Page 49 of Vengeful Union

I swallow hard as I repeat what the priest says, barely even listening and understanding the words. Rory repeats them, too, and when the time comes for the question of the day, we both say, “I do.”

Then we exchange the rings, and they both fit perfectly. I love the way the rubies reflect in the sunlight. It’s nearing dusk, and it’s lovely outside.

This would be so perfect if it was real. If I was really in love. If he really cared about me. If I wasn’t here against my will.

It’s nearly bittersweet.

When Rory leans down to kiss me, it’s not out of frustration and anger like our first kiss. It’s not rough and sloppy, but instead deliberate, his tongue sweeping across my lips. It’s like a real kiss, and it makes my head feel light on my shoulders.

Rory takes my hand, and we run down the aisle, getting pelted with birdseed.

We stop in our tracks, and I’m giggling madly, glad to be away from Niall and with Rory, who I sort of trust.

We walk around to the back of the estate where catering is set up. My stomach growls. I haven’t been able to eat all day, even though Kristina offered me breakfast and lunch. My stomach has just been in knots.

I make a beeline to the crab cakes, and Raquel is standing near them with a plate in one hand and a champagne flute in the other.

“Oh, champagne,” I breathe. “I almost forgot about champagne.”

“It’s really the only reason to go to a wedding,” Raquel drawls, and I look at her curiously.

“Have you ever been married?”

Her face shutters. “Once.”

She clearly doesn’t want to talk about it, so I don’t push.

“Wouldn’t let anyone tie me down or hold me back, now,” she says proudly, and I smile, putting a hand on her shoulder while I devour a crab cake.

“Don't ever change, Raquel.”

“Wouldn't dream of it."

I eat my fill of the catered appetizers, and then I head out to the dance floor, where I end up dancing with Rory’s second cousin twice removed.

He swings me around the dance floor and after two glasses of champagne, my head spins just slightly. But it feels good to let loose, to not be full of anxiety all the time.

I giggle as he spins me around, and then I’m looking up at Rory, who taps on his cousin’s shoulder.

“May I cut in?”

His cousin backs away with a smile and a bow, and I wrap my arms around Rory’s neck.

“What, are you jealous?” I tease.

He scoffs. “Of Terry? No way. Kid used to wet his bed up until he was thirteen.”

I can’t help but bark out a laugh. “That’s mean.”

He shrugs. “It’s true. Besides, you’re my fake wife,” he whispers. “Not Terrance’s.”

I smile, wondering idly if he’s flirting with me. I’m flirting with him, at least a little bit. Maybe it’s the champagne or the fact that he’s the only person I can potentially trust at this whole event. Maybe it’s because I've been away from my loved ones. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been on a real date in nearly a year.

But Rory’s eyes are looking more and more inviting, his generous mouth...

I’m so focused on Rory’s mouth that I barely hear the deep voice behind me.

“My turn.”

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