I smiled, and held the EXIT door open for him. “No maybe about it.”
Chapter Eleven
Seth
The day of the wedding came quickly. Tanner had tossed out the idea of getting married in the lush Sunken Gardens of the Santa Barbara county courthouse, but it seemed like overkill to me. I didn’t want to do anything that made this union seem too much like a real wedding. Mostly because I was finding it difficult to keep my feelings for Tanner at bay. The last thing he needed was for me to fall in love with him and turn this business deal into an emotional nightmare.
In the end we decided on just having the county clerk marry us. We’d already gotten the license, and we just needed the ceremony to make it official. Tanner’s parents were there, as was Gordon, who served as our witness. Tanner’s grandmother planned to be at the small dinner his mother had arranged in lieu of a reception. But standing and waiting in line at the county clerk’s office would have been strenuous for her at her age.
We didn’t wear tuxes, instead opting for regular suits. Tanner paid for us both to have dark blue suits tailored for the occasion. His mom had roses for our lapels when she arrived, and she tucked handkerchiefs from her late father in our coat pockets, saying that would cover the something borrowed and old part.
When I walked up the steps and first saw Tanner just inside the door to the county clerk’s office, my chest squeezed so tight I found it hard to breathe at first. He looked so handsome in his suit with his dark hair and eyes, my pulse spiked like an EKG machine.
He smiled and approached me. “Not gonna lie, I was half-afraid you’d stand me up.”
I laughed nervously. “No. I wouldn’t do that.”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t.” His hand pressed the small of my back, and he kissed my cheek. I wasn’t exactly sure why he did that; maybe he was as nervous as I was and it was just automatic. But I inhaled his spicy cologne, and my heart warmed.
Gordon came in right behind me, looking flustered in a dark green suit. When he caught sight of me, he smiled warmly. “Looks like a wedding.” His gaze switched to Tanner. “You must be Tanner.”
“I am.” Tanner smiled and held out his hand. “I assume you’re Gordon?”
“The one and the same.” Gordon patted my back. “How are you doing? Nervous?”
“Oddly enough, yes. Fake or not, weddings are stressful.” I laughed. Tanner knew I’d told Gordon the truth about our union, so I was glad I didn’t have to guard my tongue.
Tanner peered over my shoulder. “Here comes Dad. Late as usual.”
Douglas walked into the office with his face ruddy. Tanner’s mom hurried over to him scowling. “Where were you? I thought you were just parking the car.”
“I had to make a call.” He shifted his eyes around the area.
“Jesus, even when your son’s getting married you can’t turn your phone off?” Tanner’s mom grumbled.
“No, Martha, I can’t. The world doesn’t stop because of my son’s phony wedding.”
Tanner stiffened beside me. I found Douglas to be a bit of a jerk. He’d never been very warm to me, and today was no exception. He barely looked at me when he walked in. Of course, he didn’t really even engage with his own son either.
“Gordon, this is Martha and Douglas, Tanner’s parents.” I introduced my friend.
“Oh, hello.” Martha smiled warmly at Gordon. “It’s so wonderful that you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Gordon said cheerfully, shaking Douglas’s hand.
“I guess I should tell them everyone is here.” Tanner moved farther into the small office.
I peeked over his shoulder at the main office. There weren’t many people milling around, maybe because it was a weekday. I followed him into the office with the others trailing behind. There was a petite lady with gray curls behind the desk along with a couple of younger girls.
“You boys ready?” she asked, smiling.
Tanner nodded. “Everyone is here.”
“I believe you wanted to do the ceremony in the clock tower?” She lifted her brows.
Tanner glanced at me. “Yeah. I think that spot will be perfect.”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
