Page 49 of Bargaining

This was it. The point of no return. It had been a mistake not to do this in a registry office. The solemnity of the church made my knees tremble. We were about to lie to an entire room full of people.

“Everyone is going to be pissed off if they find out we’re lying,” I whispered.

“I have no intention of lying when I say those vows.”

“What? This is just admin for you. You said it yourself.”

“So? That’s what a marriage is. Admin. We make promises and we work to fulfill our contractual obligations. I won’t let you down, Charlotte. I’m signing up to be your husband. This is a marriage of convenience, but it’s still a marriage. I’m a man of my word. You’re doing me a favor. I won’t forget that.”

Cole slipped his arm through mine and guided me gently toward the stone steps. Panic spiraled through me. This shouldn’t have been like this. It should have been real. It should have been Dad walking me down the aisle to stand before a man who loved me deeply. The last time I’d been in church, it had been to say goodbye.

The weight of my grief pinned me to the spot. “I can’t do this without him.”

Tiff’s voice played in my head.Think of the money.

My voice came out a desperate whisper. “I don’t want to cry. My mascara will run. Please tell me something funny. Please don’t let me cry. Not now. Please.”

Cole watched me with a serious expression. “When Theo was little, I found him eating a couple of the cat’s biscuits. I managed to convince him he was going to turn into a cat.”

“What?”

“He believed it hook, line, and sinker. Lucas pretended to call an ambulance. Theo burst into tears when Lucas told the imaginary doctor on the other end of the phone that we could see whiskers coming through.”

A small laugh bubbled up. “That’s really cruel.”

“This is the family you’re joining. Prepare yourself. I’m an arsehole, and I’m still the best of the bunch.”

“Thanks for the heads-up. If we’re doing this, then I should probably warn you that I’m a terrible cook, like really bad. Once I made a pad Thai that I had to throw in the bin because it was so bad, but it still smelt so terrible we had to put the bin outside. Tiff told me she’d never emotionally recover from how awful it tasted. Also, I have a weird phobia about automated car washes. I don’t know why. It’s the noise and the huge, soapy rollers.”

“Noted. Good job we have a chef.” He lifted a wry eyebrow. “Also, this really explains a lot about the state of your car.”

Birdsong filtered around us. A hysterical wave went through me. Marriage? My breath came in shallow gasps. Being trapped in a car wash would have been preferable to this feeling.

He gripped my hands. “Breathe. Just breathe.”

“I’m breathing.”

He raised a sardonic brow. “As a vampire, I don’t need to breathe, so I’m fine. Of course, there is a chance I could combust when I step inside the church.”

He held the heavy, arched wooden door open. Cool air and the scent of lilies engulfed me. Candles on tall plinths flickered light against stained glass and painted stone in a wash of vibrant watery colors. It looked beautiful. A sea of faces turned to look at me. These had to be all the people Cole was trying to impress. I focused on my side of the church. On Tiff and my nieces. I didn’t have many people I could invite. My social life had died a death a long time ago, but I had a scattering of aunts and cousins and extended family I hadn’t seen since Dad’s funeral.

“Now we walk. One foot in front of the other. Focus on me. I’ve got you. Let’s take this day one step at a time.” Cole’s low voice in my ear reassured me. “OK?”

A wave of gratitude passed over me. He hadn’t let me cry. My grief wedged in my chest as something bittersweet but manageable. I could get through it. At least for the next step. And then the next.

“I’m going to have to keep checking in case smoke starts pouring from under your collar.” I sniffed the air. “I think I can smell burning.”

He smirked as we glided up the aisle together. His low whisper against my earlobe sent a warm shiver through me. “I haven’t combusted yet. Maybe you’re my redemption, Charlotte.”

Chapter 23

Cole

Light from the stained-glass windows made Charlotte’s chestnut hair gleam like she was wearing a halo. I held her hands and felt her fingers tremble. I’d never expected to marry.Love is a weakness to be exploited, boy.Today wasn’t about love. It was about putting things right by Mum and making sure my father didn’t win.

The minister was talking, but I couldn’t stop my mind from drifting. Being back in Ecclesdale again was affecting me. The memories still held too much sway over me. My father’s voice in my head was louder than ever.

I heard about your exam results. Apparently, you got the brains in the family. Unfortunately, Reuben takes after Janice. Your brother is not the brightest spark. I need you in New York.