Page 25 of Burn Bag

I took a deep breath as the wedding march began, giving my full attention to the back of the church. This was it. I was about to marry the woman of my dreams. She was everything I wanted, and soon, she would be mine. I couldn’t imagine ever being happier than I was right now. And in a few years, I’d look back on this day as the start of my new life.

She stepped out of the hall and through the double doors at the end of the church. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes roamed over the dress she was wearing. The dress was stunning, but only because she was in it. I had no fucking clue about the style or any of that other shit. All I knew was that it molded to her like a second skin, and I couldn’t wait to peel it off her body.

The veil covered her face, but I knew what waited underneath would be absolutely breathtaking. She had been gorgeous in that coffee house, so I knew today would be even more amazing. Women always did themselves up for their weddings.

“I can’t believe this is really happening,” I choked out. “I’m finally getting married.”

“Congratulations,” Red muttered, though he didn’t sound too thrilled.

Everyone in the church was in awe of the woman walking toward me. She was absolutely beautiful. God, my heart was clenching at what was about to happen.

Finally, after what felt like five minutes, she stood beside me. Grinning like a fool, I took the veil and lifted it, brushing it back over her head.

And paused in confusion.

Blond hair. Check.

Blue eyes. Nope.

Long, slender nose. Nope.

Short? Not really.

“Um…” I stared at the woman who was not the woman I chose to marry, and failed to say anything else.

“Emily decided she couldn’t make it,” the woman smiled. “I’m Daphne. I’m filling in for her.”

Filling in. As if she was taking her place in a race instead of a marriage. My heart thundered in my chest as I heard Red chuckling behind me. What the hell was I supposed to do now? All these people were here, waiting for me to get married. I’d told everyone she was the woman of my dreams, and then she failed to show.

And she even got a stand-in.

“I’m sorry, what?”

The woman looked a tad nervous as she leaned in closer. “Daphne Gray. It’s nice to meet you.”

I had two choices. I could go walk out and lick my wounds—admit that this whole thing had been a stupid decision—or I could go through with this insanity and save face. At least for the next day.

“Bradford Kavanaugh,” I said after just a moment of hesitation. “Let’s get married.”

8

DAPHNE

24 hours earlier…

I burstfree from the clinic as sirens wailed around me. My heart hammered in my chest and tingles shot through my hands. I couldn’t believe I was doing this.

Again.

This was not my first rodeo, but that didn’t mean it was any less frightening to do it. I spun and got down low, spreading a few treats on the ground as I puckered my lips and called my little escapees.

“Come on, babies! Let’s go!”

A kitten climbed out of my hoodie, desperately seeking food, but if I allowed him out, I’d have one more cat to wrangle. I tossed a few treats in my hood and turned my attention back to the six kittens fleeing the clinic.

“Come on! Momma’s gotta move!”

I glanced over my shoulder. Only one hundred feet separated me from my vehicle. I could do this. The kittens were running toward me, each of them crying loudly for more food. Poor things were probably starving.

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