One Year To Forever

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“You ready for this?”

Harry helps me into my suit jacket, giving me a look that says he already knows the answer.

“To be married?” I scoff. “No.”

“At least you’re honest.”

“With us,” my good friend Mark adds from where he’s leaning against the wall.

“Yeah.” Harry laughs, but the amusement quickly disappears from his face. “But you know Grandfather is going to kill you if he finds out about this.”

“He’s not going to find out.” I snap.

“Only you and Mark know, and no one else is going to find out.”

“Because one million suddenly disappearing from your account right after your divorce doesn’t look suspicious at all,” Harry mutters sarcastically.

“I’m not stupid.” I straighten my pink tie, checking myself in the mirror. “I plan on transferring a small amount into a private account every week.”

“That’s actually genius.”

Mark looks genuinely stupefied, like he hadn't expected me to have thought this whole thing through.

“You boys ready in here?”

Harry’s wife, Jenna, walks into the room.

Well, waddles would probably be a more accurate description.

Her nine-month-pregnant stomach practically arrives before the rest of her.

“Hey, baby.” Harry immediately walks over, pulling his wife against his side and kissing her forehead. “I think Sebastian is almost ready.”

He looks at me for confirmation.

“Almost.”

I turn back toward the mirror.

Through the reflection, I watch as my brother and his wife whisper indistinctly to each other.

Sometimes I look at Harry and wonder how he did it.

He has a beautiful wife, two beautiful children, and a third on the way. He seems completely content with the life he built.

He’s happy.

But then I remember what he gave up to have that life.

Grandfather’s company.

That’s something I’m not willing to do.

Maybe I’m not as happy as Harry is right now, but once I inherit the company, I know I will be.

That’s all I need.

“See that?” Mark jerks his head toward Harry. “That’s going to be you a few months from now.”

He smirks.

“I think Paisley will have you wrapped around her finger by the time this year is over.”

I snort.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Yeah, it is.” He nods confidently. “And you’re going to be following her around like a lost puppy.”

“I will never be that guy.”

I make sure to emphasize every word.

“Never be what guy?” Jenna asks, turning her attention to us while fixing Harry’s tie.

“The guy who feels like a lost puppy whenever his wife isn't home,” Mark explains with a grin.

Jenna looks at me.

Then she leans closer.

“Sebastian, I just came from the room where your bride is getting ready.”

I raise an eyebrow.

She lowers her voice dramatically.

“You are going to spend the rest of your life following Paisley around like a lost puppy, and you’re not going to be sorry about it.”

Then she straightens, gives Harry’s tie one final tug, and starts walking toward the door.

“Now hurry up! Your beautiful bride is ready.”

The door closes behind her.

“If this blows up,” Harry points at himself and shakes his head, “I never knew anything. She really likes Paisley, and she will literally kill me if she finds out I knew the whole thing wasn't real.”

“Got it.”

I nod.

I know exactly how Jenna gets when she’s disappointed.

“Wait.”

Mark’s face scrunches up.

“Since this is a fake marriage, does that mean no s*x?”

“The contract states no physical relationship.”

I glance at him.

“In or outside the marriage.”

I figured it was the only way to get Paisley to agree to this arrangement.

Mark stares at me like I just announced that I’m giving up breathing.

“So you’re supposed to go from bedding a new woman every night to no s*x for an entire year?”

He looks horrified.

“You actually have to learn how to control yourself for a whole year?”

“I can control myself.”

I glare at him.

“I just choose not to.”

“But now I have to.”

I won't risk ruining whatever strange friendship Paisley and I have because I couldn't keep my libido under control.

“Hey.”

My sister's husband, Charlie, walks into the room.

“It’s time.”

I groan.

Mark claps me on the back.

“It’s only a year.”

He pauses.

“But with no s*x? That year is going to drag on forever.”

“Marriage isn't as bad as you two are making it seem.”

Harry smacks both of us on the head.

We laugh, and then the four of us make our way toward the church aisle.

The moment I step inside, I notice something.

The side of the church that's apparently meant for my guests is packed.

Paisley’s side, on the other hand, is almost completely empty.

I've never heard Paisley talk about her family, but she can't possibly have no one.

“Hey, Mark.”

He looks at me.

“Go move some people to the other side.”

“You got it, boss.”

He gives me a mock salute before disappearing into the crowd.

Ten minutes later, the guests are evenly spread across both sides of the church.

The violins begin to play.

Harry takes his place behind me, followed by Charlie and Mark.

Then Harry’s daughter, Hailey, walks down the aisle in a pink dress, grinning from ear to ear as she throws flower petals.

I make a mental note to thank Paisley for letting her be the flower girl.

Next comes Jackson, Hailey’s brother, carrying a small pillow with the rings.

He looks less than thrilled to be wearing a navy suit.

Honestly, I can't blame him.

Jenna slowly waddles down the aisle.

Much to Harry’s dismay, she had been determined to be part of the wedding despite being nine months pregnant.

After Jenna comes my sister, Claire.

Finally, Brielle, one of Paisley’s friends, takes her place.

Then the wedding march begins.

Everyone stands.

And my grandfather appears at the end of the aisle with Paisley.

Her delicate hand is hooked through the crook of his arm.

When Paisley told us her father couldn't come, Grandfather practically jumped at the opportunity to walk her down the aisle.

He seemed almost too happy about it.

I look at her.

I suppose she looks pretty.

Her lace dress flares slightly around her waist, and my grandmother's blue diamond bracelet sparkles against her wrist.

Grandmother gave it to her before the rehearsal dinner yesterday.

At the time, I could have sworn Paisley was going to back out.

But she didn't.

Now she's walking toward me in a white dress.

And she's smiling.

Grandfather reaches me and gently places Paisley’s hand in mine.

Then he claps me on the back before taking his seat in the front row with the rest of my family.

Paisley’s hand trembles slightly in mine.

I squeeze it a few times.

It's my silent way of telling her that this is it.

If she wants to back out, now is the last chance.

I won't force her to do something she's uncomfortable with.

She rests her head against my shoulder for a brief moment before straightening.

To everyone watching, it probably looks like a sweet moment between a bride and groom.

But I know what she's really telling me.

I'm okay.

The officiant begins the ceremony with a prayer before launching into a long speech about love.

I try to pay attention.

I really do.

But eventually, my mind starts drifting.

It's not that I don't believe in love.

I see it all around me.

In my family.

In Harry and Jenna.

In Claire and Charlie.

I just don't believe someone can have that kind of love and still remain completely dedicated to their work.

You have to choose.

At least, that's what I've always believed.

The two of us repeat our vows, promising to love each other, to be honest with each other, to stand beside each other.

Words.

Just words.

Then we exchange rings.

The cold titanium band feels strange around my left finger.

Heavy.

Not because of its weight.

Because of what it represents.

For the first time, the reality of this marriage actually sinks in.

I'm married.

For a year.

To Paisley.

Then the officiant smiles.

“You may kiss your bride.”

Shit.

Paisley and I never discussed this.

I look at her.

She gives me a subtle nod.

I gently place my hands on her waist and pull her toward me.

Her lips meet mine.

Soft.

Warm.

And something strange erupts in my chest.

I immediately tell myself it's because I'm kissing her too softly.

That's all.

I just need to kiss her like I would any other woman.

I shouldn't be treating her like she's made of glass.

So I pull her closer and deepen the kiss, hoping the strange feeling will disappear.

It doesn't.

It gets worse.

My heart beats harder.

My thoughts become a mess.

When my tongue brushes against her lips, her hand lands on my chest.

Then she applies pressure.

Pushing me away.

It's like someone snaps their fingers beside my ear.

The spell breaks.

Suddenly, I can hear everything.

The clapping.

The cheers.

The laughter.

The cameras.

Everyone watching us.

“Sorry,” I whisper against her ear, making it look like I'm kissing her cheek.

Before she can respond, she's attacked by my sister Claire and Charlie's daughter.

“Aunt Paylee!”

Charlotte squeals.

Paisley immediately smiles.

“Hi, sweetheart!”

She bends down and picks my niece up without hesitation.

She doesn't even seem concerned about her dress.

Which is odd.

Most women would be worried about getting wrinkles or ruining the fabric.

Paisley doesn't seem to care.

Thirty minutes later, the church is almost completely empty.

Everyone except my family has left.

Paisley’s only wedding request had been that there wasn't a large reception.

Considering the circumstances, I'm perfectly fine with that.

My family gathers around us.

“Welcome to the family, Paisley!”

They all shout at once.

Paisley giggles.

“Congratulations, Sebastian.”

Grandfather pats my back.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

“Thank you.”

I barely get the words out before—

“Oh my God!”

Jenna screams.

Everyone turns toward her.

She looks down.

Then back up at Harry.

“My water just broke!”

Harry's eyes widen.

Panic instantly takes over his face.

I look at Paisley.

“Well, Mrs. Hayes…”

I gesture toward the chaos unfolding around us.

“I hope you're ready to dive headfirst into this family.”