"Marriage is a gift," the minister nearly shouted, eyeing us both with a reproving glower.
Spencer shrugged innocently. "I would have shared the information with you if you'd returned my calls."
"Please tell me you didn't sign that," I whispered harshly.
"… it is a union that symbolizes…"
Another shrug. "Now you want to make demands? Awfully brassy of you at the altar. I could say 'no' when he asks if I take your hand."
I narrowed my eyes. "You wouldn't."
"… a partnership rooted in trust," the minister fairly shouted, clearly irritated, now.
"Fine. Name your terms," I glowered.
"You take my name," he said, his voice low but his eyes hardened granite.
My mouth popped open soundlessly. The minister took that moment to loudly declare, "Today, Theodore Spencer and Arabella Rook stand before us, ready to declare their love and devotion…"
"Are you crazy?" I hissed, finding my voice.
He lifted his brows. "It's not that big of a deal. Unless you'rethatattached to your mommy and daddy's name."
Why was he doing this? Why would he care? We were just going to divorce whenever I could manage to get out of Sylvia's grasp, and then I'd have to change my name all over again. "I'm not doing that," I growled.
He shrugged one shoulder. "Suit yourself."
"Spencer."
The minister intoned, "Theodore Spencer, do you take Arabella Rook to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together—"
"Spencer," I said again through tight lips.
He gave me a complacent smile. "Mrs. Spencer or no Spencer. You choose."
"Are you fuckingkidding me?"I whisper-screeched.
"—as long as you both shall live?" The minister's mouth had puckered with annoyance, and his glower was readily apparent now. Spencer just smiled, waiting. I clenched my teeth while an uneasy silence descended on the tent.
"Fine," I bit out.
"I do," Spencer declared smugly.
"And do you Arabella—"
"But I never want to see you again," I whispered suddenly. "In exchange."
Spencer shook his head. "You're not in a position to barter, Bee. Nice try, though."
"—to have and to hold—"
"What?" I squeezed out.
"—as long as you both shall live?"
Spencer bounced his eyebrows. I glared daggers. "I do," I ground out.
"You may exchange rings if you so wish," the now exasperated older man said.
