I have bags in each hand when Soti walks back into the store. He holds out his arms and I loop the bag handles on them.

“Impressive. You don’t mess around. Anywhere else you need to go before we get hitched?” he asks.

“Nope, I think I’m covered.” If I didn’t know better, I’d think we’re both excited.

I found the perfect dress. It looks vintage, even though it’s brand new. Lacy on the top, with a scalloped V-neck and a cinched waist, it falls right above my knee. Nothing too over-the-top, but still special.

It takes less than ten minutes to reach Judge Friend’s house. I can’t help it—I gasp when I see the place.

“I hoped you’d like it.”

“It’s perfect,” I say.

The large white house has tons of windows and two long staircases coming down on either side of the wraparound porch. The grass and colorful flowers make the house stand out even more.

“I’m glad you think so. I’ve always loved this place. I think you’ll really like the Friends too.”

We step out of the car.

“I can’t believe his name is Judge Friend.”

“I know. It’s a name you don’t forget, that’s for sure. It fits them both well.”

I look at my watch. “Can we really get married at ten fifty a.m. on a weekday?”

“I don’t see why not.” His fingers brush against my cheek. “They know we’re coming. You still want to do this?”

“You’re the one that needs to be sure.”

He pulls my hips against his and twists me around until my back is against the car door. His hands rest on the roof of the car, on either side of my head. He backs away just enough to look into my eyes. Our breath mingles and he rubs his nose against mine and whispers: “Marry me. I mean it. God, do I mean it.”

“Why?” I laugh, breathless. “I know you’re helping me out here, but you do not have to do this. Why would you?”

“I think my whole life has been leading me to you.” His cheeks flush and I want to remember this moment forever, no matter how contrived it may be. A beautiful, kind man is asking me to marry him.

“Marry me,” he repeats, stronger this time.

I crinkle my face, looking at him as if he’s gone mad. Maybe I have too, because I want to say yes and never look back. I laugh again and stare at him a moment longer before ducking under his arms. I grab the bags out of the car and walk to the front door.

“Let’s do this!”

* * *

“Growing up, I spent a fair amount of time in the Friend home. They’re the few people who were close to my parents that I genuinely like.”

Judge Friend walks out before we ring the doorbell.

“Sotirios Christos. How in the world are ya?” He pounds Soti on the back. “Richard Friend, and you must be Lili Fontenot,” he says, holding his hand out to me. “Welcome.”

“Your home is beautiful,” I tell him.

“It’s a beautiful day for a wedding, that’s for sure.” He pounds Soti on the back again. “May is definitely the time for it. How’d you get this one to settle down?”

We check to see which one of us he’s talking about, but he puts his arm around my shoulder and leads me into the house.

“Karen, honey, they’re here!” he calls.

Karen rounds the corner, smiling. She gives Soti a huge hug and then introduces herself to me, squeezing my arm.

“I’ll get you situated upstairs, dear,” she says.

I glance at Soti over my shoulder as I walk up the long staircase.

“I’ll be waiting,” he says.

* * *

I tend to not let myself appreciate a man’s beauty—get the job done, in and out, no attachment, no mutual admiration. But Soti is impossible to ignore. He looks ready to fight my battles, but with the eyes of a lamb. He’s breathtaking. I can’t tear my eyes from his as I inch down the stairs to meet him. It suddenly feels very real. We barely know each other. I can’t comprehend how he could possibly go so far as to marry me. This is the favor of all favors.

I stop in front of him and smile. The judge stands holding a Bible, while Karen and a man I haven’t met yet stand on either side of us. Our witnesses. They’ve thought of everything.

Judge Friend smiles at us both and clears his throat. “I was so happy to get the call from Soti asking me to marry the two of you. I didn’t have to wonder why it was so fast or why I don’t know anything about you, Lili, once I met you. It’s clear that you two are meant to be together, and we’re just happy to be a part of this beautiful day.” He nods to Karen and she smiles.

I’m surprised everyone is taking this so seriously. I assumed Soti would fill the judge in on some of our drama, but it doesn’t seem to be the case. I know we’re just playing a part and I’m getting swept up in the idea of a romance we’re not even having, but this has been the best day of my life. I will continue my role until he won’t have me anymore. Because if I know nothing else, this much I do know: Soti Christos is worth it.

Judge Friend quotes a scripture I’m not familiar with—John 15:13. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. I know Soti doesn’t love me, but the scripture reminds me of what he’s doing for me. And then the judge speaks about the many challenges that come with marriage. There is no room for jealousy or competition; selfishness needs to be set aside to make a marriage work. These concepts might sound simple to some, but to me, everything he says feels brand new. I want to remember every word.

Finally, he looks at us and says, “Would either of you like to say anything before your vows?”

Soti looks at me and I know he’s taken aback when I nod. His huge paw of a hand covers mine and squeezes.

“Soti, I’ve felt terrible for throwing you into my mess of a life, but right now, in this moment, I’m just grateful that you’re pulling me into your sweet life. The little I’ve seen seems to be a beautiful, peaceful chaos.”

He smiles at that and grips my hand tighter.

“I can tell it’s busy and not necessarily glamorous, but full of so much good—things I’ve never come close to experiencing. I don’t know how to explain it, but being around you gives me a sense of … well-being. It’s new to me, and I want you to know that I appreciate every sacrifice you’ve already made for me.”

I kiss his cheek and step back. He kisses the top of my hand and his eyes smile at me. He swallows and presses his lips together before he speaks.

“Lili, something happened to me regarding you that I can’t explain without coming across as a madman.” He smiles. “It’s as if I’ve been given unique, advanced goggles to look through when it comes to you. I don’t think it’s accidental. It feels right. I see you. Really see you. Maybe not the you that everyone else sees, or the one you project. We all see your beauty, believe me. You are breathtaking every minute, and especially today, but past that I see the substance, the longing … for something true.” He swallows. “And I promise you I will not take this lightly. I vow to do my best to show you a happy life. A life of being adored, honored … a life where you never doubt my loyalty. My heart—you will have all of it, from this day forward. Always.”

My eyes blur and I gulp, trying to soften the lump in my throat. He puts his hand on my face and my blood warms.

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.”

My eyes fill. “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard,” I whisper.

His finger catches the tear that falls and the look he gives me in that moment makes me feel I could endure anything if I had him by my side.

Judge Friend has us repeat our vows after him, and I manage to get through them in one piece. Soti slips a ring on my finger.

“It’s gorgeous,” I whisper. I’m shocked he even thought of a ring.

I didn’t expect our wedding to feel meaningful at all—more like a perfunctory exchange—but I’ve never been more wrong.

Soti’s words penetrated and took root in my skeptical heart. Life seems hopeful.

Lili Christos: a new name, a new life.

Our kiss is short and sweet, but the same fire I saw in his eyes when we kissed before is burning even brighter. And my legs are wobbly from a peck. I’m in over my head.

***

Karen has prepared a delicious lunch and even a small wedding cake. I fight the tears again when I see all the trouble she’s gone to. In my world where everything comes with a price, the kindness of all the people that come attached with Soti is more than I can comprehend. My suspicious nature is set aside for the deep desire that there could be people in the world like this. If they’re not genuine, I don’t want to know.

They try to convince us to stay a few nights—their house is big enough to still have privacy, but I don’t feel comfortable in someone else’s home. Fake honeymoon or not, it’s too much pressure to live it in front of anyone else. I’m relieved when Soti tells them we have plans.

It’s late afternoon when we get in the car, still in our wedding clothes.

“I really am sorry about this car. It feels wrong when you’re dressed like a goddess…”

I laugh. “So you’re saying if I keep dressing like this, you’ll keep the car clean?”

“Oh, no. It’s starting already, isn’t it? My life is not my own,” Soti teases.

He takes my hand and presses his lips to the palm of my hand. I feel a flurry in my stomach and suppress the urge to climb in his lap and kiss him senseless.

“I’ll add that to my vows,” he says. “I hereby promise to keep the car clean.”

“You’re easy.” I giggle. “The inked knight is a softie.”

“Don’t you dare let word get out.” He tries to glare, but can’t pull it off. “Knight?” he says under his breath and chuckles.

We reach the end of the driveway and wave one more time before turning the corner. As soon as we’re out of sight, he pulls the car to the side of the road and shifts in his seat to face me.

“Okay, tell me honestly … I have a few ideas, but I’m in the dark about things you may or may not like. Do you like surprises? Do you like the beach, the mountains, cabins, swanky hotels? If you’d rather be close to home, I can keep us hidden for a few days. Or we can—”

I touch his tanned, hairy arm and he pauses.

“I’ve never left New Orleans, ever, so I’d love to do anything that isn’t there.”

He stares at me, wide-eyed.

“And I do like surprises,” I add.

“You promise to speak up if you don’t like where I take you and we can try something else?”

“I promise.”

“Okay, we’ll be there in a few hours.”

“Perfect.”

He pauses. “Anywhere you’ve always wanted to go?”

“Carmel-by-the-Sea.”

“In California?”

“A client brought in pictures once. The sunsets, the beach, the quaint little town—I’ve wanted to go ever since.”

“Carmel … I like that.” He picks up his phone. “Let’s see what the flights look like…”

I put my hand on his and smile. “I didn’t mean today! Take me where you’ve planned. Somewhere closer than California.”

He drops the phone into the cup holder and flips his hand over to lace our fingers together. He’s quiet for a minute and doesn’t let go of my hand even after he starts to drive.

***

I give it a solid effort, but the short night we had catches up, and I sleep nearly the whole way. When something touches my shoulder, I jump, spouting gibberish.

“Sorry to wake you, Sleepyhead. We’re here.”

I squint my eyes and look around. A pastel-turquoise oversized cottage on stilts looms over us. Just past the house is water.

“Where are we?”

“Orange Beach, Alabama. If you like the place, we can stay for a couple of days. Or we can keep driving down the Gulf, if you’d rather try something different.”

“What could be better than a pastel house on stilts overlooking the water?”

He looks slightly relieved but still nervous. I take his hand and get out of the car. We walk up the white stairs, and at the top are two white rocking chairs.

“One for you, one for me,” he says.

I laugh at his sheepish grin. He unlocks the door with his free hand and we walk inside. I rush inside and if I were a squealer, I’d be going at it. White woodwork, overstuffed couches, and the tropical air with an amazing view.

“It couldn’t be any further from Maison D’amour with all the light and coziness, and look at the water … it’s beautiful!”

We walk to the back wall of windows and stare at the water. A private pool is situated to the left and a small lagoon that leads to the gulf is past that. A path with flowers on either side leads from the house to the beach. Without saying a word, we walk outside and down the path until we hit the sand. The sun is just beginning its descent into the water. We watch as it eventually disappears.

He turns to me and smiles. “Perfect.”

I tilt my head up to look at him. And then lean up and lightly touch my lips to his, one barely-there kiss.

“Thank you for a beautiful day,” I say.

“You made it beautiful, Mrs. Lili Christos.” He brushes the hair off my shoulder and his fingers land on my waist. “I was surprised you wanted to take my name.”

“Figured I may as well go all the way.” I can’t look at him when I say it, afraid my face will show too much truth. “And it’s a nice name.”

He tugs me a little closer.

I put my hands around his neck and play with his hair, wondering if he’ll turn me away this time and testing myself to see if I can do this. Be normal. Do what normal couples do. I want to. Is this real? It feels real. He leans into my hand and studies me intently.

When he speaks, his voice is hoarse. “I’m all in, Lili. This can go however you want. I know neither of us exactly planned on getting married today, but you won’t find me complaining.” He bends to be at eye level with me. “You hardly know me, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the first time I saw you. It was long before that time I chased you down with that guy.”

I swallow and wait for him to continue. It’s obvious he’s nervous.

“I know we don’t know each other well, but … we’ve covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time. It feels like our souls are old friends. My heart recognizes yours.” He leans his forehead on mine.

My eyes fill and I’m grateful we’re too close for him to notice. We stand there, breathing the same air and feeling the magnitude of this day.

His voice sounds strained, but he keeps going. “I probably can’t continue sleeping with you and keep my hands to myself forever, but I’m willing to try for as long as you need. When that stops working, I’ll sleep elsewhere.”

I pull my head away and roll my eyes. “You seem to forget what I’ve already … oh.” My eyes widen. “Were you … waiting for marriage? Is that why you were so willing to marry me? I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it until now. I haven’t met any virgins your age, but there’s a first time for everything. It actually makes sense now—I’ve never met a man who could actually sleep with me, so…”

He cringes and then laughs awkwardly.

I step back.

“No.” He clears his throat but keeps laughing. “I never imagined I’d get you to marry me so soon.” He says it under his breath, as he turns from me and looks at the water. “I want you to trust me, Lili. Trust that I’m not like all the men who have only used you. At least I’m not that way anymore. You’re so much more than that.”

“I knew you were different the first time I saw you,” I respond. “I hoped you were anyway. I don’t know how to do a nor—” I put my hands on his cheeks and turn him toward me, leaning in close.

He groans before pulling me against him. “I … I need to tell you something, Lili. It’s—there’s no easy way to say it.” He pulls back and looks at me.

And once again I wait for my bubble to burst.

“Over six years ago, I lost my virginity at eighteen … to you.”

Pop.