Page 13 of Curious
“Whoa,” he says, holding up his hand. “Don’t you want to, I don’t know, put on a suit or something? I think we should observesomeof the traditions, don’t you?” Then he mutters something I don’t catch.
The specifics of a ceremony aren’t something I’ve ever really considered, mostly because it seemed premature until I was with someone I wanted to marry. “You tell me,” I say. “If you want to have the full ceremony, let’s do it.” Then I grin. “Camden Cooper, will you marry me?”
He laughs. “Um, I think yes. Just let me make sure we have everything we need for the paperwork at the clerk’s office. Or wherever it is we’re going to say our vows.”
“So romantic.” I giggle. “I’ll reserve us a spot.”
He gives me a sweet smile, and something inside me shifts, a warmth infusing my body. Yeah, okay. I don’t know him that well, but he’s … husband material. Protective, communicative, caring. I know his brother and sister, and I’m pretty sure he’s good people, like them.
I pull out my phone and make an appointment for tomorrow at the nearest clerk’s office. Then I look up at him. “So the deal is, we get married, and I’ll put you on my insurance plan until you heal. I’ll stay here until I find another place, and I’ll help you find your own insurance, too. When we’re all set, we’ll get divorced.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Cam says.
While I’m happy to be helping him, I can’t help feeling a heavy weight in my stomach as we sketch out the demise of our union. But we’re not in a relationship. Like, at all. We aren’t even more than acquaintances. I’m not sure what my heart is reacting to—maybe some combination of my unrequited crush on Cam and the disappointment of learning what a jerkwad Evan was. Still, I have to remember that this marriage is to get Cam health insurance, nothing more. I smile. “Cool. As soon as we’re legal, I’ll ask Demi in the office to add you to my insurance, and then you can get that ankle taken care of.”
“So should we get dressed up and go over to the clerk’s office tomorrow?” Cam asks. “What’s your ring size? Do you know what kind of ring you want?”
All of a sudden, this blurt of mine is becoming real. And while I know I could stop this train, I don’t really want to. Most importantly, because I want to help Cam. But also… I’m letting myself get caught up in this fantasy. That I can have a wedding day with a gorgeous guy.
I need to keep things in perspective. We’ll just sign some papers and exchange I-dos. No romance involved.
“We don’t need rings,” I say.
He clucks his tongue. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right. I don’t want your insurance company coming after you because we weren’t really married, and rings are a symbol of marriage. Besides, we should let everyone know you’re off the market.” He falters. “So to speak. If you’re good with that.”
“Yes,” I croak. “I’m good with that.”
I may need therapy afterward, but for now I’m good with being legally married to a hot, straight guy so he can have health insurance to fix his ankle—which he hurt while saving me from my evil ex.
Sounds totally normal.
Part of me wonders, though, if I’ll ever be able to touch my future husband. I’m talking even hold his hand, let alone kiss him. Odds are that’s a fantasy that’s never going to come true.
Still, if this is the worst thing that I get myself involved in, I can’t complain. It’s not every day you get engaged.
He smiles at me, and wow, his smile is nice: straight teeth and an unreserved expression. “This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done, but I’m really grateful to you.” He shifts, and then he looks at his foot and sucks in his lip, wincing in pain.
Enough is enough. “Then we’re getting married. Tomorrow.”
* * *
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Alden asks me the next morning at work, after I explain the plan for the third time.
“No, I’m not sure of anything. But I’m rolling with it.” I’m hit with inspiration. “Want to come? We’re going at one. You can take a long lunch and be my best man.”
Alden’s eyes light up. “Really?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“I’d love to.”
I bite my lip. “I need to go buy something better to wear—when I dashed out of Evan’s place, I didn’t think about dressing for a wedding. I’m going to see if Noah will let me have more time. Want to go shopping with me?”
“Sure. Do you think I should wear my suit jacket to the ceremony?” Alden asks. “I’ll need to get it from my office.” He’s so cute, always wondering what he should wear. Danny got him to buy clothes that fit him better and to be brave enough to wear the things that he likes. Now Alden’s a bit of a clotheshorse. As am I.
“If you want to,” I say. My knee-jerk reaction was to say he should dress up, since I’m only getting married once… except, I guess, I hope that’s not true. I still want to meet the right guy and get married for real someday. After Cam and I get divorced.
Gosh, my life is getting confusing.
