Page 197 of One of Those Amnesia Stories

I pressed my hand to my pocket, felt the edge of the paper against my palm, and walked toward the elevator without knowing what I was going to do with it.

Chapter 32

“If Liam doesn’t come in the next ten minutes,” Alessia said, her eyes fixed on the courthouse door like she could will it open, “if he forgot what today is—I am going to kill him.”

Naija and Felicity stood off to the side, exchanging the kind of looks that meant they were enjoying this far too much.

I placed one hand on her shoulder and the other gently on her chin, turning her face toward mine. “Relax. He said he’d be here in a few minutes.” A smile tugged at my lips—she was doing that thing where her jaw tightened and her eyes narrowed, and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. “Let’s not think about how to murder him just yet.”

Her eyes narrowed further. “Six more minutes. Then I start planning.”

I glanced around. “We’re standing in a courthouse.”

“And?” Her eyebrows lifted. “Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

My hand dropped to her waist, fingers spreading against the soft pink fabric of her dress. She looked so beautiful it stopped my breath every time I looked at her.

“It means,” I murmured, pulling her a step closer, “we should probably whisper the plans.”

Her lips twitched. I saw her fight it, saw her try to hold onto the irritation, and watched it crumble in real time.

“And besides,” I continued, my thumb tracing a small circle against her waist, “this is just a piece of paper. We’re already married in our minds.”

“Yeah, well, I need the paper.” Her voice was serious, but her eyes were dancing. “How else am I supposed to get all your money when you die?”

I laughed. “You already have more money than me.”

Her smile broke free, finally. “And I’ll have so much more. So.” She patted my chest. “When are you planning to die, exactly?”

My head fell to her shoulder, her laughter humming through her chest, vibrating into mine. “I can’t believe I’m marrying my bully.”

She chuckled, her fingers lacing behind my neck. “Last chance, Sterling.” Her fingers pressed lightly against my skin. “After today, we’re legally married. Bound for life. This is your moment if you want to run.”

I turned my head, my lips brushing her ear. “I’d rather eat a cockroach than be anywhere but here.”

She pulled back, her face scrunching in disgust. “Ew. Why would you say cockroach on our wedding day? Now that’s all I’m going to remember when I think of this moment.”

I raised my eyebrows. “I hope that’s not all you remember.”

She gave me a look—the one that said you’re pushing it, Sterling. “Are you really trying to steer this conversation somewhere sexual after saying the word cockroach?”

“I was steering it somewhere romantic.” I let my voice drop. “But I like how you think.”

The corners of her lips twitched. She took a step forward, her mouth opening to say something I very much wanted to hear—

“Sorry I’m late.”

Liam appeared beside us, slightly out of breath, a bouquet of white roses clutched in his hand. He held it up like a trophy. “This took some time.”

Alessia’s eyes dropped to the flowers, then back to his face. “Why did you bring a bouquet? No one’s going to catch it.” She glanced over at Naija and Felicity. They both shook their heads.

Liam’s jaw dropped. “What do you mean no one’s going to catch it? What am I here for, then?” He thrust the bouquet into Alessia’s hands, ignoring her open confusion. “You throw it. Correctly. I want to be married by the end of the year.” He clapped me on the shoulder, grinned at both of us, and strode off to where the others were waiting.

Alessia stared down at the roses. Then up at me. “Do you have to keep being friends with him? I’m sure Naija can find you better ones. We’ll all just have to work hard together.”

I laughed, pulling her closer, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. I let my lips linger there for a moment, breathing her in.

“Let’s get married,” I whispered against her skin.