Rosalie’s best friend had been much easier before Rosalie met Nick, back when she didn’t believe in marriage either. The two of them would sit at their favorite bar and talk over dirty martinis about fools in love. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Gina shot Rosalie a threatening look; she didn’t trust Rosalie to keep her mouth shut. Asking Rosalie to stand up for her was a huge mistake, but Gina had no one else to ask. Other than Tina, Rosalie was Gina’s only friend, and Tina couldn’t know about this until it was over.
Ben gave her hand a tug as the Justice of the Peace cleared his throat. Madre de Dios , she’d missed something. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Repeat after me…”
Gina got through the vows only stumbling over the section about until death do us part. She expected the whole thing to be over and waited for the dreaded “you may kiss the bride” line.
The Justice of the Peace said something about the exchange of rings. Rich handed Ben a ring. Gina didn’t know why she was surprised. Most people who married exchanged rings, but that seemed too real for a fake marriage. Still, Ben took her hand and slid a white gold band on halfway up her finger. It was plain and for that she was thankful.
Ben slid the band the rest of the way on and then topped it with the biggest engagement ring she’d ever seen, and she had a feeling the diamond wasn’t man-made. Heck, the ring probably wasn’t gold. She’d bet her eyeteeth it was platinum. She was wearing a fortune; she might as well just wear a sign saying Mug Me Now!
“With this ring I thee wed. With my body I thee worship. With all my worldly goods I thee endow.”
The shock about the rings was diminished by the overwhelming panic she felt when she heard those fatal words. No matter how fake she knew them to be, the fact that this marriage was legally as binding as any other left her shaken. When Rosalie handed her a ring, she mumbled something just wanting the whole thing to be over. The room was closing in on her and she didn’t have enough air. She was just about to run when Ben wrapped an arm around her and leaned in for a kiss. When his lips touched hers, all thoughts of Ben being gay seemed to take a backseat to the fireworks going off in her mind and body. It was at that moment Gina realized she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life.
***
Ben bent down to kiss Gina because it was expected and to show Rich Ronaldi, in case he had any question, just where he could stuff his concern. Ben wasn’t sure why he felt the need, since Rich was married to Ben’s partner in the Gallery and he knew Becca and Rich were disgustingly happy. Still, when Rich stuck his nose into the conversation during their marriage ceremony time-out, Ben had the urge to flatten him.
Gina stiffened and then melted as her mouth softened beneath his. For a little thing, she sure packed one hell of a powerful punch. Ben hadn’t expected the way his heart would race or the way she’d feel when he held her against him. He pulled away and watched as she blinked and then stepped back looking just as shell-shocked as he felt. Note to self: No more kissing his wife. Ever.
Rosalie stepped in between them to hug Gina who looked as if she still hadn’t recovered, not that Ben had. He found himself shaking hands with Rich and then on the receiving end of a kiss on both cheeks and a hug from Rosalie.
After thanking the Justice of the Peace and signing the marriage certificate, Ben looked at his new wife and waited, not sure of what to do. Rosalie and Rich watched him expectantly. “How about all of us going to lunch to celebrate?”
Gina shook her head. “I can’t. I took today off for this and to move into Rosalie’s old place.”
“Why? We’re going to buy a place together. That was the plan.”
Gina looked exasperated. “Yeah, but until then I needed a place to stay. I’m not going back to my sister and brother-in-law’s. Not after today.”
Ben