He’s taking this seriously.
“Everything looks in order,” the judge says as he glances at our documents. He spreads out several papers. “I’m required by law to do this part. Do you, Luca Marino, take Fiorella Serrano as your lawfully wedded spouse?”
“I do,” Luca says. Nothing more, only a look back at me. No hesitation in his eyes.
Well, shit. The judge looks at me.
“Do you, Fiorella Serrano, take Luca Marino as your lawfully wedded spouse?”
Nope, no thanks, I’m good, thanks anyways.
“I do.” My voice comes out a soft chirp.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you married. Luca, if you’d like to give her the ring while I take care of this?” The judge bends down and squints as he starts signing the marriage documents.
Luca turns to me. I’m intensely aware of everyone in the cramped space. Sweat dribbles down my back and my head spins. Did this really just happen? Was that all it took to marry a total stranger?
He takes my hands in his, flips open the box, and presses a diamond ring to my finger.
I stare at the rock. “Holy crap,” I say in surprise.
It’s freaking huge.
And not even remotely my style. I mean, I like understated things. Simple beauty. But this monstrosity is going to get caught on a bolt if I try to wear it while fixing my cars.
Still, it must’ve cost a small fortune.
Which is perfect for when it’s time for me to escape.
He slides it on and it’s a perfect fit.
“Now it’s real,” Luca says and moves closer. My heart races right up into my throat as he presses his lips to my cheek. “Now you’re mine,” he whispers so only I can hear.
“Oh,” is all I can manage to say.
My cheeks are burning red with embarrassment. I wish I could come up with something clever. Some pithy retort to put him back in his place.I’m not yours, fuckwad. Not exactly a killer one-liner.
Judge Hensley saves me. He takes over, and the ceremony becomes a business meeting. I sign and initial as he walks me through what everything means. Five minutes later, he ushers everyone back out into the hall.
“Congratulations, you two,” he says, not looking happy at all. “I wish you both, ah, health and happiness.”
“We’ll have plenty of both,” Luca says, putting an arm around my shoulders and yanking me close.
“Not if you don’t relax with the touching,” I murmur through a plastered-on smile.
His grip only tightens. “This is non-negotiable.”
“Better start negotiating your way off me or I’m going to?—”
We make it halfway down the hall before Raf turns and congratulates us. He shakes Luca’s hand, which gives me enough space to slip away from him. Elisa hugs me, tears in her eyes. I’m not sure why she’s crying. I’m the one who got married.
“You’re gonna be okay, right?” She hugs me tightly. “You promise me you’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” I squeeze her, relaxing and breathing her in. “You and I are forever, you know that, right?”You drink. I’ll be okay, I promise.
“I know that. We’re forever.”
I’m tempted to talk more about our future deal, but decide against it. There will be time. There has to be time.
