Page 15 of Scoring Chance

My body vibrates with nerves and terror and joy as Tanner slips a ring onto my finger. This finger was supposed to stay naked for eternity. I check out my hand. I was never a jewelry person, but it looks good with a ring on.

"Des and Tanner, by the state of New York, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss," she says.

"We don't have to do that,” I say.

She cocks her head. "Why wouldn't you want to kiss your new husband?"

Shit. I guess we can't lie about that.

"Sorry, I had a…garlic omelet for breakfast." I wonder if such a thing does exist.

But before I can second guess, Tanner steps forward and plants a kiss on my lips. I’ve kissed a lot of people, but no kiss has ever taken my breath away like Tanner is doing at this moment. His hot lips press against mine for a flash before pulling away, quite possibly leaving me changed forever.

This kiss is magic. I'm not a romantic, and I don't believe in magic, but…my wand is starting to stand up.

"Okay, well, where do we sign?" I ask.

She hands over the documents, and I get back to something I know: signing contracts. That is my specialty. Marriage and love? That is not.

"Stop crying," I tell Hank as he signs the witness part. A few minutes later, I exit the courthouse with…my husband? We stand on the majestic courthouse steps, staring out on the green.

"Well, husband, what should we do?" he asks.

"I actually have a call I have to get to at work. I told them I had a doctor's appointment."

"Yeah, fair enough. And I have to get home, with job hunting, and then do some grocery shopping and laundry. There's always laundry to be done," Tanner says, laughing.

It really is a beautiful laugh—deep and warm like the perfect cup of coffee on a chilly winter morning. It breaks the tension building in my chest.

"Well, I guess I'll see you at practice." I shrug my shoulders up to my ears.

He laughs. "Yeah, I'm not sure what to do either. I mean, we're married."

"We are married."

"I know what I'm gonna do," I say. "I’m going to change my insurance status with my company.” I hold up the marriage license. “Qualifying event, bitches! I’ll get you and the kids on the plan in no time. So no worries."

"Great."

“Okay.” We walk to the parking lot. A wind rustles the leaves. “I’m parked down this way.”

“And I’m one aisle over,” he says. The word aisle causes a twist in my stomach.

“Cool.” We stand there, a bit unsure, a bit dazed. We decide on a hug goodbye.

“Goodbye, husband,” Tanner says.

“Goodbye, husband.”

6

TANNER

Married life with Des is a lot like regular life with Des—only now we text like we’re starring in a sitcom with a laugh track.

Des: Your husband demands tacos tonight. This is nonnegotiable.

Tanner: Already thawing the beef, my love. Shall I pick up limes too?