Page 29 of Somehow You Knew

Mom beams, and then she weaves her arm through mine and leads me toward the front of the room, to the man who’s about to be my new roommate, among other things.

Oh my God. I’m about to be someone’s wife.

When we reach Gage and the judge, my mother kisses me on the cheek and whispers in my ear. “I love you, Hazel Marie Sheppard.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

She places my hand in Gage’s. “She’s your responsibility now.”

Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I look up at a wide-eyed Gage and murmur, “Last chance to back out.”

He huffs out a laugh and leans closer to me, giving me a whiff of his cologne that instantly puts me under some type of spell. “5.1 million dollars, Hazel.”

I can’t help but smile back at him. “Marrying for money, not love.”

“Let us begin,” Judge Carlson says, and he starts to go through his spiel. I try not to focus too much on the words, instead studying the man standing much taller than me.

Gage holds his gaze on our hands, stroking the top of mine with his thumb. I don’t even think he’s aware he’s doing it, but it’s oddly calming. For a second, I feel safe with him, almost grateful that he’s the man I’m going through this with.

Then I remember how much he irritates me and snap myself out of it.

“Do you take Hazel to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Judge Carlson asks Gage.

Gage clears his throat. “Yeah, I do.”

“And do you take Gage to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do,” I answer softly.

“Well then, by the power vested in me by the state of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Judge Carlson turns to Gage. “You may now kiss your bride.”

Gage locks his eyes on mine, and then he shrugs. He steps closer and leans in, his lips hovering just above mine.

My pulse stutters as I brace myself, barely breathing as he…veers at the last second, placing a kiss on my cheek.

A sharp pang of disappointment rushes through me, and I try not to think about why that is.

“Oh, come on now, Gage. That’s no way to seal a marriage!” my mother admonishes from beside us.

I glare at her over my shoulder. “Mom…”

“I have to agree with Mrs. Sheppard,” Judge Carlson adds.

I roll my eyes. “It’s fine.”

Gage clenches his jaw and releases my hands. “No, they’re right.”

Before I can process what’s happening, he leans in again and frames my face in his hands. My breath catches.

This time, his lipsdotouch mine, and the contact feels like a spark to dry kindling.

A mixture of shock and warmth courses through me, the softness of his lips moving over mine. When I feel Gage’s tongue slide against my mouth, I almost push him away. My body has other ideas, though, and my tongue darts out to meet his.

That’s when I lose all control.

Gage doesn’t rush as he deepens our kiss. No. In fact, he seems nervous to push too hard, too fast, but my body sure as hell wishes he would.

Then, a small metal ball flicks against my tongue, and I realize his tongue is pierced.

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