Page 38 of Play Fake
“It’s now time to exchange the rings. Dex, place your bride’s ring on her finger and let it be a reminder of your promise today.”
I slide the cheap gold band Peggy sold me onto Ainsley’s finger.
“Ainsley, place your groom’s ring on his finger and let it be a reminder of your promise today.”
She slides the matching band onto my finger.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
We smile at each other, and I feel the tiniest bit of awkwardness as I know what comes next. We didn’t discuss this part, but I’m supposed to kiss my bride. Carl didn’t say it, but everyone knows it’s what comes at the end of the ceremony. You seal it with a kiss.
I’m not shy when it comes to this sort of thing, but she’s different. She’s not one of the women clamoring to get close to me. She’s unassuming and sweet.
Her eyes flick tentatively to my mouth, and I use that as my invitation.
I take a single step toward her, and I slowly lower my lips to hers.
It’s barely a touch of lip to lip, and it’s not enough. I slide my arm around her waist and haul her to me, and for just a second, I forget where I am. All good sense walks straight off the premises, and I’m about ready to strip her naked as thoughts of that black dress from the night of the charity event pop unbidden back into my mind.
Chapel, Dex. You’re in a chapel. And you’re kissing your sister’s best friend.
Your wife.
Your sister’s best friend.
These words are pulling at me from each direction, ready to tear me in two as I try to figure out which side is screaming louder at me.
A third voice pops uninvited into the mix.She’s caring for your kid.
That’s the one that has me pulling back. She’s in a daze, and her fingertips move up to touch her lips as if she can’t believe that really just happened.
I wouldn’t be surprised ifthatis the photo this place wants to use of us, but in all likelihood, they’ll choose one where my face can clearly be seen.
None of it matters, though.
All that matters is that I’m walking out of here with a wife.
CHAPTER 15: Ainsley Bradley
Parents
I’m afraid to ask about that kiss. He was just doing it for the photo op, I’m sure, and asking about it will only lead me to disappointment.
Still, a tiny part of me is convinced it meant more than that.
I’m sure that tiny part is just nuts, but I also know what I felt.
We’re quiet on the drive home, and once we pull into his parking space, he pauses after he cuts the engine. He looks over at me. “Should I order in a nice dinner or something to celebrate?”
I lift a shoulder. “I don’t really know what comes next, to be honest.”
“Neither do I. I’ve never been married before.”
“Same. Especially not because I’m trying to fool the media.”
He laughs. “Then we pave our own way, I guess.”
“I should call my parents. They don’t even know filming wrapped on the show, and here I am married to someone else already.” I make a face.
