AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 5
Today is the first day of our marriage. We have a ceremony at The Gardens of Central Park, a private venue. After, a reception for seventy-five people is held in their banquet room. I try to be happy, but Foster turned to ice after our kiss a month ago. He barely spoke to me and made himself scarce when it came to our usual lunches at the office.
The only time he shows any affection was when his mother insists that we join his parents for Sunday brunch. He would fawn all over me until we were in private. His icy façade would slip back into place. I ignore him for the most part, but it hurt to be rejected.
When it came time for our first dance, Foster leads me onto the dance floor. It is the performance of my life as we move together, his arm firmly around my waist and my hand tight in his. We smile until our faces hurt, and when the song is over, he helps me back to our table, where he plants a soft kiss on my cheek.
My parents are thrilled I am finally married. I shudder to think what they would say when it ended in eighteen months. Will they think I am a failure?
The only absent guest tonight is Lana. She gave birth a few weeks earlier and was still recovering. She and Zane decided to call the boys Wade and Charles.
“Are you ready to go?” Foster asks after most of our guests depart for the night.
“I guess so.”
He sighs, adjusting his black bowtie. He looks perfect in his black tuxedo. I chose a simple white organza gown with short sleeves, a scoop neck, and open back.
“We can stay if you like.”
“I’m tired. I’m done acting.”
We circulate the room, saying goodbye to our lingering guests. I couldn’t wait to get home and change. This is supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but I am miserable. I wonder if this would ruin me when I had a real wedding. Would I think about what I could’ve had the first time around?
Once more, Foster directs me out to our waiting limo with the ever-present Peters. He holds the door open as I slip inside. Finding a spot, I put my head on the back of the seat and close my eyes.
“Paige?”
I don’t open my eyes when I answer. “What?”
“I’m sorry.”
My jaw tightens with frustration. “For what? Being you?”
“The past month. I didn’t know what to say to you. The kiss…” His voice trails off.
I open my eyes and turn my head to him. “The kiss what?”
“I felt something.”
“Is that so bad?”
“I can’t step over the line. You know what this marriage is.”
“Does it have to be that way?”
Foster narrows his stare. I could barely see the green of his irises. “What do you mean?”
“Can’t we at least be friends?”
“As you can see, I don’t have many friends.”
“What about the people you invited to our wedding?”
“Acquaintances. I don’t have close relationships.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s obvious.”
“Is it?”
