Page 108 of The Marriage Narrative
“Days.”
[Off-screen Producer]“How long did you know each other before you got married?”
“Eight days.”
Right on time, the video devolved into chaos—rapid-fire clips of fighting, bleeped swearing, Bea meeting with a noticeably not pregnant Sadie. Jordan thought they’d show what happened with their wedding cake, but no. They went for the jugular instead.
The crowd went deathly silent as a concerned camera pod stood in front of a closed door, quietly arguing if they shouldintervene and knock—something that hadneverhappened before onZaffre Hours.
The trailer ended with audio of Zinnia crying, and in case anyone was unsure, the subtitles confirmed it.
“Grace is going to kill you,” she said.
“Fiona, actually.” His heart was shattering into smaller and smaller pieces for every gasp, sob, and hiccup. “And I’m going to let her.”
Chapter 26
Zinnia
Jordan’s hand waspressed against her lower back. The event promoter was holding the rope to pull back the blue curtain. A club full of strangers who all knew her name, her face, and had heard her cry were waiting.
“Wait, where’s the restroom?” she asked.
The event promoter gawked at her like an exasperated parent driving during a road trip. “Go back the way we came, make an immediate left, three doors down. Hurry or you’ll miss your mark.”
“Then she’ll fucking miss it,” Jordan snapped, and then softened his tone for Zinnia. “Hey, take your time, okay? Did you see the bar? Right corner? I’ll hit our mark. You meet me there when you’re ready.”
They bowed until their foreheads touched.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Zinnia sprinted backstage as fast as her dress would allow until she found it and locked herself inside. She adjusted her bodice. Inspected her makeup. Faced the truth in the mirror.
The trailer was out now. Her parents were going to be so disappointed that she didn’t marry for love. Even worse, she had a business marriage that borderline disrespected the values they’d instilled in her.
Jordan was her work husband. Being his wife was her job, and she excelled in her role bylying. They’d watch the show and listen to them lie about their feelings over and over again. She’d have to explain how her husband expertly curated their real story for the cameras, twisting it into something unrecognizable.
Love at first sight was acceptable. Business meetings were not.
They’d see the footage of Bea—how devastated she was over the love of her life suddenly marrying someone else. Hear the wayeveryonebelieved that they’d reunite someday, with pictures of them together plastered on the screen as proof.
Because he’d fallen in love before, and it could happen again. Just not with her.
A hollow feeling began carving its way through her chest. Thinking of Jordan falling in love shook her to the core. He’d walk through an Open Door and forget all about her waiting for him to come back home.
Zinnia exhaled, shaking the nerves out of her hands and trying to clear her mind. She couldn’t think about that now. She needed to get to work.
“You are the most supportive and amazing wife at this party,” she said to her reflection. No tears. No whimpers. No cake. “You’re the best thing at this party, period.”
Jordan
He made it to the bar, mostly unscathed, and slid into a partially obscured corner with the bartender’s blessing. They alsograciously agreed to keep an eye out for Zinnia when she came to find him and show her the way.
Everything was all right. She processed best with time and a little space. He didn’t need to go with her and hover. She would come to him. Everything wasn’t ruined.
Now if only his brain wouldstophysterically disagreeing. Her horrified expression when Sadie announced the trailer flashed in his mind. When Bea appeared on-screen, he didn’t know why, but his first instinct was to check on Zinnia. In all the time they’d spent together, he’d never seen her have a non-reaction until that moment. She was a blank wall—nothing there for him to read or guess—and it scared the shit out of him.
