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“Are you sure about this?” her father asked softly, holding her eyes. “I know you feel bad for him. So do I. But you still don’t have to do this.”

“I know I don’t. I want to. I’m sure, Dad. I’m sure.”

He nodded and then kissed her on the cheek, clearly resolving the issue in his mind. He was a kind, practical man. He didn’t want her to make this decision, but he wasn’t going to stand in her way.

The music shifted into a familiar swell, which was the sign for her father to open the door to the sanctuary.

She took his arm, and they walked down the aisle together.

The first thing she saw was Jude standing at the end of the aisle. He wore a black suit, a pale blue tie, and the forget-me-not boutonniere on his lapel. His hair was pulled back neatly, his beard newly trimmed.

He was handsome and sober and perfectly still, never looking away from her as she advanced.

Eve really couldn’t believe she was about to marry him.

They had no attendants, so the only other person at the front was Father Paul.

She’d met the priest yesterday. He’d taken the instruction seriously, and she’d had several difficult moments figuring out how to answer questions in a way that was honest enough to pass but didn’t give away the full reason she was marrying Jude. Afterward, he’d asked her about her family and about her background in the church and about her spiritual life, and then he’d seemed very interested in her dissertation, so they’d talked for a long time about that. Eve had really liked him and was relieved he hadn’t been concerned that she wasn’t a Catholic like Jude.

On one side of the sanctuary, Jude’s father sat on a pew next to Nancy and her husband. On the other side was Eve’s cousin and his wife, her only local extended family members that sheactually liked. Her father’s older brother was an asshole, but she’d always been close to his son, Lance. She also really liked his confident, witty wife, Savannah, who was a professional photographer and had agreed to take some photos after the ceremony. Savannah was smiling, and Lance gave her an almost imperceptible wink.

That was it. That was the entire guest list at their wedding.

When she reached the front, her father kissed her cheek again and then went to sit in the pew beside Lance and Savannah.

The priest began with a brief welcome and prayer. Eve was still shuddering inside. She darted a quick look up at Jude. He was still watching her fixedly.

She really couldn’t tell if he was happy to be doing this or not.

But it was his idea, and he hadn’t changed his mind. Surely he must still want it.

She wondered if he thought she looked pretty.

He was wearing the tie bar she’d given him. She did notice that.

The ceremony lasted less than fifteen minutes since they’d chosen to not include a mass. They went through the readings and questions and then said their vows and exchanged rings.

Finally Jude leaned down to kiss her—just a soft press against her lips with his. And it was done.

They were husband and wife.

Eve’s new room at the Gregory house was comfortable, spacious, and tastefully decorated with classic walnut furniture and peaceful blues and grays. It was in the opposite wing of the house from Mr. Gregory’s personal rooms, and it adjoinedJude’s larger suite. A lot of the mansions in Green Valley were designed with connected rooms like that so couples could sleep separately if they wanted.

It was a good setup as far as Eve was concerned. She appreciated having her own room, but it would be inconvenient to be across the house from Jude with most of the other guest rooms. It would also look odd for a newly married couple.

Later that same evening, she stood brushing her hair in front of the big framed mirror in her private bathroom. She wondered if Jude was expecting her to knock on the door connecting their rooms.

They hadn’t talked about sex. She’d thought about bringing it up multiple times, but every time she chickened out.

They were married. They were adults. He only had a few months left of his life.

Even if he wasn’t particularly attracted to her, surely he’d want to have sex if it was offered. Wouldn’t he?

Earlier today, she’d settled on a plan to wait until their wedding night and then simply ask him. Make it clear there was no pressure either way, but she was willing if he was too.

She wanted to be a real wife to him. A good wife. He was a good-looking man, and she already felt closer to him than she’d been even last week. They didn’t have to be in love to enjoy sex. In fact, she was already kind of excited from the anticipation.

But she was also self-conscious. Nervous. She’d taken down her fancy hairdo because the pins were poking at her head, and she continued brushing her hair long after it was shiny and untangled. She’d kept her hair out of the water when she’d showered a little while ago, and now she was wearing a new nightgown she’d bought specifically for tonight.

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