Page 55 of Arranged Addiction

“I’ll be waiting. We’re leaving at eight-fifty. Not a second later.”

“Bossy asshole.”

He disappears upstairs. I stand alone in the kitchen, my body vibrating.

This is happening too fast. I wanted time to prepare myself. I figured I’d go shopping with Sheila, plan some of the ceremony and reception details, and try to make it my own.

Instead, I’m wearing a dress I’ve never seen.

And I won’t have a maid of honor either.

I slump forward. God, Natalie’s dead. She was never going to be at my wedding, whether it’s today or two weeks from now. She’s gone, and I don’t know how I can keep moving.

But it’s not like that’ll stop Declan from getting what he wants.

Boss Bastard doesn’t give a damn about some petty thing like grief.

Frustrated and powerless, I go to the table. The contract is straightforward, and I have no clue if it’s legal or not, but it does stipulate how much money he’ll deposit in my account every month for the rest of my life.

It’s enough that I’ll never have to work again.

I unzip the dress bag once I’ve initialed and signed. I stare at the lace and silk. It’s simple, pretty, and surprisingly elegant. I wouldn’t have chosen it…

As far as dresses go, it’s not bad.

I hate this. I never wanted a courthouse wedding.

But I don’t have a choice, and fighting will only make it worse.

“Bastard,” I murmur as I carry the dress upstairs.

Declan’s mouthopens ever so slightly as I meet him in the front entry. My heels clack over the hardwood. I let him get a good look at the plunging neckline, the tight bodice, and the skirt ending right at my knees. It’s casual but practical, and I’m thankful for that.

“What do you think?”

He looks me toes to nose, and his face softens. “You look beautiful, Casey.”

That’s what I wanted to hear, but it still makes me flush red. “Really?”

“Incredible.” He offers me his arm. “Ready?”

I shrug on a light jacket. It covers most of the dress so I don’t feel like I’m walking around like a bride. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

There are a dozen men waiting outside. I’m startled and a little nervous, but Declan starts barking orders at them. We’re ushered into a black sedan, and an entire convoy of vehicles escorts us through the city.

Declan doesn’t talk on the way over. I have a million things I want to ask him. Like if he ever pictured his wedding day before, and if he did, was it like this? I want to know what song he would’ve played for a first dance, what flavor he would’ve liked for a cake, what his wedding night should’ve been like.

Actually, I might find out about that last one.

We don’t talk, though. Something’s clearly bothering him, and I’m worried it has to do with me. Maybe he regrets our deal. I know I’m not the kind of woman he probably wanted. I’m too messy, too carefree, too disorganized, too emotional. While he’s a strict bastard who’s obsessed with order and reason.

This is never going to work.

Except it has to.

The courthouse isn’t too busy. We’re whisked through security and taken back to the private chambers. I’m surprised to findSheila waiting in the hallway beside Declan’s mother, and a wave of relief washes over me.

“I was afraid I wasn’t going to know anyone here,” I say, hugging her tightly.