When he sees me, he stops and takes me in with determination on his face, as if he’s ready to face the challenges ahead.
“Hi,” I say weakly.
He runs his gaze over me, little electric sparks igniting the path he takes. “Hi.”
I bite my lip.
“Nice dress. You look incredible,” he says as his gaze lingers on my face, my lips, then the corset bodice of my dress.
“So do you.”
He smiles. “And here we go.”
We sign in and provide our marriage license, one that Graham was able to arrange quickly, along with our appointment. We take a seat in the waiting room alongside several other couples, ones who are giggling and holding hands. We don’t. Instead I pin a small white peony to his lapel, and he thrusts over a bouquet of them. They smell divine, the sweet scent wafting in the air.
“Are you ready for this?” I ask, noticing that he twitches about every five seconds: adjusting his tie, pulling at his jacket, or raking a hand through his hair.
He grunts.
I look away from him. Clearly, he’s dreading this.
The assistant at the desk calls our name, and we head inside the room. The chamber is cold and stark, and my tension amplifies. The officiant waits for us behind a desk, dressed in judge’s robes. Two witnesses, employees obviously, stand by. There’s no photographer, no family, no friends. It suits me just fine. Right?
The ceremony starts before I realize it, or maybe I’m in a daze.
The officiant speaks, his voice echoing off the walls. He speaks about love and commitment and the power of marriage. But I only hear the beating of my own heart pounding in my chest.
Graham and I turn to each other, and he repeats his vows. His lashes flutter, as if he wants to block out the words.
“I, Graham Harlan, take you to be my wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer. I promise to love you and cherish you.”
I was staring at the flower on his lapel, but at those last words, my eyes meet his. I read no emotion there, just fierce resolve.
He takes my hand and squeezes. “Emmy, it’s your turn.”
I blink, realizing I’ve zoned out. I swallow. “I, Emmy Darling, take you to be my husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer. I promise to love you and cherish you.” I feel the weight of the words inside every syllable.
The judge nods. “Today we unite two people in one of the most sacred ceremonies. What have you chosen as a token to seal the sign of your commitment?”
A knot forms in my stomach.
“Rings, Your Honor,” Graham murmurs.
“Please exchange rings,” he replies.
Graham slides a slender band on my finger, nestling it next to the solitaire.
The judge looks at me, and I throw a questioning glance at Graham.
“I have it,” he says as he gives it to me, and I slide the band on his finger. There, it’s done.
“Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss.”
Graham brushes his lips over mine for a second, and then it’s done.
He threads his fingers through mine as we leave the courthouse and walk down the steps. There’s a crowd of people at the bottom and a crew from ESPN. My stomach pitches. I’m still processing the wedding.
“Are they here for you?”
He heaves out a sigh, resignation in his gray eyes. “I thought it would be a good idea to have some photos of us leaving the courthouse. I meant to tell you, but . . .”
“You can’t seem to think straight either.”
A small laugh comes from him. “I was nervous as hell. You?”
“Absolutely terrified. Still am. We’re really married.” My chest rises. “I don’t feel any different, do you?”
“I’m glad it’s you, Emmy. You know that, right?” He glances back at the reporters. “It’s better to rip the Band-Aid off, or they’ll be chasing us around for photos for weeks. This way we can get it out of the way. Can you handle it?”
I school my face and drape my hand over my heart. “Sir. I won an Academy Award at the Golden Iguana. Of course I can manage.”
He laughs, his dimples popping out. “Good.”
“Graham, Graham!” calls a reporter with an ESPN lanyard around her neck.
He smiles at her. “Hi, Shelly.”
She inches closer to us. “Everyone wants to know. Have you been cleared to play this fall?”
I hide my surprise that the first question isn’t about his marriage but his football career. It reminds me of how important he is to New York.