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Aroha
Behind us, there’s a great cheer, and I turn in surprise to see about a dozen people standing there watching. We laugh, and Alex and Missie stand and join in as everyone claps.
“You may kiss the bride,” Sharon says, smiling.
I look up at James, my heart racing. He gives me a mischievous smile, then bends his head and touches his lips to mine.
Oh shit, that’s it. We’re married!
In a daze, I sign the paperwork. My hand shakes, making it almost impossible to write my signature. It doesn’t help when James places a warm hand in the middle of my back. I know it’s just for show, but heat runs up my spine and pools at the base of my neck. I hadn’t lied when I told him I wasn’t having second thoughts—I don’t regret it for a moment. But I’m more shaken than I thought I’d be. Saying those words… and listening to him say that he takes me to be his legal wife…
I look at the ring on my left hand. It’s wide and heavy, a constant reminder of what we’ve just done. A symbol of our… um…
“Thank you,” James says to Sharon, shaking her hand. “Even though it was short and sweet, I was oddly nervous.”
“Yes, it’s surprising how many people say that,” she replies. “Something about the solemnity of the vows, I think.” She turns to me and smiles. “Congratulations, Aroha.”
“Thank you.” I shake her hand, but my gaze slides to James. He’s now talking to Alex, and I’m glad. I don’t want him to see how flustered I am.
I smile at Missie as she hands me the baby. “I hope this means you’re safe,” I whisper to Leia, walking away a little with Missie.
“You’ve just done a marvelous thing,” Missie murmurs, putting a hand on Leia’s back as she leans forward and kisses my cheek. “Whatever else happens, you’ve been incredibly unselfish, Aroha. I admire that.”
“I got a million dollars out of it,” I remind her. “It wasn’t that unselfish.”
“Come on, this is me you’re talking to. I know you’re going to spend most of the money on your family. You did this for other people, and that’s no small thing.”
As I kiss Leia’s head, my gaze slides across the room to James. Mm. I completely did this for other people. It wasn’t for myself at all…
The guys join us, and Alex leads us out and across the foyer to the bar. “Let’s have a celebratory drink,” he says, “and then we’ll head into the restaurant.” He goes up to the bar. “Can I have a bottle of champagne please?” he asks the bartender.
My eyes widen. “Um… I shouldn’t,” I begin. I never drink when I’m taking care of children.
He waves a hand. “I’m not saying we should get plastered, but you have to have a drink on your wedding day.”
James’s lips curve up as he looks at me. “Let him have his fun,” he says. “We’ll just have the one glass.”
“Okay.” Happy with that, I follow Missie over to a table. She brings Leia’s carry seat, but for now I sit with Leia in my arms and give her a toy to play with.
The guys join us with the champagne, and Alex holds up his glass. “To James and Aroha.”
“Oh shut up,” James says good-naturedly, and we all laugh and sip the champagne. Mmm, it’s lovely. I could get used to this lifestyle.
“By the way,” Alex says, “when we finish dinner…”
Missie sends him a mischievous glance. “Alex…”
His lips twitch. “We wanted to say that if you’d like us to look after Leia tonight, we’re very happy to have her in our room.”
I frown, puzzled. “Why would you want to…” My words trail off as I realize what he’s inferring.
“Alex,” James warns. “Stop meddling.”
“This is purely business,” I scold. “You know that.”
“I know,” Alex protests. “But you want everyone to think it’s for real, right? You’ve gone to all this effort.” He gestures at my dress. “I see he even gave you a pearl necklace.”
I blush scarlet in seconds at the thought of how James might give me the other kind of pearl necklace. James takes one look at my red face and bursts out laughing.
