Page 48 of The Spare

My brother leans toward me. “You okay, man? You’re looking a bit pale.”

I reach up to pull my collar from my neck. It’s so tight it’s feeling like a noose. “Never been better.”

I stand at the altar, the Hanover sun beating down on a scene I’ve spent weeks staging to look like the real thing. But when the music shifts, and Lexi appears, nothing has ever felt so real. Our eyes connect, and every instinct to breathe is overridden by the sheer sight of her.

She’s a vision in a gown of intricate white lace that flutters in the breeze as she walks, her arm tucked into her grandfather’s elbow. The plunging neckline and delicate floral embroidery highlight every curve I’ve spent years pretending not to notice.

Clutching a bouquet of assorted white flowers, Lexi’s blue eyes hold mine as she comes closer. Her blonde hair catches the golden afternoon light like a halo. I swallow down the lump in my throat. This woman is ethereal. Every dream I ever had come to life. Pure and simple.

My heart thuds against my sternum at the sight of her. A raw yearning claws at my chest. It’s a longing so visceral I’m certain every guest can see it etched into my face. But it’s the look in her eyes that stops my heart. My bride practically floats down the aisle to me. My bride. She’s the only real thing in this ceremony of lies.

There’s no doubt this woman will honor our contract to the letter of the law. Beyond my grandfather, Alexis Patterson is the very best person I know. She lives with honor, purpose, and integrity. She’d never let my pop’s legacy die if she could step in to help. The mere notion that marrying me could help her career is a total farce, and we both know it.

I know she’s doing this for Pop. Because I’m certain it isn’t for me.

In the front row, my mother sits in all her self-righteous glory, her eyes narrowed like a hawk preparing for the kill. She’s the main reason for the contracts and the secrets, but as Lexi reaches me, my mother’s presence fades into the background.

We start to exchange the vows we wrote to convince the world this is real. Alexis goes first, and I have to remind myself to breathe.

“Samuel, I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to stand by you through every season, good and bad. To give you my enduring friendship and respect. I promise to face every challenge with you and build a life of love, strength, patience, and mutual dedication. For as long as we both shall live.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Claire tilt her head in confusion. Lexi’s vows are similar to those I’ve heard repeated over the years. Safe. There’s no sentimental flourish. No tear-filled expression of undying love. But she’s already lying to her friends and family by marrying me. There’s no way she’d want to create vows she couldn’t live up to.

I tried to write my vows multiple times and kept drawing a blank. So, in my usual style, I decided to wing it. Speak from my heart. My eyes peer out over our guests before landing back on Alexis. My neck starts to sweat even harder.

What the hell was I thinking?

With John Legend humming in the back of my mind, I’m going all in. Swallowing down the boulder in my throat, I stare into her big blue eyes and begin. “Alexis, twenty years ago I was dumb enough to think that pushing you away was protecting myself. I’ve spent every day since learning just how wrong I was. You’re the smartest, fiercest, most unbelievable woman I’ve ever known. I don’t just take you as my wife today…” I take a step closer, reaching for her hand. “I choose you. I promise to stand in your corner when the world gets loud, to carry your burdens when you’re tired, and to earn your trust back, one day at a time. I promise to cherish every argument, every smile, and every second I get to spend by your side. You’ve owned my heart since I was a boy. And I’m sure you always will. Whatever comes next, whatever it takes, I’m yours.”

For as long as you’ll have me.

Alexis blinks up at me, her lips open, stunned. Okay, I’m more than a little baffled all of that just spilled out of my mouth.

Focused only on the beauty before me, the ceremony goes by in a blur. My spine had stiffened when the officiant asked if there was anyone who objected to the union. How the hell had I allowed him to keep that in there, knowing my mother would be in attendance?

My mind jolts back to the present when I hear him pronounce, “You may kiss the bride.”

Shit. How had I not considered this before now? I’ve only been tempted to taste those luscious red lips since I was in middle school. Why hadn’t I asked her if we could practice this beforehand? If nothing more than to allow our first kiss to be private. Not only have I waited my whole damn life for this, I’ve got to do it with all eyes on me.

Keep it together, Sam.

Stepping closer, I wrap my arm around Alexis, my hand finding the small of her back. I peer into her sparkling blue eyes as I lean into her, my heart pounding within my chest so hard our guests might be able to hear it. The outside world disappears.

My lips gently caress hers when I swallow a delicious gasp from her mouth. Unable to control what happens next, I lift both hands to cup her face and deepen the kiss. Our tongues dance in a desperate rhythm from years of pent-up desire. Her taste, the soft press of her lips, and the warmth of her tongue invade my senses. My hands slide into her long tresses, holding her tight, not wanting this to end.

For a heartbeat, I forget about the trust fund, the debt, and the one-year clause. That we’re supposed to be putting on the performance of a lifetime. Yet there is nothing about this kiss that is staged. All that matters is finally having this woman in my arms.

The hoots and hollers of our loved ones break the spell I’m under. My chest heaving, I lean my forehead against hers in an attempt to calm my frantic pulse. Stepping back, I find Lexi looking at me with wide, dazed eyes. Then it hits me. We’ve done it.

We’re married. We’ve secured the vineyard.

But as the crowd cheers, I realize I’ve just signed a contract for the one thing I never considered I’d actually lose.

My heart.

Chapter Twenty-One

Lexi