Page 26 of Taking The Shot

“Constance, I know. It was just a joke made in poor taste. I mean, I think you’re pretty, but we both know neither of us is in love. We’re friends and recognize that we’re both getting something out of this arrangement, and hopefully, we find our way to being the best of friends or something more,” he said openly, his voice careful. “Even if you decided to divorce me later on, I would still be grateful and treat you well – and I hope you know that.”

That was probably the weirdest and sweetest conversation to have before marrying someone because she truly believed him. He had been so open and honest with her so far, even sharing things that bared his soul and humiliated him, but he had told her because she’d asked him.

“Thank you,” she murmured, laying a hand on his shoulder. “I appreciate that more than you know – and I promise to treat you the same.”

“I’m grateful,” he began, his eyes holding hers. “Shall we?”

“Yup. Let’s get moving.”

Less than an hour later, because of traffic downtown, they were both standing in front of the magistrate, pledging themselves to each other publicly, and the press was inside the room, taking photos and filming. He warned her in the car, and she had seen his name splashed across the television last night on the news for multiple reasons.

Which did not help her anxiety in the slightest.

Thank goodness Keith had been honest with her, giving her all the details, because it was the thought that he truly believed she would help save him, save his career, his reputation, that helped her put on this ‘show’ today for the media.

“I, Constance, do promise to love, honor, and cherish you, Keith, as my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health and,” she paused, looking at him as she went off script, speaking directly to him, to his soul. “I am so grateful for that first ‘hello,’ for the way you treat my children as your own, that you’ve become my best friend… and I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful soul to share my life with. I am so excited about what the future will bring us as a family, and each day will begin with hope, love, and our commitment to each other. Thank you for choosing me…”

And she meant every word of it, her blue eyes searching his golden-brown ones and seeing how moved he was. This was real to the audience watching, despite how fake it was between them.

“Thank you for accepting me as I am, flawed but trying…”

“Aren’t we all flawed, Keith?” she said softly, touching his cheek – and heard the clicks of the photographers. Yeah, theywere eating this up, and for a brief moment, she could almost imagine this was real.

“Now, by the power vested in me from the state of Texas,” the magistrate began loudly, obviously wanting to be included in the press, too. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Mr. Boucher… and Go Wolverines.”

They looked at each other, chuckling softly, as he slowly gathered her into his arms. To everyone else, it had to appear like a savored moment, but to them, between them, this was an awkward first kiss. His arms slipped around her waist as she rose on her toes toward him and hesitated as the veil was caught between them. Both laughed, the audience laughed, and Keith looked to the side, smiling at the cameras.

“Whoops. I’m a little excited…” he grinned, turning back to her and slowly lifting the veil from her face. Her eyes met his in that moment as time seemed to crawl to a stop between them. His expression melted as his gaze devoured hers, neither of them breathing, both knowing what was coming next. His hands were trembling, and she thought her knees would give out, marveling at the strangely intimate moment they were able to share.

Keith leaned slowly toward her as her lips parted, waiting. She expected some crushing kiss, some macho scene for the cameras, but instead, he dropped the softest kiss against her lips that completely shook her world. He pulled back slightly, only to lean in and kiss her again, just as tenderly as the first time, and she felt his smile against her own, marveling at the person she’d just married.

“Thank you,” he whispered to her, before dropping a third gentle kiss on her lips – and backed away.

The moment gone.

His hand slipped into hers – and he pulled their hands to his chest, holding them over his heart as she looked at him, completely fascinated at this gentle side of him. The clips shehad seen of him on the news showed a brutal hockey player on the ice, but the man beside her was amazingly gentle… and confusing.

She remembered how her kiss with Robert had been. He’d been so happy, so enthusiastic, that he’d dipped her and kissed her boldly, passionately, before both of their families.

She was Keith’s now.

She had two children and knew what would come next. Those thoughts had been part of her consideration regarding marriage – and while she wasn’t in love with him like she had been with Robert, it would not be hard to accept this gorgeous guy into her bed. That was part of the reason she wanted to drop the kids off at school and daycare, so they had time alone, because it had been such a long time for her, and she was afraid of how she would respond when push came to shove.

Keith briefly kissed the back of her hand and leaned forward to whisper to her. “We need to answer a few questions and then we are free to go,” he breathed against her ear – and she nodded, grateful he’d mentioned this in the car. It was all overwhelming, and her heart was racing against her chest.

Married.

She was married to a famous hockey player.

They were moving soon to another country.

Yeah, it was a lot to take in.

“Keith! Keith! A moment…”

“The Bouchers, look this way and smile!”

“Keith!”

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