Page 18 of Her Inconvenient Wedding Date

“Are you sure about this, cuz?” My cousin, Ryder, tugs at his shirt collar and asks me this same question for the hundredth time on this Thursday morning. “If you want to back out, there’s plenty of time to do so. I’ll pull the car around and we can get out of this joint A-sap, no questions asked. How about it?”

I sigh and motion for him to follow me through City Hall. Our dress shoes make a clicking sound on the tiles as we head to the rotunda. Mine sounds like the rhythmic beat of a drum, while his is a tired shuffle. If he hadn’t insisted on coming, I would’ve found someone else to be our witness. I throw him a concerned look. “For the last time, Ry, I’m sure. I’m ready to get hitched. You, on the other hand, are so nervous, you’d think you’re the one getting married today.”

“You do realize this is for life?”

I take a deep breath and nod. “Of course. I sure hope it is.”

He runs a hand through his dark, wavy hair, leaving the ends of it sticking up. His expression changes from concerned to one of admiration. “You’re a bigger man than I ever was. I hope things work out for you and Lily. If not, I’m going to get an earful from Amelia, so please don’t screw this up.”

My brow quirks at the mention of his ex-fiancée. “Since when did you start talking to Amelia again?”

“It’s a long story. We’re not back together, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“I wasn’t, but okay. You’ll have to catch me up sometime. Or we could do a double date; I bet Lily would like that.”

“We’ll see.”

There’s more I want to ask Ryder, but the moment we step into the rotunda, my heart starts to pound. The space is impressive, with pink marble and columns that look like they belong in Rome rather than San Francisco. The sunshine coming in through the windows on the second and third floors cast a pink glow onto the floor, highlighting the designs carved into them that match the ones in the dome above us. But what fully captures my attention is the gorgeous figure at the top of the staircase. My steps slow down as my gaze locks onto her.

It’s Lily. My colleague turned fake fiancée turned wife.

“Whoa,” Ryder murmurs at my side, expressing my thoughts out loud. “Oh, wow.”

I swallow hard, feeling the same awe and wonder to be in her presence. “I know, right? I can’t get over it either.”

“It looks daunting, but you’ll be okay. It’s not the first time you’ve faced something like that.”

I turn to him, confused. “Huh?”

“There’s only about 40 or 45. You can make it. You’re in better shape than I am.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The stairs, of course. Come on, I’ll race you to the top!”

Before I can blink, Ryder takes off. I run after him, shaking my head, as a couple of middle-aged tourists take photos of us. We must be a sight to see, but we, along with everything around us, pale in comparison to the woman waiting for me on the second level.

I wince, however, when our eyes meet. Lily’s complexion is almost as white as her dress. She couldn’t be more beautiful in her long gown with its lacy sleeves and a low neckline that is modest yet intriguing, but her expression mirrors what Ryder’s was a few minutes ago. “Hey, Lil, are you okay?”

“Hi! Yeah, I’m fine!” Her words come out in breathy spurts. A tense smile curves her lips, which are a bright shade of red and the only color in her face. “Thanks for coming. I wasn’t sure if you’d show up or not. Well, the truth isIwasn’t sure ifI’dshow up or not.”

“Oh?”

“It’s silly, but I couldn’t find the right pair of shoes to match my dress. I thought it might rain, so I didn’t know if I should wear strappy sandals or pumps. Anyways, I ended up going with the pumps.”

I glance down at her high heels. “At least it wasn’t a case of cold feet.”

She bursts out laughing and her entire body relaxes. “Nowyou’rethe one breaking out with the puns? I hope that doesn’t mean you’re stressed.”

“Not at all. Ryder, on the other hand—where’d he go?” I look around for my cousin and spot him talking to an older man whom I guess is the officiant. “He’s acting like this is my last day of freedom on earth.”

“It totally isn’t! Like I said before, you have no obligations to stick around after my sister and Bruce get married. None at all. This marriage of convenience is only untilJanuary. And before then, you and I will continue to be colleagues and friends.”

“And roommates, right?” Lily and I had gone over the details of this plan a few days ago when we came to get our marriage license, but I want to be sure nothing’s changed. “My guest room is all ready for you to stay in.”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” she says, wrinkling her nose. “I feel bad for cramping your style. You have your bachelor pad set up the way you want it. You don’t need me bringing over my makeup and clothes and jewelry, not to mention my shoes, and invading your space with all my girly stuff. It’s probably better if we stay at our own places.”

I feign a pout. “I’m offended that you think I can’t handle girly stuff. I have two older sisters, remember? I grew up surrounded by every pink thing imaginable. Care Bears, My Little Pony, Polly Pocket—I was exposed to it all.”

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