by Mia Carson
Billy tapped his chin. “She really doesn’t want a big wedding?”
“Nope, and honestly, I’m okay with that. I feel like it’s going to be hard enough convincing everyone that I’ve had a fiancée this whole time and she didn’t magically pop out of the ground.”
“I have that covered.” Vincent brows both shot up this time. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s my job to make sure every aspect of your life is covered. You’ve been with Lana Jenkins for a few years now and you finally popped the question. You’re both so in love you didn’t want to wait to get married so you decided to have a nice, simple ceremony because being together was more important than wasting thousands of dollars on one day.” Billy nodded firmly when he finished. “Of course, it will be more extensive than that, but I’ll have to actually meet this woman and ask her some questions.”
“You’re insane. Is this what you do in your free time? Come up with contingencies and stories?”
“Eh, some people go golfing. I ensure my friend and favorite client has his ass covered.”
“Well, I don’t get to meet her until Saturday, so you won’t get to meet her until then either.”
Billy’s head bobbed, then he shook it, looking confused. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t trust anyone else to be my witness and not blabber about the whole situation, so I’m asking you to be my best man and witness. Will you accept? Because if I have to drag my mother there and listen to her prattle on and on the entire ceremony about finally finding a woman I can wed and bed to give her grandkids, I won’t forgive you so easily.”
Billy’s eyes teared up, and he hastened to wipe them away and cleared his throat. “Yeah, I’ll be your witness. Thanks, Vinnie.”
Vincent patted him on the shoulder. “It’s not that big a deal.”
“My best friend and future Congressman is finally getting married and he actually seems happy about it. It’s a big deal.”
“Oh? And what about you, Mr. Charmer? When are you finally going to settle down with the woman of your dreams?”
“Eh, if this works well for you, I might decide to do the same.”
Vincent sat down with him at the small conference table in his office as they went over the game plan for Saturday. Lana would arrive at the courthouse an hour before the ceremony, but Vincent wouldn’t get to see her until she walked into the room to get married. His hands already shook with anticipation of seeing her in person, speaking with her, and what could possibly come later if they hit it off well enough. Sex was a very personal thing, and though they would be husband and wife, he would not push this woman to consummate their marriage the first night if she wasn’t comfortable. There was a chance he wouldn’t be either.
“What about a reception with everyone afterwards? Like the week after, once you two have a chance to get to know each other better?” Billy asked, setting up lists on his tablet and preparing to schedule such an event. “We could set it that Saturday. The convention center downtown looks wide open still.”
“I assume you’re going to tell me it would be good press to have a reception open to guests and certain reporters?” Vincent murmured.
“Yes, but if you don’t think she’s up for it…”
“No, no… if you think I should do it, then I will. I’m sure she’ll be fine with it.” He actually had no idea if she would be or not, but having their lives out in the open for the world to see was all part of being married to a politician. He’d left nothing out as far as those details went, of how much work would be involved with this campaign and her part in it. “Do it in the evening and make sure you get a good band. I don’t want it to be boring if it’s supposed to be our wedding reception.”
Billy grinned. “You got it, boss. Now, how about a tux for this Saturday?”
“I have one, but it’s old.”
“And you need a ring.”
“Shit, I didn’t even think about that.”
Billy laughed as he stood and tucked the tablet in his briefcase. “Then I think we need to go shopping. Shall we?” Billy offered his arm and Vincent gave him a friendly shove towards the door to his office.
A few hours later, Vincent changed back into his clothes after being fitted for a snazzy black tux, and Billy put a rush order on it so they would have it by Saturday morning.
“The ring is next,” Billy mumbled. “Do we need to get you a ring, or will she bring one?”
“I think I should get one. I don’t want her to have to pay for a ring,” he said as he stepped out of the changing room. “Lead the way.”
They left the tux shop and walked a few doors down to a jewelry store where they had to be buzzed inside. Vincent listened while Billy told the woman behind the counter what they were looking for as he peered into the glass cases of rings. He’d only talked to Lana once, and he was expected to pick a ring out for her? He only knew her likes from what he’d read on her profile, but that wasn’t nearly enough to figure out what ring was best suited to her. Did she even like diamonds?
“What were you looking for as far as style, sir?” the woman asked as she sidled over to him. “Princess cut, perhaps? Or something a little more unique?”
Vincent blew out an aggravated breath, his palms sweating. What if he picked the wrong ring? “Could we do something a little different as far as me picking a simple ring today and coming back for a new one in a week or so?”
The woman’s brow wrinkled. “You’re saying you want a place holder ring?”
“Yes, can we do that? I’ll pay for it in full, of course. I’m not asking to return it, but my situation is a bit unique. We’re eloping, you see,” he whispered as he leaned closer. “I’m sort of surprising her with a weekend getaway, something she’s always wanted.” It was as close to the truth as Vincent could get, but the woman’s bright smile told him she bought it.
“That is very sweet of you, and you want her to be able to pick out her ring afterwards?”
“Yes. She has very unique tastes. I told her she would have the chance to pick out her own ring. If I do it now, though, it’ll ruin the surprise. Can you help me?”
“Of course, sir,” the woman said. “Give me one moment to pull some selections for you. Will you need a ring for yourself as well?”
“Yes, if it’s no trouble.” The woman walked away, and Billy leaned on the glass case. “What are you smirking about?”
“You are definitely a politician in the making. Lying so smoothly already.”
“I don’t have a choice. I can’t exactly tell her about my current situation—unless you want to clean up the mess?” Vincent asked with a crooked grin, and Billy’s smile fell. “That’s what I thought.”
“No, you’re right, it’s the smart thing to do.”
Vincent walked around the small shop while the woman drew out several different rings. His eyes were drawn to a case of white gold bands with sapphires and fiery rubies staring back at him. If he were to pick a ring for his future wife, it would be one of those, a stone with character. A stone that would fit on the hand of a woman who had a great sense of humor and, he hoped, a continuing understanding of who he was as a person. The woman called him over, and he picked out a simple white gold band with a solitary diamond on it for Lana. For his own ring, he picked out a dark band made of tungsten with a darker band of white gold running around it.
“Very good, sir. I’ll ring this up and you’ll be ready to go.”
The woman measured his finger for his size and said a rush order was available, but he hadn’t a clue what size Lana’s finger was. She assured him they could resize it when he returned for the other ring.
As he walked out of the store with a receipt in his pocket for wedding rings, his stomach fluttered and his heart raced. “I think I need a drink.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet?”
“No, I don’t think so. I’m just nervous as hell. I’m getting married this weekend,” he whispered.
“Yes, you are,
and you know what that means?” Billy asked, but Vincent shook his head. “Bachelor party…brought to you by yours truly.”
“I don’t think I’m in the mood for a bachelor party,” he cringed. “If I’m going to do this, I’m going to start it out right. No strippers, Billy. Drinks only, and only with you. We’re keeping this quiet, remember?”
“All right then, a fine night of whiskey. How does that sound?”
Vincent agreed. A drink now would help soothe his nerves and prepare him for a night with his mother and her date, Todd, again. At least Lana had a good sense of humor. Any other woman might sit one night with his mother and her boyfriend and leave the room screaming. Doris certainly wasn’t holding back any longer. Vincent wanted her to be happy, but hearing about her latest adventures in bed with men Vincent had known since childhood was not how he intended to spend his evenings at her house.
A few more days, and he would be a married man. Vincent wondered if Lana was as nervous as he was, but there was no turning back now. He’d agreed to this and would see it through, even if it ended in divorce at the end of twelve weeks. An image of his parents, much younger and dancing on a rooftop, came to mind. Could Lana be that woman, willing to dance as if no one was watching and make love until the sun came up with a man she hardly knew?
“Vinnie, you coming?”
“Yeah, I’m coming,” he hollered and rushed to the curb where Billy waited beside his truck. “I hope this marriage pays off.”
“It will, trust me. Past elections show those who get married and have happy little families are seen as family men, men who care about family issues and being there when times get tough for those voters. It’ll work out perfectly, you’ll see.”
Vincent pulled away from the curb. “Then let’s go have a toast to my impending victory.”
4
Vincent fiddled with the flower on his tux jacket again until Billy slapped his hand away.
“Stop fidgeting, you look fine,” he assured him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d be this damn nervous.”
“You’re getting married. You’re supposed to be nervous.”
Vincent glowered at Billy. “And you would know this from past experience, would you?”
Billy shrugged one shoulder. “I watch a lot of Hallmark movies, all right? I’m a closet romantic. Just keep it together.”
“And the judge is okay with keeping the secret?”
“All he knows is that you and this young woman are getting married today because of the love you have for each other and you want it to be private because that’s the type of people you both are,” Billy said, waving Vincent’s worries away casually. “It’s going to be perfect, trust me.”
“Gentlemen,” the judge announced as he entered the room beaming. His greying hair and tiny glasses relaxed Vincent. He hadn’t personally met this man before but knew his reputation. Judge Harvey was a fair, kindhearted man. “Now then, Mr. Cunningham, are you ready to be married?”
Vincent shook the older man’s hand with a shaky smile. “You have no idea.”
“Good, then let us get started. Music, please,” he said, motioning to Billy who hit play on the stereo behind him. Soft violin music played through the room, and Judge Harvey smiled even wider. “Enter the bride, if you please!”
The door opened, and Vincent held his breath. A woman stepped into the room with a small bouquet of red and white roses in her hands. Her white pumps were a modest two inches at most and her dress was extremely conservative, though it fit her body beautifully. Vincent let out the breath and smiled, his heart warming as she returned his smile. Her light blue eyes lit up. He remembered them being far darker in the picture, but he was told quite often his eyes darkened and lightened based on his moods. Lana stepped into the room, and after taking a deep breath, she strolled down the short, makeshift aisle towards Vincent and Judge Harvey. The cream-colored dress hit her right at the knees, fitting like a pencil skirt that went up to a snug-fitting top with a V neck and sleeves going to her elbows. There was a belt at her waist, beaded and lacy, while a simple bejeweled headband completed the look on her head. Her blonde hair was pulled back with ringlets framing her face.
“Hi,” he whispered when she stopped before him.
“Hi,” she replied, and her smile faltered for a moment before she squared her shoulders and it spread across her perfect red lips again.
“Shall we begin?” Judge Harvey asked.
“Sorry, yes,” Vincent replied, unable to pull his gaze from Lana’s.
Judge Harvey talked them through the ceremony, ten minutes in all, and at the end of it, Lana held out her hand for Vincent to slip the ring on her finger. Her eyes glimmered at the sight of it and tears shimmered in her eyes as she took his hand in turn and slipped the ring he’d picked out onto his hand.
“Nice choice,” she whispered out of the side of her mouth, nodding at his ring. “It suits you.”
“We’ll pick you out another for you soon,” he promised, and she grinned wider.
“Now then, by the power vested in me be the state of Texas,” Judge Harvey announced, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Vincent.”
Vincent froze. Should he kiss her? He fumbled for a second, but Lana squeezed his hand and leaned in close. He closed his eyes and meant to do a simple brushing of his lips against hers, but the second they made contact, it was as if she was meant for him. Their lips moved against one another’s, and his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his body. She kissed him without hesitation, and they didn’t stop until Judge Harvey cleared his throat politely.
“Save some for the honeymoon, kids,” he teased.
“Sorry,” Vincent mumbled as he drew back reluctantly.
Lana appeared as surprised as he felt by their instant connection. “Well, I guess we’re married. Now what?” she asked, laughing lightly.
“Now we start our lives together.” Vincent took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his elbow. “Mrs. Lana Cunningham.”
Her smile disappeared and she seemed to choke before she shook her head and the glimmer of guilt he swore he spotted in her eyes vanished. “Lead the way.”
They waved to Billy and Judge Harvey, the first saying he would drop off the papers later at the house. Vincent walked Lana through the courthouse and out to his truck. She smirked when he opened the passenger side door for her.
“What’s so amusing?” he asked. Her smile was contagious, and he found himself grinning with her.
“I knew this was your truck. Don’t tell me how, but I knew it.” She paused before climbing inside. Her face paled, and she swallowed hard several times. Vincent reached gently for her hand and kissed the back of it. “I’m sorry, I just…uh, I’m having issues at the moment.”
“You’re not the only one,” he promised. “We’ll take everything slow, I promise you, and I’m not taking you back to my house to lock you away forever.”
She barked a loud laugh, then covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, that’s embarrassing.”
“Not to me. You should’ve seen me this morning.”
“You’re the one who wanted a married at first sight bride.”
“Yes, well, it’s still nerve-wracking to invite someone into your life—a stranger,” he said softly, running his thumb over her knuckles. “Today will be about getting to know one another over a nice dinner and a bottle of champagne, or several.”
The color returned to her cheeks. “I think I can handle that plan.” With his help, she climbed into the truck. He slid in behind the wheel a few seconds later and drove towards the house. He’d considered taking her out to dinner, but Billy warned that was inviting images and stories spreading that they weren’t ready for. The whole drive, he watched Lana as she gripped the door of his truck until her knuckles turned white and she whispered something under her breath.
“Do you have a problem with cars?” he asked.
“It’s nothing�
��an irrational fear. Don’t worry, I’m not going to ruin your upholstery,” she teased as she flinched when they drove over a bump.
Vincent pulled up the drive to the house and parked in the garage. “We’re here. You okay?”
She nodded and blew out a few breaths. “Yep, right as rain.”
“Good,” he said and stepped out of the truck. He opened her door again for her and led her inside the mansion he’d owned for the past ten years. “Welcome home, Lana.”
She stepped away from him, her jaw dropping as she walked further into the kitchen. “Holy shit,” she whispered. “This is incredible. Did you do all the work yourself?” She ran her hands along the dark wood cabinetry and admired the state-of-the-art appliances. Her eyes caught every detail down to the stone floor beneath her feet. She kicked off her heels and wiggled her toes against the cold stone as he watched.
“If this is how you react to a kitchen, I can’t wait to see what you do with the rest of the house,” he said through his laughter.
Bouncing on the balls of her feet, she peered out of the kitchen. “May I?”
“This is your home now, too,” he told her. “Please, feel free.”
Lana rushed out of the kitchen, and he heard her cursing in amazement as she explored the first floor of the house. He drew out a bottle of champagne, popped the cork, and filled two glasses before he tracked her down at the bottom of the staircase staring up at the antler chandelier hanging overhead.
“What do you think so far?” he asked as he handed her a glass.
“I think I am not going to regret living here, for starters,” she teased and they clinked their glasses together. “Cheers.”
They sipped their champagne as Vincent studied the woman standing in front of him. She was everything he imagined after chatting with her that first night, but for some reason, she seemed to act in complete opposite of the profile he’d read on the website. The way she acted was not like any paralegal he knew, nor did he expect to spot the many holes along her right ear lacking earrings at the moment. When she turned, he also spotted black ink curling up along the back of her neck, almost hidden by her dress and hair. Her profile said nothing about tattoos and piercings.