Page 91 of Seale the Deal

He adds the finishing touches—a long veil cascading down my back and a simple gold chain clasped around my neck.

What do you think? he asks.

I love it, I say softly. But I have to look into my finances before I can commit.

Of course. But your friend said you’re on a schedule, so don’t wait too long. He glances at Ruger. Come on, stand next to your bride. Let’s see the full picture.

Remi nudges him forward. He joins me at the mirror and takes my hand in his. Just like the dress, he fits.

I stare at our reflection. We look like two people who belong to each other.

Fresh tears sting my eyes. I blink quickly, smiling through them like they’re tears of joy. Because the truth is, this is exactly how I want to look when I marry Ruger. For so many reasons, I won’t.

Because he’s not really my fiancé. He’s not really going to be my husband. And no matter how good his hand feels in mine, there is no room for real feelings. Not when the only thing real about this is the ache divorce is going to leave behind.

Chapter 17

Ruger

DAYS LEFT ON VISA: 58

I thought seeing Wrenley’s nipples would be the highlight of this trip. They are perfect. Dark, erect, and I want to taste them. If it hadn’t been for the way my cock stiffened on sight, I wouldn’t have said a damn thing. Just sat there and kept enjoying the view. Somehow, today trumped that. When she stepped out in that final dress, I couldn’t look away. No words could do justice to how perfect she looked.

Or maybe there’s one. Mine.

She looked like mine. My wife.

But she’s not. Not really anyway. And no matter how beautiful she looks on our wedding day, that fact won’t change.

Wrenley’s current visa is just the beginning. There’ll be green card paperwork, lawyers’ fees, the cost of the card itself, not to mention simply living in the north, where everything costs just a little bit more. There’s no money for a wedding dress, let alone one that costs half a down payment on a house.

I splash cold water on my face, trying to scrub the image of her in that dress out of my head. It doesn’t work. I can still see how she looked. Still feel how I felt. As I blot my beard dry, there’s a knock on my door. My heart starts picking up its pace. The last time someone knocked on my hotel room door, it was her.

Even though I know better, I hope it’s her again. I open the door, but it’s not Wrenley.

Remi brushes past me like a storm front. We need to talk.

I scan the hallway just in case, but Wrenley’s nowhere in sight.

I sigh and close the door. Okay. Talk.

Remi plants herself in the middle of the room, arms crossed. What’s going on with you?

I blink. Nothing?

She takes a steadying breath. I asked if you’d tell me if anything changed.

I believe you said if it got to be too much, I say, but the look in her eyes tells me she doesn’t want to argue over semantics. Nothing has changed, Remi. I’m still in this one hundred percent.

You’re into Wrenley.

My gut tightens. I school my face before it gives me away. What are you talking about?

Come on, don’t play dumb, Remi says. I saw the way you were looking at her.

I’m screwed, and I know it, because the worry on my sister’s face speaks louder than anything she could ever say.

Please, she says. Don’t do this again. Don’t go after my best friend.