Page 68 of Rook

Only, it was, wasn’t it?

Maybe, in our minds, it was only a piece of paper, a contract that worked for the two of us for different reasons.

But in the eyes of the law, we would be married.

I pressed a hand to my wobbly stomach and took a few steadying breaths before slipping into my sandals and then making my way out of the bathroom, expecting Rook.

But the apartment was empty.

For just a moment, my worry about his absence overtook my anxiety about the whole ordeal itself.

“Rook?” I called, glancing into the bedroom before making my way to the door and stepping out onto the top landing of the steps.

Then there he was.

Standing on the sidewalk with several of his club brothers.

It was Raff who noticed me first. He pressed one hand to his heart and shot me a soft look before patting Rook’s arm and gesturing toward me.

Feeling weird standing up there, I began my way down as Rook finally turned.

The look he shot me made my breath catch in my chest and my foot falter just above the next step down.

His gaze slid down, then back up, before I remembered to keep walking down.

Raff shoved Rook’s shoulder from behind. “Tell her how beautiful she looks before I do it for you.”

Rook shook his head and stepped forward to where I was standing on the last step, my skirt dancing around my ankles with the light breeze.

“Wow,” he said, shaking his head.

“You’ve seen me in it already,” I reminded him, belly flip-flopping at the awe still in his eyes.

“Not like this,” he said, reaching out to take my hand, his thumb teasing over the stone of my engagement ring as he helped me down the last stair. “You really do look beautiful,” he said, voice low, before leading me over toward his brothers. Still holding my hand.

“Prettiest bride ever,” Raff declared.

“You’re glowing,” Coach said.

“He’s a lucky guy,” Colter added.

My heart didn’t care that this was all for show. It skipped and swelled at the sweetness these men were showing me.

How different from the men I’d known before.

“The guys just wanted to show up and offer their well wishes. And gripes about not being able to come to the picnic,” Rook explained, nodding toward Raff at the last part.

“It sounds delightful,” Raff said, making a surprised laugh escape me.

I’d known a lot of bikers in my life. I’d never heard one use the word ‘delightful’ before. Then again, I’d never met a biker like Raff before, either.

“It really does,” I agreed.

“Yeah, happy for you. Not jealous at all,” Raff said, smushing his face up at me.

“You guys heading out now?” Colter asked.

“Yeah, we gotta get to the courthouse. The photographer wants to take some pictures before it gets busy.”

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