Page 27 of Somehow You Knew

Rolling my eyes, I stand and take my plate to the sink, knowing my confession could have gone much worse. I didn’t even get a chance to tell them about the money, but maybe that’s for the best. If I wait until it’s already a done deal, they can’t try to talk me out of it.

It’s going to be okay. Six months is nothing. Time keeps ticking no matter what, and it will be over before I know it…

So why does it feel like I’m walking into something I won’t be able to come back from?

***

“You look beautiful, Hazel,” my mother says, dabbing under her eyes with a tissue.

I smooth my hands down the front of my dress, offering her a small smile. “Thank you, Mom.”

We’re standing at the back of the courtroom, waiting for Gage. He’s not late this time—we’re just uncharacteristically early because she insisted on driving me over as soon as I finished getting ready.

Even though this wedding isn’t the extravagant affair I once imagined, Mom still tried to make it feel special. We got manis and pedis, did our hair and makeup together, and even had my assistant, Stacy, take photos of everything.

A part of me appreciates it. But the part that knows this isn’t real almost wishes she hadn’t.

Thewhite silk dress I chose is simple, a far cry from the lace-and-tulle fantasy I pictured as a kid.

But what’s the point of pretending?

This isn’t a real wedding.

Obviously, I know that the legality of it is, but if I’m wasting my one marriage on Gage and this arrangement, I didn’t want it to look anything like the wedding I once dreamed about. Especially since my father isn’t here to walk me down the aisle.

“I still can’t believe my little girl is getting married,” she says with a sniffle.

“Notreally…”

She cuts me a look. “This is real, Hazel. If you want to back out, I won’t blame you, but—”

“For the hundredth time, I’m not changing my mind.”

She arches a brow. “Then let me bask in this moment since it’s the only one I might get. You’ve made it very clear—”

A throat clears behind us, interrupting her, and honestly? I’m grateful. Her support is appreciated, but her guilt trips are not.

I turn—and forget how to breathe.

Gage stands there dressed in his signature look—all black from head to toe. But this time he’s in slacks, a crisp button-down shirt, and a silk tie. His hair is slicked back and he has a faint dusting of scruff along his jaw.

He looks…sinful.

For a brief second, I wish this marriage was real with real feelings. I can almost imagine what I’d have to look forward to tonight when he—

Nope. Don’t go there, Hazel.

We’re marrying for money, not love or lust…remember?

“You must be Gage,” my mother says, breaking the awkward silence as I stand there, gawking.

Gage blinks a few times before coming back to the present himself, turning to face my mom and reaching out to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Sheppard.”

“Oh please. Call me Catherine.” She swats his hand away and pulls him in for a hug. His eyes widen with a flash of panic. I fold in my lips to hide my smile because seeing him this uncomfortable pleases me a little too much.

When they part, my mother pats his tie and shirt, returning him to his unruffled state. “How are you feeling?”

“Uh…”

---