Ford

I’m just leaving the jewelry store when Delilah gives me a call. “How is my mystery groom doing? Are you getting nervous about this afternoon?”

I open the box to look at the ring set I just picked up for Jasmine, thank god Delilah gets that information from the women when she interviews them, and then I snap it closed. “No. I haven’t felt more confident about anything in my life. I can’t explain it, but I just know. I’ve had my lawyer draw up the contract you suggested, not that I think it’s needed. He will have it there for you to go over with my bride before the wedding.”

She’s silent for a moment. “Are you sure this is what you want Ford? She isn’t looking for love, and you are.”

“You’re the matchmaker Delilah, are we compatible?”

“I would have matched her with you immediately if you were both looking for the same things.”

“She feels this too, she’s just too scared to admit it to herself yet. Not to mention it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since we’ve met. I’m confident that given more time she will come to feel the same way about me as I do for her. The problem is we don’t have that kind of time, do we? I’m not letting her marry some asshole when I can gladly do this for her.”

“This is why I love what I do. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Thank you, Delilah.”

“I didn’t do this.”

“You did, and you know it.”

I hang up and get into the backseat of my town car.

“George, how did it go with her sister? Did you have any problems?”

“She’s was a bit leery at first, but she went along with it, sir.”

“Good. Thank you for doing that.”

“Of course, sir.”

Dialing my mother, I’m surprised she hasn’t called before now to see how last night went.

“Good morning dear.”

“Hey, Mom. How are you?”

“Oh, I’m good. Just playing Triominoes with your father.”

“Are you cheating again?” I ask laughing.

“Hanford Andrew Stone the second, I do not cheat!”

The woman is known for cheating. When I hear my father in the background mimicking her, I laugh even harder. “Are you two be busy this afternoon, say around four?”

“We don’t have anything planned, why?”

“I need you and Dad to meet me at the Dream Sky Hotel.”

“Okay, are we having a late lunch?”

“No, I’m getting married.”

“Hanford! You can’t spring this on me! Who are you marrying? Is it someone from school?”

“I met her last night at the ball. She has no idea about the wedding, it’s kind of a surprise.”

“This isn’t a good idea Hanford. Did you get her pregnant last night?”

“Mom,” I warn. “That isn’t any of your business. Look, she’s in trouble, and she needs to get married.”

“There are other ways of helping the girl without throwing your life away.”

“I know you mean well Mom and just want to see me happy, but this is what will make me happy. She is the one I’m meant to be with. I know it doesn’t make sense and that it’s crazy fast, but she’s the one.”

“You are just like your father.” She sighs. “Okay, we’ll be there. And Hanford?”

“Yeah, mom?”

“She must be pretty special if she’s got you like this.”

“She’s more than special, she’s amazing. Just go easy on her and her sister, we don’t want to scare them off.”

“Of course not. Is there anything that you need from me?”

“I’ve got everything covered as far as the wedding. Will you have Gina go over to my house and get it cleaned up. I also need the refrigerator stocked and a guest bedroom set up for a teenage girl.”

“Just one guest bedroom?”

“Stop being nosy Mom. I know what I’m doing?”

“Mmm hmm. See you soon dear.”

I hang up with my mother excited about the rest of my day. The only thing that would make it better would be if Theo were here for this.  

Jasmine

My sister and I have been at the spa for hours getting completely pampered. We just had our hair cut and styled for the first time in years, and I’m feeling amazing. Throughout the day I’ve told Ellie about what happened last night. She wasn’t happy that I lied to her or would resort to a marriage of convenience, but I know she sees the practicality of it all. For being almost eighteen, she’s been through a hell of a lot more and seen things that most people haven’t that are twice her age.

Ford has been on my mind all day. I keep picturing him at the bar and the small conversation we had. I’ve been replaying how it felt to be held by him and taken care of by him. What I wouldn’t give to find a man who would treat me like that always.

“Earth to Jasmine,” Ellie says waving her hands in front of my face. “Oh my God, are you thinking about him?”

“What! No way.”

“You so are. What happened between you two last night? You’re telling me he swept you off your feet and carried you to his room only to fall asleep next to you while watching those creepy crime shows you love. I don’t believe it. You’re beautiful. There has to be something wrong with him if he didn’t make a move on you.”

“Something wrong with who?” Delilah says sitting down on the couch where we’re finishing our lunch.

“Delilah, this is my sister Ellie.”

She shakes my sister’s hand. “You’ve got a great sister Ellie. Would you mind grabbing a coffee or looking in one of the shops here, I need to talk to her about something.”

“It’s fine Delilah, I told her everything. I shouldn’t have kept this from her anyway. Go ahead.”

“As you wish. Someone is interested in your offer of marriage.”

“What? Who? Oh God, please tell me it isn’t that Jackson guy from last night, he was a total creeper.”

She laughs long and hard. “ God no, it seems as though you caught the eye of someone else. He had his lawyer draw up a contract to lay out the terms of your agreement. I’ll let you take a look at it, but the nonnegotiables are simple. One, he wants to get married immediately, today in fact.”

“Hence the spa day?” I ask my stomach sinking, reality dawning that this wasn’t some fairy tale.

“Two, you have to share a bedroom for the full extent of your marriage.”

“Excuse me? Why would we do that? I thought your clients were well off Delilah, he must be able to afford more than two bedrooms. Wait, is sex part of the deal?”

She winces. “There’s more, hang on I’ll get to that part. Three, divorce isn’t an option, yet. He wants you to give the marriage an honest try to see if you could be a match. If after five years you aren’t happy you are free to part ways. Four, children are not mandatory, but he hopes after some time you’ll want them.”

“Delilah, I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, but this guy sounds more serious about marriage than I am. I don’t think I can give him what he’s looking for. Didn’t you tell him?”

“Trust me, I tried explaining that to him already, but he was adamant that you were the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.”

“Who is this guy? I mean, you checked him out right? He’s not some crazy person?” Ellie questions.

She laughs. “I’ll tell you both what I told him when he came to me with this request. I’ve been doing this for a while and before that would watch my grandmother work her magic. You two are perfect for one another. I would have matched you two initially if you were looking for a love match. His last request is to remain anonymous until you have made a decision on the marriage.”

Butterflies take flight in my stomach, and I hope that the man I’m picturing in my mind is the one I’ll see at the end of the aisle. “When’s the wedding?”

Delilah claps her hands together excitedly. “You’ll do it?” She squeals.

I smile at her. “Doesn’t seem like I have much of an option.”