Page 74 of A Little Naughty

I step out of the car, straightening my skirt. I chose a simple white tunic dress with eyelet embroidery and tan cowboy boots. I pulled my hair back in a bow, and I only put on mascara and lip gloss.

“You look pretty.” Nikki takes my hand, looking up at me. “Even low-key.”

“Thanks.” I put my arm around her shoulder, giving her a squeeze.

We agreed this would be a low-key event. No fanfare, no bachelorette, no reception—much to my sister’s and her friends’ dismay.

The last thing I need to do is build this up to more than it is or get too attached. It’s why I didn’t want Cass or any of them here.

I said it was because Raif wasn’t inviting family, and I didn’t want him to feel outnumbered, but the truth is, I don’t want anyone broken-hearted when the adoption papers go through and we shake hands and go our separate ways—including me.

“Let’s do this.” Monay adjusts Angie under her arm, and she leads us through the glass door with the bell on it.

A woman is at the front desk, and when she looks up, her eyes widen. “You must be here for the wedding.” She hops up, clasping her hands together. “We get so few of these, the girls and I’ve been so excited.”

I have no right to be nervous, considering this marriage is only a means to an end, a thought that puts a lump in my throat, which I know is ridiculous.

“You’d better turn that frown upside down,” Monay murmurs in my ear. “What will people say?”

The woman leads us to a smaller door withJustice of the Peaceengraved on a plaque out front. “Your groom is waiting for you inside.”

I take a deep breath, putting a smile on my face, but when the door opens, I falter. The room is larger than I expected, and Raif is speaking to a man up front. He’s dressed in a dark gray suit and slim, black tie. His hair is brushed back into a small ponytail, and he looks like something out of a magazine.

He’s gorgeous, and when his eyes meet mine, his lips stop moving. His expression takes on an intensity that flushes my entire body with heat. I can’t move. Everything else fades away…

Until Monay nudges me in the back. “That’s more like it.”

A smile curls his lips, and he dips his chin before walking to where I stand.

“You’re beautiful.” His voice is low like we’re sharing a secret.

“Thank you,” I manage to answer.

“I got this for you.” He’s holding a small bouquet of flowers.

They’re light blue with dark blue little faces, and they’re tied with a baby blue bow.

“Pansies?” I take them from him, holding them to my nose.

“Your favorite.”

They don’t have a scent, but I don’t care. “They’re perfect.”

“They’re the color of your eyes.” He grins, and that dimple pierces his cheek.

“You look really good.” I reach out to slide my hand down the lapel of his jacket. “I’ve never seen you dressed up before.”

“It’s a special occasion.” He takes my hand and pulls it into the crook of his arm, and all my stoic intentions fly straight out the window.

All I want is to give my heart to this moment and to him and to the beautiful story unfolding in this sterile government office. I want my gorgeous husband, who gives me my favorite flowers and doesn’t hesitate to make my dreams come true…

Or help me solve my problems.

“If you’re ready, we can begin now.” The older man at the front of the room draws our attention.

Raif escorts me to stand before him. It’s a straightforward procedure. Monay and Nikki and the ladies from out front are our witnesses. We recite the standard promises to take care of each other, to be true to each other, in sickness and in health.

Nikki’s eyes are bright as she watches the whole thing, and the hint of a smile is on her small face. Monay has an elaborate handkerchief in her large hand, and she keeps hugging Angie Dickinson to her side and dabbing her eyes.

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