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Rome’s voice, on the other hand, was strong and clear. “I do.”
When the judge pronounced them man and wife, she didn’t say “You may kiss the bride.” But Rome did anyway. It was nothing like the kiss he had given her in the Hellhole’s parking lot. She didn’t feel like she’d been sucked into the center of the sun and was burning from the inside out. This kiss was brief, just a slight brush of lips. Still, it left her feeling dazed. Or maybe she was dazed about the entire situation.
She was married.
To Rome Remington.
If someone had asked her the least likely person she’d marry, Rome’s name would have been on the list. In the elevator, she stood next to Rome and stared at their reflections in the metal doors. They looked like the odd couple they were. Tall, handsome husband and his dowdy, dazed-looking wife.
After leaving the courthouse, Rome asked about a good place to get lunch. Even though she wasn’t hungry, Cloe suggested her favorite coffee shop that served the best paninis. Unfortunately, she didn’t even think about it being Brandon’s favorite place too. Rome had just brought their order to the table when Brandon walked in the door with Sabrina Hayes, a third-grade teacher who worked at the same school as Cloe and Brandon. They were holding hands and laughing as they brushed ice off each other’s coats.
Cloe just froze. She couldn’t look away. She couldn’t dive under the table. She couldn’t do anything but sit there feeling like she’d just been slapped hard in the face.
“Cloe?” Rome said. “What’s wrong?” He turned to follow her gaze and must have put two and two together. When he turned back around, his eyes held concern and compassion. “Is that Brandon?”
She nodded and was finally able to pull her gaze away. “I want to go.”
He didn’t argue or mention their untouched sandwiches. He just pushed back his chair and pulled on his coat before helping her on with hers. She clung tightly to his arm and kept her head down, hoping they could get out the door without being seen.
That wasn’t the case.
“Cloe?”
It was Sabrina who had spoken. Cloe wanted to ignore her and keep walking, but Rome stopped, forcing her to stop too.
Sabrina stood with Brandon at the order counter. Brandon must not have seen Cloe until that moment because he looked stunned . . . and then embarrassed. He quickly released Sabrina’s hand and stepped away.
“Uhh . . . Cloe. What are you doing here? I thought you were in Wilder with your family.”
It took every speech technique she’d ever learned to hide the turmoil inside her and speak normally. “I just came into town for the day. What are you doing here on a school day?”
“School was closed because of the bad weather.” Brandon glanced at Rome and Rome held out a hand.
“Rome Remington. Cloe’s husband.”
Cloe cringed as Brandon’s eyes widened. “Husband?” He looked at her for verification. As she struggled to find words, Rome sent her a teasing smile.
“You didn’t tell your friends about us gettin’ married, honey?” He looked back at Brandon. “We’ve known each other since grade school. Of course, life takes you down different paths. I went to one college and she went to another. But when she showed up in town a couple months ago, all I can say is that the sparks flew.” He winked. “If you know what I mean.”
Brandon stared at Rome in stunned horror before he turned to Cloe. “A couple months ago? We were still living together a couple months ago.”
Rome playfully socked him in the arm. Although from Brandon’s cringe it wasn’t so playfully. “Sorry, dude, but love just happens.”
Brandon rubbed his arm and looked back at Cloe with accusation in his eyes. “Well, it’s a good thing I figured out you weren’t the right woman for me.”
His words jolted Cloe out of the hurt she’d been feeling and anger sizzled through her veins. “Hallie was right all along,” she said. “You are a selfish, arrogant asshole.” She looked at Rome. “Can you wait one second, honey. I’m going to get a to-go box. I think I’m hungry after all.”
She was still seething when they were back in Rome’s truck. “The absolute gall of the man! He condemned me when he was obviously the one who has been fooling around behind my back with Sabrina Hayes. And I should have known. I can’t tell you how many times I caught them giggling in the teachers’ lounge, but like an idiot I just stuck my head in the sand and convinced myself that Brandon would never cheat on me. How wrong I was!”
“Maybe he didn’t cheat while you were dating.”
She turned on him. “Don’t you dare defend him! He cheated all right. If not physically, mentally.”
Rome held up his hands. “Hey, don’t yell at me. I’m just an innocent bystander.”
“Who told him we were married.”
“We are.” He grinned as he started the truck. “And did you see the look on his face? I swear his jaw dropped clean down to his chest.”
