Page 7 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

My mother was wearing a long, deep burgundy dress with a scarf around it. She had her hair in large curls and simple diamond earrings. My father was wearing a matching button-up shirt with a gray suit. He’d combed his hair back and cleaned up his face.

“You didn’t have to come.”

“I wouldn’t miss your wedding,” she said, placing her hands on my face. She smiled at me, and her eyes were sparkling as she looked at me. “It’s a mother’s dream to see her child go down the aisle. I’ve watched you grow from this little bean into this handsome man. I am so proud of you.”

“I think it’s her dream to know you’re marrying the woman because of love and not a job.” My dad quickly added, and I hated how he had to ruin the moment.

I sighed, watching the way my mother’s smile slipped. She pulled her hands free. “Well, since you’re dressed, we will go take our seats.”

My father pulled himself up and opened the door. My mother blew me a kiss before they both slipped free. I sighed, rubbing at my face. I kept seeing Hazel’s face when she cameinto our meeting. She looked frazzled but held her head high. I could tell she clearly didn’t love the idea, and I wasn’t sure why she was agreeing. She didn’t have to if she really didn’t want to. I expected her to refuse, for Brandon to have to come up with something else.

But she’d said she would.

There was a knock at the door, and Westley popped his head inside. “We’re ready if you are.”

I nodded.

We left the room and headed down the hallway toward the small court room down the hall. Inside, my parents sat with Brandon and Kaleb waiting. I headed down the small row of chairs to them. Westley patted my back.

“Look at us. We’re all going to be married in a matter of minutes.”

I could see my father’s eyes narrow at the joke.

I heard someone clear their throat, and I turned as Gabriella came into the doorway. Hazel was right next to her, wearing a simple white dress. Gabriella walked with her, bringing her down toward me. But she didn’t hand her off. She stepped close to me, her eyes narrowing. “If you hurt her, Asher. I will hurt you ten times worse.”

She glared at me with venomous eyes before taking a step back. Hazel stepped forward. She swallowed, but I could see her discomfort beneath her eyes.

“This is just a quick down-at-the-courthouse marriage. We just need you two to take each other, and we will sign the marriage license.”

“Hazel, do you take Asher Witney Thomas to be your husband?”

Hazel was quiet for a moment. Her entire body froze at the words, and I could see the wheels in her head were churning. But she shook it off and slowly nodded. “I do.”

“And Asher, do you take Hazel Lynn Ellis to be your wife?”

“I do.”

“Alright, then let’s sign the marriage license, and you two are wed.”

Brandon pulled out a marriage license and slid it onto the small podium in front of him. “Westley and Kaleb already signed for your two witnesses.” Brandon handed me the pen, and I quickly wrote my name. I handed the pen to Hazel. She stared at the paper, and I half expected this to be the moment she realized there was no turning back. I expected her to suddenly snap out of this haze and realize what she was agreeing to.

But she didn’t. She signed her name and placed the pen down. She brought her eyes up to me as Brandon spoke. “Well, you are legally husband and wife.”

My parents pulled themselves up and walked toward us. My mother offered a bright smile. “It’s lovely to meet you, Hazel.”

Hazel tried to muster a smile, but it didn’t fit. My father remained silent, just staring at Hazel. I could see he was disappointed, his eyes narrowing on her like he was trying to figure her out.

“Well, now that it is official, we have some other things to figure out. And I would like to speak with my wife alone.” I hooked her arm, wanting to get her as far away from my father as I possibly could.

My mother stopped me, grabbing my arm. “Before you do, will you agree to dinner? Please? It’s been a while since you’ve been over.”

I nodded, already trying to think of some excuse I would use later. I slipped my arm free from my mom and pulled Hazel with me down the hallway.

We stepped outside, and she ripped her arm free. She took a step away from me and crossed her arms. “Let me make one thing very clear.” She waved a hand between us. “It’s fake. And there is no changing that. I will not be a doting wife, cooking and cleaning for you. I will not be going on dates or acting like we are a loving couple in public.”

I couldn’t hide my shock at her sudden turn of emotions. I knew that Hazel had a viper tongue, but I had yet to see it myself. She had always been a smartass or sweet, depending on who she was talking with. I’d only seen her as soft and gentle.

“I’m not expecting you to.”