Page 75 of Stick Work

He signs the paper—deeming the document completely useless. Weirdly enough, my stomach tightens in a way I hadn’t expected. Which is ridiculous. I was going to throw the paper away the minute I got home anyway.

Elias signs next and hands me the pen. I lean over to sign, and my hand shakes a bit as I press the pen to paper.

“Now it’s really invalid,” Elias whispers, low enough for only me to hear. “No getting drunk and accidently getting married.”

I force a smile. “Nope.” I turn to Grandma, needing something, anything, to pull me out of this weird lingering haze. “Can you step back, please?”

Her brow pulls together, concern flickering over her face. She places a hand over her heart. “Dear, are you upset with me?”

Oh no. No, no, no. My throat tightens. The last thing I want is for her to think that. I pull her into a hug. “Oh, shoot no. I’m not upset. I could never be upset with you.” I shake the flowers in my hand, forcing a playful grin. “It’s just that someone needs to catch these.”

A happy squeal catches in her throat, and from beside me, Elias gives my arm a small, thankful squeeze. Only problem is, it’s not just my arm I feel his hand wrapped around. Nope, it’s my heart, and this crazy fake wedding has left me feeling completely off-kilter.

Grandma hurries back, positioning herself near the door like she’s about to make a quick exit. I step closer, because let’s be honest, I am not known for my throwing skills. I was always picked last for basketball and softball.

Turning my back to her, I toss the bouquet and her little squeal fills the room. I spin, just in time to see her catch the flowers, and when she does, she holds them up like a prized trophy and darts out the door. What the heck?

“Elias,” I call out, and he comes running over. “Why did she run?”

“Do I ever know why Grandma does what Grandma does?”

I laugh. “I guess not. Do you think she ‘borrowed’ them and has to return them before anyone notices?”

He groans. “Oh, God, I hope not.”

“Maybe she’s on a hunt for a man, so Rip can marry her next.”

“Jesus.”

“Shoot, I forgot to give the ring back.” I tug on it, but it doesn’t budge. “We can’t cut this one off.”

We hurry to the lobby, scanning for signs of Grandma, and Elias shakes his head. “How is she so fast?”

I grin. “Ninja Nana,” I say.

“We better go find her before she gets into trouble.”

I agree, but I know the only one in trouble tonight is…me.

22

Elias

After we found Grandma in her room last night—acting like she hadn’t just bolted after catching the bouquet—Taylor and I returned to our suite. And then we spent the night worshipping each other’s bodies, consummating our marriage in ways that didn’t just feel just physical.

She was right. There was something magical about it, despite the fact that it wasn’t real. Every touch had meaning. Every kiss held weight. And the ring on her finger, still snug against her skin, carried an intimacy I hadn’t expected. More than once, I let myself pretend. Pretend it was real. Pretend she was mine in every way, for always. Dangerous thinking, I know. But the truth is, I love this woman. And that’s troublesome in so many ways.

Now, morning light spills through the blinds, casting soft golden streaks over tangled sheets and warm, bare skin. I’m in no hurry to move, my body spent, but perfectly content. But the second Taylor opens her eyes, she’s going to need coffee. I roll over and quietly call room service. When I hang up, I turn back and find her watching me, a sleepy, small smile playing on her lips.

“Good morning, wife,” I tease, my voice rough from sleep, or lack thereof. For the briefest second, her smile falters. I almost apologize, almost tell her I’m kidding, but then her hand slides over my chest, settling right over my heart.

“Good morning, husband.”

Jesus. That has such a good ring to it.

She chuckles and glances down at her hand, twisting the ring around her finger. “I guess as long as I have this on, we’re still hitched, huh?”

Last night, we managed to break apart the cheap plastic ring. But Grandma’s isn’t coming off anytime soon. She frowns, tugging at it. “I thought by this morning the swelling would be down, but nope.” She shifts, kicking at the blankets. “We even had the air conditioning on full blast.” A sigh escapes her lips as she runs a hand over her face. “I feel like I’m swollen everywhere.”

---