The Marriage Contract, Natasha Black [thriller books to read .TXT] 📗

fact, the entire ceremony was little more than going through the bare bones of vows. I repeated after him when he told me to and listened to Matt do the same. Behind me, Hannah sniffled and cried. I even caught a glimpse of Jordan seeming to brush a tear from under his eye, not that he would ever admit to crying over his brother’s wedding.

Then, suddenly, it was over. The judge told us we could kiss each other and proclaimed us husband and wife. We walked over to a small desk and signed the certificate, making it legal. That was it. It was done. The entire thing might have taken up ten or fifteen minutes.

It didn’t really hit me until after Hannah cheered and Matt took my hand to lead me outside the building. When we stepped outside and I realized the world was just continuing right along exactly as it had been before we went in, the reality settled in. Something about nothing being different underscored just how different it actually was.

I was married. It was just on paper, but it was official. I was Matt Anderson’s wife. And he was my husband. Now I could do exactly as I planned and stick it to my family, who had been so critical and demanding about my relationship. And Matt could feel better reassuring his mother she didn’t have to worry he would never get married.

It was surreal as we got in the car, and he looked over at me and smiled. We had actually done it. We made this plan because it seemed like the best way to handle the issues both of us were facing. But maybe I didn’t actually think it was going to go through. And now it had. We’d done it, and now all that was left was seeing what was on the other side.

We went home but didn’t have a lot of time to think or talk about anything. We were there to change clothes so we could meet up with Hannah and Jordan for our celebration. There would be no reception, of course, but they insisted we get together for dinner and drinks to toast our new life together.

Matt and I changed into the outfits we had chosen for the night, and I took just a few seconds to appreciate how incredible he looked all dressed up. Besides, it was my wedding day. Real or not, I felt justified in getting at least a couple of minutes to ogle my husband.

We got to the restaurant after Hannah and Jordan. As soon as we walked in, she let out a squeal and rushed toward us.

“The newlyweds!” she gushed.

Some of the people around us turned at the announcement and smiled at us. A few called out their congratulations, and one man stepped up to shake Matt’s hand. It brought a bit of heat to my cheeks, but I found myself enjoying the attention. I didn’t get to enjoy all of the perks of being a newlywed, but I would take what I could get. It might have been shallow, but it made me feel special.

“Our table is ready,” Jordan said.

Matt started after him, but Hannah grabbed my hand and tugged me back.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” she said.

I nodded. “Sure.” I looked over at Matt. “I’ll see you in just a minute.”

He nodded and followed Jordan through the restaurant. Hannah guided me off to the side and held both of my hands between us.

“I just wanted to say I’m really happy for you,” she said. “Honestly, I didn’t think this was actually going to happen. Everything happened so fast between you and Matt, and I had a hard time believing you could really fall in love and decide you want to spend the rest of your lives together so quickly. But you did, and that makes me so happy. I’m so glad you finally found love.

“I think it’s a little rushed, but who am I to say how long you should wait when it comes to what your heart’s telling you? The way you two look at each other makes me so happy. I just want you to know that I realize I might not have been the most supportive of how fast things have moved, but I accept your relationship, and I’m here for you.”

The smile that came to my lips was somewhere between genuine and just another part of the farce. In reality, I didn’t really know how I was supposed to respond to her saying something like that. Yes, Matt and I got married specifically for the purpose of comforting his mother and sticking it to my family. We knew they were going to have a lot to say about it. That was kind of the point.

But at the same time, her words made me feel a little defensive. It was like she thought I required her permission, or that somehow, I would feel bad about my marriage if I didn’t have her unwavering support.

Reminding myself why I was doing this in the first place, I wrapped her in a hug.

“Thank you,” I said.

She led me to the table, and the guys gave us a questioning look.

“What was that all about?” Jordan asked.

“I was just telling Chloe how happy I am for her and Matt,” Hannah said, sitting down beside her husband. “And that I think it’s wonderful that they found love together.”

I sat down and looked over at Matt. He gave me a warm smile, and the butterflies rushed back into my belly.

“Excuse me,” I said. “I’m just going to slip to the restroom really fast.”

“You want me to come with you?” Hannah asked.

I shook my head. “No. It’s fine. Look, the waiter is coming over. Go ahead and order. You know what I like.”

That wasn’t said to anyone in particular, and I was very curious about what I was going to end up eating considering I didn’t actually know if anyone at that table would be able