Page 45 of Pretend Girlfriend

“That’s going to leave a mark!” Uncle Robert whisper-shouted in the second row. A few people around him groaned.

Theo was giving me a sideways look, though. I shrugged at him. He probably thought Joanna’s kiss was stealing the show, but I didn’t think it was a big deal.

Carol came down the aisle last, and then the priest motioned for everyone to rise. The guitar music trailed off, and a long silence stretched. Then Marisa appeared at the back of the aisle, escorted by her father. She paused, eyes shimmering as she looked up at her groom.

The wedding planner was off to the left, pointedly coughing. I glanced over there: Austin was standing with his guitar, but instead of playing any music, he was transfixed by the bride.

“Hey!” the wedding planner hissed. “Canon in D! Austin!”

The Texan gave himself a little shake, and then resumed playing. Marisa and her father began the long walk down the aisle.

The ceremony was short and sweet. A few stories, a couple of prayers, and then the vows. Theo made a show of patting his body and pretending like he’d lost the ring, but then bent down and pulled it out of his sock. He thrust his hand in the air, proudly displaying the ring like Frodo at the end of Return of the King.

Always the goofball, that guy.

After the ceremony, we walked down the aisle in pairs. Bradyn and Marisa first, obviously. Theo and Carol went next.

I extended my elbow for Joanna, and she clung to it as we walked away from the altar. “You look amazing,” I said.

“You clean up pretty nicely yourself,” she replied. “Your ass looks downright illegal in those tuxedo pants. Don’t be angry if I cop a few feels tonight while I’m still your girlfriend.”

Strangely, the compliment made my cheeks hot. It meant more coming from Joanna than if she was my actual girlfriend. “How many mimosas have you had?”

“That’s none of your business,” she said, sticking her nose in the air. “But I’ll give you a hint. It’s a number between four and six.”

“You’ve had five mimosas already?!?!”

She gasped. “You cracked my code. You must be a math genius.”

The two of us giggled while joining the others in the clubhouse, and for a few moments I forgot that we were only pretending.

19

Joanna

I felt every eye on me as I walked up the aisle at the beginning of the ceremony. And I couldn’t blame them.

I looked fucking good.

The bridesmaid dresses were all blue, but with different styles for each one. The dresses worn by Chloe, Wanda, and Carol all looked tacky, like cheap prom dresses. It made me wonder if Marisa had chosen them to look bad on purpose to make her look better by comparison.

But the dress Liz was going to wear was nicer. Danicka had called in a seamstress to make the last-minute alterations at the clubhouse, and it fit me like a glove. If anything, it made me look too good. Especially since Marisa’s dress was such a trainwreck.

So yeah. Everyone stared, in a good way, as I walked up the aisle. Especially Theo and Landon at the front.

And, strangely, Austin. It was impossible not to notice the cowboy-hat-wearing man’s crystal blue gaze over on the left, playing guitar in front of a microphone. He was looking at me the way a cartoon wolf looks at a cartoon pork chop.

I knew he was probably just wondering if I had done my job sowing doubt with the bride. I really hope he didn’t force the issue with me later. Or cause any other kind of scene during the ceremony. Seriously, who invited their ex to their own wedding?

The kiss I gave Landon wasn’t planned ahead. It was totally spontaneous. I wanted to make sure we really sold the whole girlfriend-boyfriend thing, especially while we were in front of so many people. The last thing I wanted was for him to accuse me of not being convincing enough. I wasn’t going to give him any excuses to back out of our deal, not when we were so close.

Besides, I kind of liked kissing him. I could admit that since I had a nice buzz from all the mimosas. And he did look pretty damn handsome in his tux. Almost as sexy as Theo next to him. Hopefully the kiss didn’t make the Best Man too jealous. I gave him a private little smile in passing before taking my spot next to Wanda.

The ceremony was tasteful and sweet, and then we were all moving along to the reception inside the country club. We were announced as pairs, with Landon and me getting a pretty big cheer from the guests. It appeared that my fake boyfriend was well-liked.

Marisa and Bradyn immediately launched into the first dance. Even though I didn’t know them very well, I teared up at the sight. Weddings were beautiful.

Even Landon was getting emotional. I caught him sniffling and wiping his eyes while watching the first dance.

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