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For a brief second, I wish this marriage was real with real feelings. I can almost imagine what I’d have to look forward to tonight when he—

Nope. Don’t go there, Hazel.

We’re marrying for money, not love or lust …remember?

“You must be Gage,” my mother says, breaking the awkward silence as I stand there, gawking.

Gage blinks a few times before coming back to the present himself, turning to face my mom and reaching out to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Sheppard.”

“Oh please. Call me Catherine.” She swats his hand away and pulls him in for a hug. His eyes widen with a flash of panic. I fold in my lips to hide my smile because seeing him this uncomfortable pleases me a little too much.

When they part, my mother pats his tie and shirt, returning him to his unruffled state. “How are you feeling?”

“Uh…”

“My mom knows everything,” I say, saving him from whatever fake sentiment he was about to conjure up.

“Oh.” His shoulders relax. “Well, this is uh…” He rubs the back of his neck. “It’s a lot to process.”

“I’m sure you two have a lot of feelings about all this,” Mom says, “but I believe Diane’s heart was in the right place. Though I am worried about how it will affect you two when this is all said and done.”

“So you knew nothing about this?” Gage asks my mom.

“Oh, heavens, no.” She glances at me for a second before returning her attention to Gage. “But I trust my daughter, and I know this money could change both of your lives. If she feels this is what she should do, and you agree, then you have my support.”

Gage swallows hard. “She’s lucky for that.”

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Mom lowers her voice. “You’re a part of our family now, Gage. Don’t be afraid to ask for anything if you need it, okay?”

My soon-to-be-husband glances away from her and right at me, like the reality of us being married is finally hitting him.

“You look like you’re about to pass out,” I tell him.

He shakes his head and looks back at my mom. “Thank you.”

Her motherly smile offers him comfort. “My pleasure, Gage.”

“Hazel Sheppard and Gage Kingston!” Judge Carlson calls out from the front of the room, beckoning us forward.

Adrenaline races through me as I take one step forward, but my mom tugs me back. “Wait. They’re going to play the wedding music so I can walk you down the aisle.”

Gage, already near the judge’s bench, turns when he realizes I haven’t followed. “Hazel?”

“Mom…it’s really not necessary.”

She cups the side of my face, tears filling her eyes. “Yes, it is. It’s what your father would have wanted.”

I try not to let my emotions overwhelm me, but it’s hard. Turning my back to Gage, I take a few moments to gather myself.

It’s not too late to run, Hazel. You don’t have to do this.

But then the logical part of my brain kicks in.

5.1 million dollars. Suck it up. It’s just six months.

I inhale deeply then turn back to my mother. “Okay.”

Mom gives me a nod then snaps her fingers in the air, cueing the music.

From the front of the room, the bailiff pulls out a Bluetooth speaker and starts fiddling with his phone.

After a few seconds, he mutters, “Hang on, it’s being finicky.”

Mom starts tapping her foot impatiently.

Finally, a loud pop crackles through the room, followed by a burst of static.

The n, suddenly, the unmistakable disco beat of a breakup anthem blares through the speaker.

I blink. Is… Is that “I Will Survive”?

The judge sighs. “Dammit, Ray. Wrong playlist.”

The bailiff frowns down at his phone, and a few awkward beats later, the right song finally starts playing.

Mom beams, and then she weaves her arm through mine and leads me toward the front of the room, to the man who’s about to be my new roommate, among other things.

Oh my God. I’m about to be someone’s wife.

When we reach Gage and the judge, my mother kisses me on the cheek and whispers in my ear. “I love you, Hazel Marie Sheppard.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

She places my hand in Gage’s. “She’s your responsibility now.”

Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I look up at a wide-eyed Gage and murmur, “Last chance to back out.”

He huffs out a laugh and leans closer to me, giving me a whiff of his cologne that instantly puts me under some type of spell. “5.1 million dollars, Hazel.”

I can’t help but smile back at him. “Marrying for money, not love.”

“Let us begin,” Judge Carlson says, and he starts to go through his spiel. I try not to focus too much on the words, instead studying the man standing much taller than me.

Gage holds his gaze on our hands, stroking the top of mine with his thumb. I don’t even think he’s aware he’s doing it, but it’s oddly calming. For a second, I feel safe with him, almost grateful that he’s the man I’m going through this with.

Then I remember how much he irritates me and snap myself out of it.

“ Do you take Hazel to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Judge Carlson asks Gage.

Gage clears his throat. “Yeah, I do.”

“And do you take Gage to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do,” I answer softly.

“Well then, by the power vested in me by the state of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Judge Carlson turns to Gage. “You may now kiss your bride.”

Gage locks his eyes on mine, and then he shrugs. He steps closer and leans in, his lips hovering just above mine.

My pulse stutters as I brace myself, barely breathing as he…veers at the last second, placing a kiss on my cheek.

A sharp pang of disappointment rushes through me, and I try not to think about why that is.

“Oh, come on now, Gage. That’s no way to seal a marriage!” my mother admonishes from beside us.

I glare at her over my shoulder. “Mom…”

“I have to agree with Mrs. Sheppard,” Judge Carlson adds.

I roll my eyes. “It’s fine.”

Gage clenches his jaw and releases my hands. “No, they’re right.”

Before I can process what’s happening, he leans in again and frames my face in his hands. My breath catches.

This time, his lips do touch mine, and the contact feels like a spark to dry kindling.

A mixture of shock and warmth courses through me, the softness of his lips moving over mine. When I feel Gage’s tongue slide against my mouth, I almost push him away. My body has other ideas, though, and my tongue darts out to meet his.

That’s when I lose all control.

Gag e doesn’t rush as he deepens our kiss. No. In fact, he seems nervous to push too hard, too fast, but my body sure as hell wishes he would.

Then, a small metal ball flicks against my tongue, and I realize his tongue is pierced.

Holy mother of God. Why is that so hot?

Can you imagine what that would feel like against your clit, Hazel?

With one last pass of his tongue over mine he pulls back, still holding my face in his hands, staring down at me as my eyes drift open.

“Hey there, wifey,” he says, a teasing lilt to his voice.

“Um, yeah.”

Yup. That’s all my brain can come up with at the moment .

My mother squeals beside us, clapping her hands. “Now that was much better! Aw, my little girl is married!”

I spin to face her. “I’m beginning to wonder if my brothers were right. Have you been drinking more than usual, Mom?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “You know, any other daughter would be grateful their mother isn’t trying to talk her out of this ordeal, Hazel Marie.”

“Yeah, you should be grateful,” Gage adds, the smirk on his lips indicating how amusing he’s finding this now.

“Thank you, Gage.”

“My pleasure, Catherine.”

Huffing out my frustration, I start toward the exit. “Well, good to know my husband and mother are already ganging up on me. Looks like the next six months are going to be loads of fun.”

***

“ Why were you acting like my mom was going to give you an infectious disease when she hugged you earlier?”

“What are you talking about?” Gage comes out of the kitchen with a plate of Chinese food in hand, headed toward the couch where I’m currently parked, eating my own dinner while Blueberry snores in my lap.

After our wedding, we immediately stopped by Timothy’s office to provide the appropriate documentation of our nuptials and officially start the clock on our marriage. Now, we’re finally home after the crazy day and I, myself, can’t wait to go to sleep.

Home.

Yup, my apartment is now Gage’s home too .

“You looked like her touching you made you uncomfortable,” I press.

Gage takes a seat on the other end of the couch. “It’s not that. It’s just…” He twirls a bite of chow mein onto his fork, considering his words before finally saying, “I’m not used to people being that nice. Plus, she’s your mom.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“I told you. I don’t do family, Spitfire. And honestly, I’m surprised your mother was so cool about this.”

My heart aches for him. “Yeah, well, she’s the best. But my family is big and they’re touchy, Gage. You might just have to get used to it for the next six months.”

Gage shrugs as he stares down at his plate. “I can’t make any promises.” Then he flicks his chin toward my feet. “Nice socks, by the way.”

I wiggle my toes. “Thanks. They’re one of my favorite pairs.”

Gag e leans down to read the bottom of them. “Leave me alone, unless you have wine.” His eyes lift to mine. “I take it you’re a wino then?”

“That’s a little fun fact you should know about me, yes. There’s always a bottle in my kitchen. Also, I have plenty more pairs of ridiculous socks—just an FYI.”

Gage huffs out a laugh. “Can’t wait to see what else I’ll get to learn about you from your feet.”

I ignore his sarcasm and change the subject. “Do you have anything else you need to get from Diane’s house?”

He brought several bags of clothes and things from his place in Florida and unloaded them in my spare room when we got here. Lucky for him, I have the space. Though, I’m still worried he won’t be entirely comfortable here.

“I never unpacked anything there, so no.”

“Oh.”

“I do have to go over there tomorrow, though, so I can start cleaning out her things in preparation to sell the place.”