Page 86 of Married to Lies

“Will you walk me down the aisle?”

His mouth opened and closed. Finally, his voice was rough with emotion as he said, “I’d be honored.”

He got out of the car and opened the door for me. Once I was out, he extended his elbow for me to hold on to. He smelled like the limo’s leather interior and the hard caramel candies he always sucked on. The scents were comforting in a way that felt like home.

We stepped closer to the curtain separating us from the guests, and I thought of all the ways George had been there for me.

Bringing me food when he knew I forgot to eat.

Worrying over the hours I worked.

Giving advice when I needed it or sharing stories of him and his wife in conversation.

All this time I’d been so focused on what was lacking in my family, I hadn’t appreciated all the people who’d been there for me.

“I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you, George, for everything.”

He leaned his cheek to the top of my head. “It’s been a privilege.”

Elsie approached in black pants, a matching turtleneck and dark-gray blazer, asking, “Are you ready?”

I nodded.

“Wait for the music to change and then walk through.” She swept away, murmuring something into a mouthpiece hanging from her ear.

Soon, the music switched from soft instrumentals to a refreshed version of the wedding march. My heart leapt into my throat as the curtains parted, and I saw Quentin standing at the end of the aisle.

38 Quentin

As soon as I saw Rei in her wedding dress, my world shifted on its axis.

Her gaze locked on mine, held firm as she took her first steps toward me. Toward our future. Smoky, shimmery makeup accented her eyes, and soft pink blush contoured her cheeks. Dark-red lipstick begged me to kiss her lips.

Loose tendrils fell around her face while the rest of her hair had been drawn up from her neck with the clip I’d given her. Silver jewelry dripped down her neck, pleading my gaze to travel down her curves to the large bouquet of greens and white flowers in her hands.

Since laying eyes on her that first day and feeling that connection, the magnetic draw tugging me toward her, I never imagined that we’d be here. Starting the new year as husband and wife.

I tried to read her expression, to see if this felt as surreal to her as it did to me, but she was just steps from the altar, a man I didn’t recognize beside her. But I knew it wasn’t her father. Elsie had informed me just before my parents walked me down the aisle that her parents had RSVP’d no.

They reached the end of the short aisle, and for the first time since the curtains parted, her eyes flicked away from mine. She hugged the man tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered just loud enough for me to hear. Her voice sounded small and yet full of emotion.

“I’m happy to be here for you, sweet girl,” he replied, squeezing her back. Then, when she walked toward me, he simply said, “Take care of her.”

“I will,” I promised.

He nodded and turned toward the seats where a small group of people watched.

My parents were there, Dad’s arm wrapped around Mom’s shoulder, along with my co-founders. Those four men had been through everything with me. Jada’s grandma was there too, sitting beside Bryce with baby Twyla in her arms.

These were our people.

To the outside world, it would be described as an “intimate” ceremony, reserved for family and close friends only. To us, it was one step closer to making MyHome ours forever.

Battles were sure to come.

But it was hard to think of battles with Rei standing across from me and the officiant saying, “Please join hands.”

I looked down at her hands, now free of the bouquet, as it had been passed to Jada standing behind her. A silver bangle adorned her wrist. Her nails were elongated for the first time, almond shaped and painted white at the tips. The thought of those nails digging into my back turned me on more than it should have with everyone gathered around.