this could be a good situation for the two of us. Despite my concerns with some of the ways he’s let me down in the field, I don’t think Grant will let me down as a husband.

Maybe Grant doesn’t have to be my rival; maybe he can become a friend when this whole scenario is over with.

It's time for us to exchange rings.

Ruby gets up and hands me Grant’s first. Holding the platinum band in my hand, I play with it slightly for a moment. As I hold his hand in mine and slip the ring on his finger, suddenly, this impersonal situation feels like the most personal thing I've ever experienced.

Grant's hand flexes as he takes it back. Rob stands and hands Grant my ring. I notice that he also purchased a new ring instead of using the one that the agency had given us.

It feels as though Grant and I have been on the same page about everything since we found out about this mission and the need to work together. Almost as if we’ve been having the same line of thought on how to move forward, just like partners would.

This may all be pretend, but there's something more happening between us as we exchange rings. It's not love or lust but rather an understanding and appreciation of the situation we’re in.

It feels as though Grant and I both have mutual respect for one another.

This shouldn't have been this unexpected, but given how much turmoil and animosity we face in the field, I just didn't see it coming. I had been so busy worrying about the façade that I didn’t consider the truth that could be between us.

It's all a promising sign that perhaps over the next few months, we'll be able to make it out alive, or at least not kill each other.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride,” Sam says and takes a large step back.

Grant takes my hands in his and gently plays with my new piece of jewelry. He focuses on our connection just for a moment before gazing into my eyes.

---