Page 18 of Shattered

I hadn’t lied when I told her we’d be married by the end of the week if I could swing it. All it took was a trip to the County Clerk’s office to fill out the application, and a brief phone call to one of the judges we worked with on a regular basis. Before I knew it, we had a date and time for our union. The stage was set. Now I just needed my bride to keep her feet nice and toasty. I don’t know what I’d do if she backed out.

My pulse fluttered in nervous anticipation while I watched those three little dots appear on the screen of my iPhone.

Jade: Ready as I’ll ever be. Jett’s hanging at a friend's house after school, so we won’t have to worryabout him.

Me: I’ll pick you up at 3:30. I already cleared it with Waverly to leave early.

Jade: What excuse did you give her?

Me: Proctology exam.

I smiled, waiting for what I knew would be a smart-ass comment in return. Over the last few days, we’d fallen into a sort of comfortable rhythm. Work had fucked with any chance I had of seeing her during the week, but we texted almost constantly. Each time I sensed more and more of her protective shell beginning to crack.

Jade: I hope you stocked up on lube.

Me: Ouch.

Jade: Exactly! Hence the need for KY. In all seriousness, are you sure you want to do this? I can figure out another way.”

Me: Nope. Not happening. Go take a shower to warm up those cold feet. You’ll be Mrs. Banks in less than twelve hours, then we’re having our first official date.

Jade: Grrr. I don’t have cold feet.

Me: Keep growling at me, Angel. I like it. {winky-face emoji}

Jade: Oh my God, you are impossible!

Me: Impossibly hard to resist, you mean.

Jade: {eye roll emoji} You can leave me alone now. Apparently, I’m getting married later.

Me: See you at the altar.

Jade: There is no altar in the judge's chamber.

Me: Oh ye of little faith.

Jade: What did you do?

Me: I guess you’ll have to wait and see.

Jade: Bye, Koen.

I chuckled, clicking the button on the side of my phone to shut down the screen, then turned, nearly crashing into Lanie.

“What are you up to?”

There was more than a hint of suspicion in her tone.Shit!I hated liars and I was about to become one.

“Who, me?” I feigned innocence, putting a hand to my chest.

“Cut the crap, Koen.” She narrowed her hazel eyes. “You’ve been acting weird all morning.”

Lanie was like a dog with a bone. She wouldn’t give up and might very well bite off a few fingers if you tried to take it away, so I decided to give her the truth. At least part of it anyway.

“Jade and I are going out after work.”

“Like on a date?”

---