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The single women line up, and she tosses her bouquet over her shoulder. It’s always been my understanding that a second bouquet is used, so the bride may keep her original one as a memento, but the one Jaclyn is tossing is from the ceremony.
It isn’t until I’m on one knee in front of her to retrieve the garter that I’m able to ask, “Didn’t you want to keep it?”
“The bouquet? No. She’ll enjoy it more than I will,” she replies softly. “I love roses, but hate lavender… and red. Thankfully, I talked them out of red.”
I nod at the curious admission, wondering if my family is one of ‘them,’ as my fingers carefully slide up her smooth leg in search of the pointless fabric. Her breath hitches when I reach her thigh. “I’m so sorry,” I quietly apologize. I’m not, but need to behave myself as I tug it down quickly; I’d hate for her to be any more uncomfortable than she already is. The tradition is incredibly awkward—who wants their wife’s garter in the hands of another man?Flinging it into the crowd of eligible bachelors, cheers erupt when a fellow senator catches it.
For the rest of the evening, Jaclyn and I visit with guests, never speaking with anyone long enough to raise suspicion that I’m not my brother. We share one last dance,and I feel a bit like Cinderella with the clock striking midnight—this will be the last time I’ll have her in my arms. Tomorrow, we’ll part ways, and there’s a fair chance we’ll never speak again after tonight. The realization stings more than I ever thought possible.
Our song ends and I can’t resist pressing a single kiss to her temple. Her small hum is a punch in the gut. It’ll be the last time I hear it…
The last time I kiss her…
I bring my lips next to her ear, keeping my voice low. “When we leave, be careful to not call me Alex, and don’t mention the accident. You never know who might be listening in or who we can trust. Even his own doctors. We’ll get changed here and drive straight to him.”
Jaclyn takes a deep breath and pulls back, searching my eyes for a moment before sighing, “Okay.”
“For what it’s worth, he doesn’t deserve you, princess,” I admit, as much as I shouldn’t.
And in no lifetime would I deserve you, either.
Chapter 8
Jaclyn
My father suggested Alex take me to the hospital, instead of a hired driver.“The fewer people who know about this, the better.”
The ride is quiet as Alex white-knuckles the steering wheel, his jaw tight as he continuously checks the rearview mirror. He saved my reputation today, but he’s so on edge that I’m afraid to even properly thank him. If he’s anything like Chris, I don’t dare say anything, out of fear of upsetting him further.
Pulling up to a high-rise hotel in Alexandria, I can't handle the silence a moment longer, and tread carefully. “Is this where Chris is staying?”
“No, we had a tail.” His tone is clipped, unlike the rest of the evening. “I’m going to get us a couple of rooms for the night. We might be able to sneak out in a few hours.” Thewedding was for show, and I shouldn’t read anything into his kind gestures. I have whiplash from the change.
I sigh, though it comes out more like a grouchy whine. “One room.”
“What?” he snaps, finally looking at me.
Hoping to defuse the situation, I keep my tone sweet and quiet. “One room. It’ll look suspicious if we get two. We didn’t come this far to slip up with a simple mistake.”
Alex’s shoulders tense, and before he can fight me on this, the valet opens my door. He gets out and hands the key to the valet with a tip and asks, “Could you have someone run our luggage up to the room?”
“Of course, sir. What name is the reservation under?”
Alex looks to me and stammers, “N-no reservation… but the room will be under the last name Taylor.”
I frown at Alex as the man nods and begins retrieving our luggage. Sliding my hand into Alex’s for show, he lets out an annoyed groan. I never expected him to enjoy the charade, but it’s still a blow to my ego that it pains him to hold my hand.
So much for being friends…
Once inside, he leans in to whisper, “I only havemywallet, we’ll have to use your card.”
It takes me a second, and he’s right; how could I be so stupid? If we use his, we’ll leave a paper trail blowing our cover—or worse, someone could think I’m cheating withAlex on my wedding night. I squeeze his hand and reply, “I’ll take care of it.”
Alex keeps his voice quiet. “I’ll find a way to repay you.”
“No, it’s okay. But, thank you.”
A sweet smile pulls at his lips for a brief moment. And in that split second, I see the man who has been nothing but kind to me the entire day. Doesn’t he see that the least I can do is pay for somewhere to stay for a few hours? Alex doesn’t need to pay me back, money is no object; he has to know that. My heart, on the other hand, is aching for the small connection I thought we had at the wedding.
