Chapter 2

"Here she comes, here she comes--the bride's finally out."

By the time I came downstairs, a crowd of reporters had already gathered at the hotel entrance.

Camera flashes popped like firecrackers.

"Miss Gwen, how are you feeling on your wedding day?"

"Miss Gwen, what do you think about the century wedding Mr. Shaw prepared for you?"

I didn't say anything.

Under the bodyguards' escort, I got into the car.

The wedding was set at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the eastern part of the city.

Lucas stood on the steps in his white tuxedo, his face wearing an expression of complete confidence.

This morning he'd called, saying he'd gone seven rounds last night and his body couldn't take it--he needed to catch up on sleep.

He couldn't pick up his bride.

He was absolutely certain I would still show up.

His best buddy, Brian, was the first to whistle.

"She still came!"

He elbowed Lucas with an ambiguous grin.

"That's our Lucas for you--living it up the night before the wedding, and the bride still shows up in her wedding dress like a good girl. What do you call that? That's what I call well-trained!"

Another friend, Jason, chimed in.

"Damn right. With the way he was going at it in that bed yesterday, anyone else would be collapsed by now. But our Lucas can still stand here as the groom. Gotta hand it to him."

The group erupted in laughter.

Lucas's lips curved slightly.

His tone was casual. "Gwen's been with me for ten years. Who else would marry her besides me?"

He glanced down at the engagement ring I'd taken off yesterday.

"Throwing a tantrum is normal. But in the end--"

He paused, his voice confident. "She'll still walk up to me and put her hand in mine."

Brian gave him a thumbs up.

The car door opened.

I stepped out in my white gown.

Sunlight fell on the wedding dress, refracting into scattered sparkles.

A flash of admiration crossed Lucas's eyes.

He gave a sincere compliment. "Gwen, you look absolutely beautiful in that wedding dress!"

But before he could touch my hand, his vibrating phone pulled his attention away.

Looking at the contact name on the screen, his lips unconsciously curved upward as he stepped aside to answer.

"What's wrong? Didn't I tell you to call later?"

A lazy, coquettish voice came through the phone.

"Lucas, I'm flying abroad this afternoon... so I made an appointment to get our marriage certificate in ten minutes. Can you swing by the county clerk’s office I want to get the marriage certificate before I leave."

"Ten minutes?" Lucas chuckled low. "That urgent?"

After hanging up, Brian leaned over. "Who was it?"

"Vivian." Lucas pocketed his phone, his eyes brightening a few degrees. "She's flying abroad this afternoon and insists on getting the certificate before she leaves. She acted all cute and I couldn't say no."

Brian raised an eyebrow. "What about the wedding here--"

"What's the rush?" Lucas was unconcerned. "The wedding ceremony takes an hour or two. I'll go to the marriage license bureau first--ten minutes, that's it. You know Vivian's personality. If I don't humor her, she'll really cry at the airport."

Brian wisely said nothing more.

Lucas walked over to me, draped his arm over my shoulder, and had the photographer raise his camera.

"Come on, take a picture for me. A keepsake."

Click. Done.

He glanced at his watch. "Alright, that's it for now. I need to go or I'll miss the appointment."

He turned and strode toward another car.

"Lucas!"

I stood in place and called out to him.

He paused mid-step and looked back at me.

His eyes still carried that careless confidence of someone who had everything under control.

"If you leave today," I said, word by word, "I'm replacing the groom."