“It’s nice; almost like we’re married.” I watched her expression, which surprised me. She wasn’t put off by the thought – and in fact, she seemed more than pleased.
“Have you ever been engaged?” She took a sip of her coffee and lounged back against the soft cushion.
I could answer that question honestly: she and I hadn’t been engaged. In fact, our marriage was such a whim that there was not even a courtship. “Nope. I’ve never been engaged. I’ve thought about it, but it never felt right. What about you?” She was following in line right where I wanted her to. I’d ease her into it, and hopefully she wouldn’t freak out on me.
“No. I’ve never had a boyfriend other than in high school.” Her cheeks were red now and the color suited her well, but I couldn’t believe what I heard.
“You’re kidding. How does a gorgeous woman like you not ever have a relationship?”
It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t have been because no one was interested, and I wondered if perhaps her overprotective father had anything to do with it. Maybe he was the kind of man that liked to run everyone off. If that were true, I’d have my work cut out for me, especially when he learned of the marriage.
“No. I used to be a big nerd in high school. It took me a while to grow into my big teeth and to fill out in the right places.” That was hard to believe, too, considering her right places were just right.
“I think you look perfect.”
She brushed her hair back from her face and gripped her coffee cup in both hands. “You’re making my cheeks hurt from smiling.” She didn’t seem to be too comfortable with compliments, and I hadn’t ever seen this side of her. Her smile was ear to ear, though, and she looked gorgeous with the extra color in her cheeks and lips. Her eyes even brightened when she smiled.
“It suits you.”
“Thanks.” She sipped from the mug before tilting her head back stare at the ceiling. “I did plan my wedding, though. My mom and I used to talk about it before she passed away. I always dreamed of my dad walking me down the aisle, and now that he’s a pastor, I’d like for him to perform the ceremony. I remember back when I was little, I wanted everything to be pink and blue, and I wanted to arrive on the back of a unicorn.”
“Tall order.” I laughed, imagining her on the back of the magical beast.
“Yeah, I know. It’s changed over the years to omit mythological creatures, but I do hope that someday I can have a gorgeous wedding with all of the traditions. I guess I’m old-fashioned that way.”
I felt like shit. Here she was going on about her wedding, and little did she know she’d already had one – and it was probably nothing like anything she’d have ever wanted.
“What would you think about a Vegas wedding?” Her eyes narrowed, and she got quiet. For a moment, I thought that I’d sparked a memory, but then she shrugged and curled her lip in disgust.
“No, that’s not my style. I mean, I guess it’s okay for some people, but I find it a bit tacky. I mean, it’s your wedding day, which is like the most important day ever. I think it should be more special.”
“I know a few people who have tied the knot here. They were hardly tacky.” My parents had married in Vegas, and while that didn’t last forever, we’d been a happy family all through my youth.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. Again, it’s something I’d never do. To each his own, I suppose.” She made a face that was clearly laced with distaste.
“I can understand if you don’t prefer it, but to act as though you’re too good for it, I can’t help but find that a bit judgmental.” I opened up the briefcase and thumbed through the stack of papers where I’d placed our marriage license. Locating it, I slipped it out and placed it on the table between us.
“Luna, when I said we needed to talk today, I meant that I had something to tell you. I’m hoping that you meant what you said last night.”
“I hope it’s something that can help. I mean, I hope it isn’t anything terrible, but I want it to help your case. It’s not something terrible is it?” She searched my face as if trying to gauge if the information was good or bad.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you about this, but I didn’t know how or when, and I guess I kept hoping you’d remember or the police would say something, but I can’t let you go on not knowing.”
“You didn’t do it, did you?” She placed her hand on her throat and then as her chest rose and fell in panic, I shook my head.
“God, no. Read this.” I pushed the paper closer and she looked down, her eyes widening as the words on the page registered.
She covered her mouth as her eyes widened and darted to mine. “You’re not serious. This is a joke.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Are you kidding me? This is what we went to the chapel for? That’s what the detective said, that we went to a chapel. I figured we went to check it out, not get married. How did this happen? How could you keep this from me?” She wrapped her arms around her waist, as if holding herself together.
I waited to make sure her rant was over before I held up a hand defensively. “Like you said last night, this isn’t only my fault, and we made this decision together. You wanted it as much as I did.”
“And how much was that? We were drunk, and obviously you were just as bad off as I was if you went through with this.” Tears were welling up in her eyes as she shook her head, like doing so would make it all be a lie.
“I might have been drunk, and I might not want this marriage in hindsight as much as I did at the time, but I do remember why we got married and I do remember wanting it. I hoped your feelings were as genuine, but I have to admit the fact that you forgot all about it did leave me some hope of having the whole thing annulled quickly.”