He doesn’t ask for rings or witnesses. Hmm.
Just turns to me. Coldly. “Do you, Dr. Cormac O’Rourke, enter into this marriage of your own free will?”
Free will.I almost laugh. But I don’t. “Yes.”
A million crazy thoughts fly through my head. I woke up this morning feeling hopeless. Now I’ll be going to bed with a wife. The woman I wanted to marry all along.
The officiant’s gaze shifts tomy bride. “Do you, Scarlett Ford?—”
My thumb presses into the inside of her wrist. A pulsepoint to ground her. To claim her.
Her chin lifts, and there’s even a hint of a smile. “Yes. I… I do.”
The officiant gives another short nod. “Then by the authority vested in me by the state of New York, I pronounce you husband and wife.”
Just like that. It’s done.
No music. No extended vows. No kiss the bride. But this is a transaction. One I’m forcing.
“I’ll file the paperwork, Dr. Ford, and get you a copy for your records.” He clicks his pen shut and waltzes out like this is totally normal.
I turn to Scarlett before anyone else says a word. There’s a flicker of something in her eyes. Like that night treating Ava. She’s crashing. “Stay strong, little Ford.”
On a shaky breath, Bradley says, “Scarlett… I’m sorry.”
She glances at her father and then at me. Smiling, she takes my hand. “I’m not, Dad.”
Respecting Bradley, who is still my boss, I place a chaste kiss on Scarlett’s lips. I have to tell her when we get to my apartment that I can’t make this a physical marriage. Not until she knows the truth about who I really am.
Chapter 30
Cormac
In the taxi to Scarlett’s apartment to get her stuff, I ask Scarlett, “You okay?”
She’s staring at her hands. “I don’t have a ring.”
“We need to keep this a secret until the end of the semester. I’ll get us rings for Christmas.” I take that hand and kiss it. “It had to be done this way, Scarlett.”
“I know.” She exhales.
Fuck, I know all about women and weddings. My sister plans them. I’ve seen what women want. But this isn’t a real marriage. I don’t want to put on a show and tell more lies.
“Right here,” Scarlett says, sitting up straight when the taxi turns down a narrow, unkempt block.
We stop at a prewar building with bars on the windows. My anger boils over that Scarlett’s been living here. And at myself for not checking it out before I put my credit card down on this dump.
How can anyone look at my Scarlett and think she belonged in a place like this?
But it made her strong and feel independent. Pierce Langston tried to obliterate that independence. I married her so she’d stay free of him. And finish her education.
Glancing around, I see some familiar faces from Hamilton walking around, and I swear under my breath. These slumlords have a steady supply of student tenants thanks to loans, scholarships, or rich parents.
No need to even update these apartments.
I’m holding Scarlett’s hand as we walk toward the main entrance of the apartment building when she stops abruptly.
“Is that?” Nervous energy pulses off her.