I’m feeling better about things until Paige stands at the back of the room with her little white dress and a bouquet of white roses.
What the actual fuck? I thought we were doing casual? I’m wearing a suit, one of two I own—the black one, since I wore the brown one to my meeting with Harlan—while Paige looks ready to twirl around a ballroom. She stayed at Baylee’s house last night because Sylvia wouldn’t hear of her staying at my ranch the night before the wedding.
We agreed we’d only tell Baylee and my brothers the real reason we were doing this. That’s too many people as it is, but I won’t lie to my brothers. I need their support right now, so it’s only fair she has someone in her corner too.
The downside to this arrangement is that Baylee’s mom doesn’t have a clue this is all for show, and now I have to figure out our sleeping situation at that cabin.
But first I have to get through our wedding.
The longer I stare at Paige, the harder my heart beats.
Her stunning red hair is piled high on her head with curls tumbling down her slender shoulders. She’s decked out in a fitted, white, silky dress that hugs her gorgeous body to perfection. And she’s wearing sparkling sandals that make her legs look amazing. Should she be wearing that with her hurt ankle? They’ve got a little heel. When she takes a step, I notice how gingerly she walks.
But then she smiles at everyone, and I forget my own goddamn name because she’s so fucking gorgeous, I barely keep my mouth from falling open.
I glance at Harlan, and he gives me a thumbs-up.
Right. Play along, dumbass. Don’t act so fucking out of it.
Baylee’s mom walks Paige down the aisle and kisses her on the cheek before she hands her off to me.“Que Dios te bendiga.”
She just blessed us.
I’m going to hell.
Paige beams up at me, and I feel like someone kicked me. Why am I dragging her into my mess? Danny would beat my ass if he was here.
Judge Tate smiles. “I just wanna say how happy I am to have this job today. I had Rhett and Paige in my Sunday school when they were yea tall. They were years apart, of course, but I’m still tickled about this.”
I wanted a courthouse wedding because I figured it would be fast and impersonal. I didn’t count on having Frannie Tate as our judge.
Frannie gives us another wide smile. “Can y’all turn to each other and hold hands?” We do as she asks.
As I stare down at my best friend’s little sister, I catalogue how much she’s changed over the years. There’s no dirt on her face or knots in her hair. No cuts or bruises on her knees. No candy melted on her hands or undone shoelaces tripping her.
Gone is the little girl who trailed behind me and her brother. In her place is a glamorous, beautiful woman.
I hope she doesn’t notice the dust on my boots, which I should’ve shined.
Frannie holds her arms open. “We’re gathered today before these witnesses to join this man and woman in holy matrimony. May Rhett and Paige comfort each other in hard times, share one another’s dreams, and be each other’s biggest support. May they be the best of friends and love each other unconditionally, and may that love grow stronger every day.”
Jesus. I don’t remember my first wedding being this lovey-dovey, and that was held in a church.
“Rhett, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in matrimony? Will you cherish her friendship? Honor and love her? Will you be by her side faithfully, today, tomorrow, and forever?”
Not six months.
Not until I get my loan and pay off shit.
Forever.
That’s what this is supposed to be. These are vows, for fuck’s sake. I always take my vows seriously. Promising to look after my brothers is what got me into this mess in the first place.
Maybe I just need to do what Beau suggested and be sure to treat Paige right, and we’ll get through this.
I clear my throat. “I do.”
When Paige is asked the same questions, she glances at me hesitantly, so I squeeze her hand and wink.
