Page 27 of Glass & Groundwork
I'd blown my hair out to give it more volume and sprayed it heavily so it would keep its shape as it framed my face. I applied some purple eye liner and switched out my septum ring for one with an amethyst gem in it. Feeling satisfied with my look, I pulled out my phone, hovering over the text thread with Gio. I'd been so busy the last few days between packing enough clothes for my initial move to the farmhouse, and getting everything sorted for the wedding, I had hardly seen Gio. We'd been in pretty constant contact, though. Texting or calling him had become my first instinct in a very short amount of time. I felt my lips tip up as I hit the text window.
Me: I'm ready. Are we still doing this?
Gio: I'm good if you are.
My ridiculous smile stretched wider at the ease in his reply. It was hard to read emotion in text, but with Gio, he seemed pretty unflappable most of the time. Well, minus the blush that colored his cheeks at times, making him this wonderful mix of strong, calm, and fucking adorable.
Me: I'm good. About ready to head out.
Gio: Okay. I'll see you soon.
I guess that was that. I let out a laugh.Happy wedding day,I mused to myself. Maybe it wasn't the kind of endless declaration of love I expected I would have on my wedding day, but thatwas okay. There might still be an opportunity to have that… one day. We hadn't discussed any kind of term limits, but I imagined Gio wasn't expecting this to be a forever thing. It would just be myfirstmarriage. The laugh that escaped earlier built into an outburst, as I thought about how much it made me sound like the people in my parents’ world. The ones that collected spouses like it was a competition. Men who proudly boasted how terrible they were at committed relationships as they introduced their fourth or fifth wife.
I wouldn't turn into them. I refused. If receiving my money turned me into an asshole with a wandering eye, I'd rather give it all back.After, my shop was done, of course. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate beautiful men or nonbinary folks, and I'd had plenty of fun hooking up, though dating came with challenges and trust issues.
Even though this was a platonic marriage, with all Gio was sacrificing to do this for me, the very least I could do was be faithful and committed to him. I might have a lot ofself lovein my future, but I would be the biggest asshole in the world if I asked Gio to marry me only to screw around with other people. Aside from the fact that I didn't want to be that person, I also needed to protect the optics of our marriage, too. I had no doubt that my parents would swoop in if it didn't seem above board.
Grabbing my toiletries, I stuffed them into the overnight bag I left by the front door. I had a few suitcases full of clothes and staples in the Jeep already. When I opened the door, I looked around my apartment, saying goodbye. I wasn't giving up my apartment, as Gio suggested, but I wouldn't be staying here any longer, except for extenuating circumstances. What those might be, I didn't know, but it felt like the end of an era. It was bittersweet. I liked it here. It had been the first place I'd gotten all on my own after leaving Orange County. On the other hand, I liked having a body to sleep next to, and Gio's was a really niceone. I'd only spent the one night with him so far, but was already looking forward to more.
With that, I grabbed the overnight bag, locked the door, and left to meet Gio at the courthouse. Maybe a small part of me wished this was a bigger ordeal and not just a random Thursday thing, but it was what the situation demanded.
When I pulled into the parking lot at the courthouse, the sight of Gio's truck made my heart do a little flip. He was here, and we were actually going through with it.What the fuck was my life?
After parking, I checked myself in the mirror, and drew in a long breath, blowing it out slowly. Tugging my suit jacket down, I lifted my chin, and walked toward the entrance.Here we go.
The door opened before I could reach it and Gio was there, holding it for me. I took a moment to look him up and down. The man looked good,reallydamn good. He wore a simple black suit with a white shirt, but he wore the hell out of it. When I saw the tie, I couldn't help but laugh at the black material with a subtle honeycomb pattern, and a few bees popping against the black. Gio's short, black and silver hair was combed much as it always was with a side part, but his cleanly-shaved face and glasses rounded off the effect for a simple but classy look.
“Hi,” I said, awkwardly. “You look really nice.”
Gio's eyes traveled over me, taking in all the details of my retro outfit. When his gaze lifted to meet mine, at last, that wonderful blush returned to his cheeks.Cute.Fucking cute.“Yeah, hi. Sorry, but… wow.”
One side of my lips tugged up. “Is that a good wow?”
His head bobbed as he seemed to find words. “Yes. It's a good wow. You look incredible.”
I put a hand on his chest, smoothing the lapel of his jacket and said with a tease, “Thanks,Daddy.”
He sputtered a cough and the color on his cheeks brightened. Damn, it was fun to see on a man who was usually so composed.It made me want to kiss his surprised expression.Kiss! My eyes widened as I realized in all the planning that had happened over the past few days, we'd overlooked something crucial.
Seeing my change in expression, Gio's shyness shifted into that protective caretaker I admired. “What's wrong?”
I gripped the lapel I had just been caressing, and tugged him to follow me. “Come with me.”
Gio followed willingly, his pace matching my urgent one as I headed to the men's room, and pulled him inside it. We stood in front of the sheet metal that acted as a scuffed and foggy mirror. I supposed glass in a courthouse was probably a bad idea.
Gio stepped close to me, looking down at my face, studying it. The concern in his rich, brown eyes gave me butterflies. I wasn't used to being on the receiving end of this kind of care. He asked, “Is everything okay?”
“We're getting married.”
Gio's brow arched with confusion. “Yes? That was the plan. Do you not want to go through with it anymore? Whatever you decide to do, I'll support.”
I waved a hand. “No, it's not that. As long as you're still good.”
“I am. So… what is it?”
“We're gettingmarried. What's going to happen after we say I do?” I prompted.
“You move in with me? I thought we had that all figured out.”
