A Substitute Bride for Mr. Voss

tr

ngth mirror, admiring the white dr

nees with a silver lining at the neckli

for an occasion so... fake. I wasn't just th

his wasn't a grand affair. Adrian had decided we'd go to a s

sham of a marriage with a clean slate an

quet, and slipped my shoes on.

gement party, we had exch

eur, who I assumed worked for Adrian, rolled the window down and

see Adrian sitting in the ba

see the bride until the ceremony, but this

, and I couldn't have been more relieved. This w

d with the bouquet, wrapping and unwrapping my han

ough I was marrying the man I'd

lammy. My heart

catching on a bottle of Xanax sitting on

e glancing at Adrian. His jaw was tight

I asked, nodding

he said, his vo

would I? For all I know, y

mine for the first time s

n hear your heartbeat, sunshine," he said, his voice calm

d, trying to lo

I'll be fine," I said flatly,

t nervous, and he knew exactly what would help. Th

my eyes on the passing scenery, silently

I took a deep breath before stepping out

ooked away, resisting the urge

im into the nearly deserted chape

cing each other, recitin

So help me God," I repeated, sliding the band onto his

citement I thought I might

s vows, his eyes n

id the band onto my fi

dly. "You may now kiss y

rian's, a warning

st my cheek, his voice low as he muttered, "Yo

adn't noticed. But the faint amusement in

ers itching to wipe the spot

want him. Ne

efu