Page 21 of Hail Marry
I lift my shoulders. “I could use a little spice in my life. That near-miss with the semi has given me a distaste for playing it safe. And I want to help you.”
“You’re actually serious.”
“Yeah,” I say. Because, weirdly, I am. It’s crazy and impulsive, and it’s got my pulse racing in a way it hasn’t for a long time—maybe since I volunteered at an improv comedy night a couple years ago. “It doesn’t have to be a big deal. It’d be an on-paper marriage. And temporary, right?”
“Right,” he says, still watching me like any second I’m going to sayjust kidding!
“People get married and divorced all the time. How long would we need to be married?”
“I don’t know. Just until I get my visa squared away or my appeal makes it through the system. Maybe a few months?” He shifts in his seat, a new energy emanating from him as he thinks things through. “I don’t think you’d have to do much. A lot of wives and families stay behind during training season. Assuming I get drafted.”
I heave a big sigh. “But then we find that the distance has just been too much for our marriage in its infancy, and we get quietly divorced. So tragic.” I wag my brows. “See? I feel like this is a no-brainer.”
His gaze holds mine, then he shakes his head and laughs incredulously. “This is insane.” He points at me. “And you’re crazy.”
“Hey. Is that any way to talk to your fiancée?” Is it weird that I’m excited about this? No way can Jess say I’m boring. I’m the antithesis of boring. Compared to me, she’s a complete snooze-fest.
As a bonus, this means my hospital story about being engaged to Luca would actually come true! Take that, Ryan. I’m not a loser secretary who you dumped for another woman. I’m about to get married to a successful football player.
Luca sits up straighter, that same energy taking hold of him. I feel it too.
“So, what?” he asks. “We just go to the courthouse?”
I think for a few seconds. “Time is of the essence, right?Andwe’re so infatuated with each other that eloping is the only option. Obviously.”
He nods, taking my story as gospel. “Okay, but when?”
I grab my phone and pull up my schedule, looking through the week and the various meetings and tasks Bob has assigned me each day. When can I squeeze in a trip to the courthouse?
I stop suddenly, then turn off my phone screen. Looking through her schedule and meticulously planning when to take a break to marry a near-stranger is something boring Tori would do. It’s something Ryan would expect of me.
“How about tomorrow morning?” I suggest.
Luca’s brows go up. “Tomorrow?” He bites his bottom lip for a couple seconds as he considers it. Then he nods. “Okay. Yeah. Let’s do it.”
6
LUCA
I parkin front of Victoria’s house and stare at her door, hesitating. She told me to honk when I got here, but honking for the woman you’re about to marry feels wrong on a fundamental level.
I unlatch my seatbelt, get out of the car, then make my way to her door. If she thought my hands were sweaty at the hospital, she’s in for a real treat today. Not that we’ll be holding hands.
Part of me is nervous she’ll show up at the door in pajamas, look at me like I’m crazy, and tell me she was only joking about the whole marriage thing.
I’d basically accepted the NFL was off the table before I came to her house yesterday. She offered me a thread of hope, though, and I don’t know what I’ll do if it gets cut again.
Taking a deep breath, I knock on the door. I feel like I’m back in high school, picking up my prom date. That night ended with my date making out with one of my teammates, so it’s not the best memory.
The door opens suddenly, and Victoria appears, bent over and pulling on her shoes. She’s wearing wide-leg pants and a pink crew-neck T-shirt that’s tucked in. Her thick, wavy hair covers her shoulders, not totally dry yet.
“Good morning.” She winces as she pulls on the heel of her shoe and stands straight. Her smile wavers at the sight of me, her gaze running from my head to my feet. “I’m underdressed.”
“No.” I silently curse my choice to wear a suit. I debated for a good ten minutes but figured it might seem strange to the courthouse employees if I showed up in sweats to get married. “You look perfect.”
She cocks a brow at me. “Again, terrible liar.”
“I’m not lying,” I say, but she’s already walking away. Iwasn’tlying, though. Victoria’s a beautiful woman. It’s something I’d rather not notice, but I can’t help that I have fully functioning eyes.
