29. Doomed

Colton

I can't stand still. I keep shifting my weight from one foot to the other, adjusting my tux and bow tie every two seconds. I bow my head low to avoid the gaze of the guests. Max is in the first row with his girlfriend. He hasn't questioned why the wedding is still taking place, and I haven't offered an explanation. Though he probably already knows. I wasn't very subtle in trying to push the deal away.

A light breeze flutters the curtains behind the wedding arch, and I turn to look toward the horizon. It's such a beautiful place. Agnes and Jane did a great job choosing the decorations, and I couldn't think of a better spot to marry Jane. Everything here reminds me of her. The sharp blue of the ocean that matches her eyes. The caress of the breeze, soft like her skin. The pink roses, the same shade as Jane's cheeks when she blushes.

Wade, who I'd nearly forgotten was standing right next to me, slaps me on the back. "Don't worry, mate. She'll show."

"I know that," I growl. Wait, is there a possibility of her not coming? I hadn't thought about that. I've debated skipping out on the ceremony since yesterday, and the mental tug-of-war is still raging inside me. If only I could have told her about the investors before she left . . . Then again, a part of me is relieved I didn't have the chance. Because if I told her the truth, there's a significant risk she'd have called off the wedding, and that's the last thing I want. Which is why I am here. I need to keep this going, pretend that no deal has been signed yet, just like we originally planned. I ruffle my hair, not caring that I spent an eternity styling it to perfection.

Damn it. I never thought I'd be in this position. I can't exactly not tell her—that's not who I am. I, Colton Green, am not a liar or a cheater. But the truth is, ever since I met Jane, I don't even know who I am anymore. Everything I feel or do is out of character. Even this. Going back and forth over a simple decision is new for me. But I have to figure this out fast. Because the clock is ticking.

Jane

"You look beautiful," Marcie says, nodding in approval. "Ready?"

With a deep breath, I look at myself one more time in the mirror. "I am. Let's do this." Everything will be fine. I have a contract, and I need to fulfill it. Whatever happens next doesn't matter. After all, the contract didn't say anything about a guaranteed happy ending. This isn't a romance novel.

When I step out of the bridal suite, Jules and Léon are waiting. Jules is wearing the same pale pink dress as Marcie, and Léon looks dashing in his black tuxedo. He offers his arm, and the warm smile on his face instantly calms my nerves.

"Let's go get you married," he says in a chipper voice.

We walk outside, and the breath drains from my lungs as the backyard of the estate comes into view. When I arrived earlier, it was nowhere near finished, but now, it's magnificent. Exactly like I pictured it. Agnes and Eloise, the lady who owns the estate, did a fantastic job setting all of this up.

Rows of white-painted wooden chairs, fresh blooms tied to the backs, are facing the ocean. And there, beneath the wedding arch, stands Colton, so handsome in his glitzy black tuxedo. His hair looks like it's been tousled by the wind, giving him a beachy vibe. He's sharing some hushed words with Wade who's standing next to him. I'm still hidden behind bushes so no one can see me.

The wedding march begins, and Jules goes first. Then, it's Marcie's turn, and I resist the urge to bolt, clinging tightly to Léon's arm.

"Let's go," Léon whispers.

I try to move, but I can't. It's like my heels are planted in the grass, holding me in place. Wait, my heels are planted in the grass. "I'm stuck," I hiss, casting an anxious glance at Léon. The wedding march continues, but we're struggling to keep my stilettos out of the grass.

Out of breath, I stand up straight and peek through the hedge. Guests are turned in our direction, whispering among themselves as they're probably wondering where the bride is. At the end of the aisle, Colton is rigid as a statue, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the place I should now be walking down.

"Screw this," I say to Léon. "Let's just take my shoes off. Can you get them, please?"

This mermaid dress is gorgeous with its lace bodice bustier and tulle train, but it's not practical to bend over in, since it hugs my waist and thighs way too tightly.

Léon undoes the straps of my heels and helps me take them off.

A few people release a breath of relief when I finally make my appearance, the loudest coming from Agnes. Colton's shoulders sag, but he keeps his eyes locked on me.

I can't look anywhere else, because there's nothing more beautiful than this man who's waiting for me. Nothing I'd rather be doing. Nowhere I'd rather be. Even if this is all for show, I know I'll cherish this memory for the rest of my life.

When we reach the end of the aisle, Léon gives me an encouraging hug. He shakes Colton's hand before taking a seat in the front row.

The officiant steps through the arch, and Colton and I take our places in front of her.

"Are you okay?" Colton whispers.

Nodding, I lift the hem of my dress to reveal my bare feet. "My shoe got stuck in the grass," I murmur with a half smile.

His eyes sparkle with laughter, and his smile widens. "You're breathtaking either way."

My heart booms like a firework in my chest, and I'm surprised the sonic burst hasn't caused a tsunami already. I offer Colton a feeble smile and turn to the officiant, trying my best to concentrate on her words.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in matrimony."

That's it. This is happening. If I had listened to my heart, I wouldn't be here right now. Not because I don't love Colton, but precisely because I do. I would have chosen to safeguard my heart. But my brain is making me stay, making me smile as we listen to the beautiful speech the officiant prepared, making me laugh at the jokes she makes. Ironic how the contract I thought would protect me has done the exact opposite.

"Colton," she says solemnly, and my mouth goes dry. "Do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

His Adam's apple bobs before he opens his mouth. I try to concentrate on that, but his gaze sucks me in. His eyes are intense as ever, seemingly trying to decipher what's going on in my brain. A futile attempt, as I'm not even sure myself. Finally, he utters, "I do."

"Jane," the officiant says, turning to me. "Do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

A cloud falls over Colton's eyes as I take my time to answer. To consider all the implications of these two little words. But there is only one answer. The truth. "I do."

The officiant turns back to Colton, as if what just happened wasn't absolutely massive and didn't require an intermission. "Repeat after me," she says. "I, Colton Green, take you, Jane, to be my wife."

Colton surprises me, taking my hands into his as he repeats after her.

She continues, "To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer."

His gaze remains trained on me as he repeats each word, and I do my best to let them brush past my brain and not imprint. Because as real as it feels, I know it's not.

"In sickness and in health," she continues. "To love and to cherish, till death do us part."

"Now, Jane," she says, and I practically jolt. I didn't even realize he was done. I was so entrapped by the intensity in his eyes, I forgot where we were.

Swallowing hard, I repeat the lines as I would any other script, but with as much detachment as possible. Not easy when you mean every word.

When the last of the sacred promises leave my lips, the officiant turns to Colton. "You may kiss the bride."

I don't have time to prepare. Colton's hand is already caressing my cheek, drawing me closer to him. His deep woodsy cologne mingles with the salty aroma coming off the ocean, and the combination is making me dizzy. His lips brush mine, softly at first, but then more demanding. Mine are just as desperate, forgetting every stupid barrier and rule I set in place. Our tongues become entangled, and I never knew a kiss could be this fantastic. Fireworks could be shooting in the sky for all I know.

When we break apart, our eyes meet for a second. I expect a questioning look on his part, wondering why I broke my own rule, but he just smiles, and his dimples finish me off.

That's it, I'm doomed.