Page 32 of After the Vows

“Ready!”

I try to walk to the door but Sophia clings to me and refuses to budge.

“Sophia,” I grumble. “Don’t ruin my wedding.”

This is the only one I’m getting. I’m going to enjoy it no matter how fake it is. I’m walking down the aisle to the sexiest man on the island, eating cake, and dancing the night away and no one can stop me.

“Promise me one thing.”

I sigh. “What?”

“Promise me you’ll give this a chance. A real chance.”

A real chance? This isn’t real.

But what if it was? My stomach tingles in anticipation. What if Lucas did love me and want to marry me for me?

I force those fantasies away. Lucas needs me to keep custody of Natalia. This is a business arrangement. Nothing more. Nothing less.

“This marriage isn’t real. There isn’t anything I need to give a chance to.”

“I bet she gets Lucas to fall in love with her. Who’s with me?” Nova asks.

Maya raises her hand. “I vote for love.”

“I would never bet against Chloe,” Paisley says.

Warmth spreads through me. My friends have their doubts about my decision to marry Lucas but they’re standing behind me anyway. They’ll support me no matter what happens. No matter if he breaks my heart.

Breaks my heart? What a strange thought. Lucas can’t break my heart because my heart is not available to him.

The only people my heart has let in are standing in this room with me.

“Please say you’re okay with this,” I plead with Sophia.

She squeezes my hand. “I support you, my wild child. Whatever you do. I’m right there behind you.”

My heart fills with love for my closest friend. If I’m honest, my eyes are feeling a bit itchy as well. I sniff to stop any tears from falling.

“Good. Because we’re doing shots and dancing all night long.” I march toward the door. “Let’s do this.”

Despite myself, I’m excited to see my sexy neighbor all dressed up to marry me.

Chapter 12

Speechless – what happens when you watch the woman you’re trying to resist walk down the aisle toward you in a wedding dress

Lucas

“You sure about this?” Weston asks.

“A little late to ask now.” I motion to the people gathered in front of us waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin.

We’re on a private beach at theHideaway Haven Resort.Rows of chairs are set up in front of where we stand under an arch draped with tulle and decorated with white roses. Along the aisle are lanterns fashioned out of old moonshine bottles. The white chairs are wrapped in pink tulle with images of mermaids on them.

I’m a man but even I can tell this is romantic as hell. I wouldn’t have expected this set up to be Chloe’s choice but whenI told her I wanted to have an actual wedding, this is what she came up with.

I gave in. Of course, I did. Chloe’s marrying me to protect my daughter. I’ll give her whatever she wants.

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