Page 17 of Curious
Or limp to your wedding on crutches.
Or get married to someone of the same sex … when you’re straight.
I scrub my face, the crutches under my armpits holding me up. “Yeah.”
This is no big deal, I tell myself. This is just so I can get my body fixed and get back to work. This is so I can survive.
That sounds so mercenary. This is also so a kind guy can get away from his evil ex and have a place to stay. We’re both helping each other out.
Right? I don’t want this to be one-way. I want to give something back to Shelby.
I’m very aware of the rings in my pocket and the fact that I’m about to say vows to legally commit to Shelby. I picked Costco for the rings because last time I bought a set, I went to the most romantic store I could find. Never again. Shelby told me his size, and I really hope it fits. If not, I guess we can get it resized.
I glance over, and Charlie is studying me.
“What?” I ask churlishly as we make our way to the door.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
I don’t believe him, but I let him drop it and do my best to hurry. We’re running a little late.
Running. Ha. No running for me anytime soon. That’s why we’re here, after all.
When I step into the county building, where it’s comfortably cool, I look around for Shelby. I can’t help it. How’s he doing? Is he okay?
Has he come to his senses and decided to back out?
Is he going to get to the last minute, just like Leah, and say no—leaving me hanging, in a tuxedo, in front of two hundred people wondering what the hell they just witnessed?
I shake my head. No. This isn’t the same thing. I’m under no illusion that Shelby’s in love with me. Unlike her.
Still, I wonder what he’s wearing, what he’s thinking. A vain part of me hopes he likes that I got dressed up for him.
As we proceed down the hall, I see two men waiting by the door to the registrar, and my heart leaps. One of them is dark haired and slight, but the other, even shorter, has platinum hair that shines despite the crappy fluorescent lights of a government office. He’s wearing a stylish suit that shows off his small build. Shelby is someone I always noticed at company picnics, and I’m proud he’s going to be on my arm. And yes, I can’t help being relieved that he showed up. I couldn’t go throughthatembarrassment twice.
Shelby turns around, sees me, and smiles, and something about that smile loosens a tight place in my chest. My heart starts beating really fast, and for a moment I get worried. Even though I don’t have a heart condition.
I’m getting married. To a man. Tothisman.
I may not be into men, but he’s really handsome—even with the shiner that he wasn’t entirely able to hide with makeup. I could do a lot worse than getting married to Shelby Borchard. I almostdiddo worse last year.
Shelby sees that I’m having issues walking with my crutches and comes running, fussing over me. “Hey,” he says. “Can I give you a hand somehow?”
“No.” I smile at him, reaching out and squeezing his shoulder. “Thanks, though. You look amazing. That’s a great suit.”
He swallows and nods. “Um. Thanks. You, too. You clean up really well.” His voice sounds unnaturally high. “You remember Alden? He’s a friend from work.”
“Our bookkeeper,” Charlie adds.
As Alden shakes my hand, he looks me over curiously. I school my facial features and move closer to Shelby. Charlie stares at us open-mouthed.
“What?” I hiss, once Shelby has turned back to Alden.
Charlie doesn’t answer for a moment. Then he murmurs in my ear, “You’re really doing this.”
I nod. “What’s the big deal?”
He zips his mouth shut, but I can tell he’s sputtering inside that marriage is a big deal, and that it’s a big deal that I’m getting married to a man, not a woman. But whatever.
