Page 85 of Hot Shot
“She can do whatever she wants for her to feel okay joining us.”
“You don’t mind having them there? At the ceremony?”
“C’mon. Talk while we walk.” I slip my hand in hers and pull her close. “And just so we’re clear, all I want to do is get married to you. I don’t care who is or isn’t there to watch it happen.”
“Are we going?”
We both turn to find Andrew in the doorway of his office.
“Yes.” “Yes.”
Looking back at Blake, I grin. We’ve been doing that more each day. It seems the longer we spend together, the more in sync we become.
“Then let’s get out of here. Your mom has a list of things as long as my arm she wants me to pick up while you two deal with the paperwork. I’ve also been given strict instructions to drop you off in the underground garage near the staff entrance where Maggie will meet us. She’ll usher you into the building with as little exposure as possible.”
“She thinks we need the secrecy?” I follow Andrew through the house. “Surely there won’t be any reporters waiting around in case they spot someone worth printing about in the media.”
“Now days it isn’t about reporters or photographers getting the scoop. It’s the public with their smart phones and social media. One pic, a few words of where you were spotted, and it’ll be all over the internet before the ink is dry on your license and the place will be swarming with fans and media.”
“Ah, true. I forgot how exposed social media has made everyday life.” I shouldn’t have. It’s how the story of my marriage to Celeste broke. It’s how the news of Laura’s death was revealed to the world.
Blake’s hand squeezes mine. “It’s fine. We’ll keep our jackets and tuques on. Keep our heads down. I’d say we should wear sunglasses but that would be like a red flag to a bull.”
“Definitely no glasses. And after the ceremony you two can choose which pictures you want to share with the world and post them yourselves. Or let me or one of your brothers post.”
“I’ll call Cami when we get back. Get some ideas, put together a plan so we beat them, whoever they are, to the punch.”
“Do you want them here? Cami and Oakley? Nat?” I know we’re rushing. I’m rushing. Except now that we’re here, with my ring on her finger, heading out to get a marriage license, I don’t want to slow down.
“No. We’ll video call with them, Mason and Sutton too. Mom said she’d organize it.”
“As long as you’re okay with doing it, getting married this way.”
“Bran, I just want to get married. It doesn’t matter to me how we do it. I told you, my only request is doing it in Canada.”
Smiling down at her I’m struck by how quickly things have changed. How muchI’vechanged. “I can’t believe I get to call you wife by the end of the day.”
“Believe it.”
Andrew’s phone beeps, drawing our attention. Looking at it he scowls. “Damn woman. Can’t I at least get out of the house before you give me more things to do?” he grumbles while tapping on the screen.
“Is that Mom?” Blake grins, obviously knowing the answer.
“Yes. I have another list of things to get.” Glancing up he says, “You two be okay if I leave you at the municipal offices while I go pick up everything your mom thinks we need?”
“Of course.”
“You should be fine. It’ll take a bit to get the paperwork filled out and approved, although Maggie said she’ll put a rush on it, walk it through the process to make sure it doesn’t sit waiting on anyone’s desk.” He looks at his phone again. “It should only take me an hour or so to get everything on Mom’s list.”
“All right. Let’s get going. The quicker we get there, the quicker we get back.” Blake leads the way to the attached garage, her hand gripping mine tight, not that I’m letting go or going anywhere she isn’t.
Andrew slaps my shoulder. “Best learn to follow the wife. Smartest thing you’ll ever do.”
“I would think the smartest thing is convincing her to be my wife in the first place.”
Blake
Never once have I thought about what my wedding would be like. I was never one of those girls dreaming of their Prince Charming and the perfect wedding. No time for any of that when my biggest concern was beating my brothers and Bran on the ice.
