Julieta
So many different things ran through my mind when I reasoned with myself that marrying Vincent Castillo would be fine. First and foremost, that I’d be saving Travis and ultimately Rae. That while I might be married, I’d still be the same person.
I’d get to move back home and be closer to Rae and Travis. I would even have the pressure of where I worked lifted. The rush of trying to make my way to the top so my résumé would look as shiny as possible would be gone because now I could take my time. I would just live in a fancy home with a handsome roommate. No biggie. I’ll still be me.
I was so wrong about everything else besides the saving Travis part. I think I knew I was wrong even when I thought that crap in my head. The second Vincent slid the ring onto my finger and then pulled me in for a kiss, I knew I’d never be the same.
His kiss might have looked like nothing to anyone else. He only pressed his mouth against mine, but it wasn’t. He’d pulled me into him. His hands grabbed ahold of me, his fingers digging in to tighten his grip as he pressed his mouth firmly against mine. It felt possessive. Like he was claiming his ownership of me. It scared me, and not in the way it should have.
It should have made me worry that he was controlling or domineering. That had been the furthest thing from my mind at that moment. What actually scared me was for the first time I felt like I truly belonged to someone. Then to think about that being taken away is what sent fear shooting through me.
Sure, I belong to Rae in our own way. But still, she has Travis. Her twin. They have a special connection. I’ve never gotten to have the true special connection with someone who would only ever have it with me. In that kiss, after they pronounced us man and wife, as I looked into Vincent's eyes, I saw the possibility of having that with this man. Which is utterly insane. I don’t even know him. We literally have an expiration date. The possibility of heartbreak is written all over this.
Clearly, this man has some commitment issues or something if he needs a fake wife. I need to be very careful. If I’m already having all these crazy thoughts, this man could ruin me.
After we said our vows, we signed the marriage licenses, and Barns and Aaron left while Carson stayed so that Vincent could sign the contract that made his promises to me about a payout and such. He was actually rather generous. There are a handful of other things gifted in it as well. All of this, including him, seems a little bit too good to be true.
“If you don’t like it, we can get you something else.” I jerk my head up from staring at the ring on my finger.
“It’s not real, is it?” He cocks his head to the side, fighting a laugh. “I mean, really Vincent.” A laugh bubbles up from me as I hold my hand up.
The pear-shaped diamond is classic. It’s my favorite kind of cut. It’s simple, but for some reason I think it’s a bit sexy but in an understated way. I’m wearing one now, but it’s a pendant on my necklace. I’ve had it for years, but it’s fake. I got it at Kohls during some Black Friday deal Rae dragged me out to stand in line for. I think I still cringed when I saw the price tag on it, and it was only fifty dollars. I don’t even want to know what this ring cost Vincent.
“If you really don’t like it, we can change it out,” he offers again. He’s still smiling, which puts me at ease that I’m not irritating him with the possibility of not liking something he gave me.
A something that likely cost more than most cars. Usually stones this big have flaws but this one looks flawless. It’s shiny and perfect. I swear it fits as though it were made precisely for me.
“It’s beautiful, but I could hurt someone with this thing,” I tease. “All joking aside, I am scared that I could lose it or knock the stone off. It had to be crazy expensive. I don’t even want to know how many carats it is.”
“It’s insured.” He shrugs. “Knock it around all you like, but I do expect for you to keep it on.” My eyes go to his wedding band. It’s simple with a light texture to it. I’d felt it when I slipped it onto his finger, but instead of gold, it’s a matte black. It fits him well.
“It’s been over an hour since she landed! I know she’s here. I’m not waiting another second to see her.” I hear Rae’s voice coming from the hallway.
“She’s shouting. That means she’s pissed.” It takes a lot to get Rae worked up.
“Is she in there?” The doorknob wiggles but doesn’t open. “JJ! Are you in there?” She bangs on the door with what sounds like all her might. I rush over to open it, knowing that once Rae sets her mind on something, there will be no stopping her. Especially when it comes to me.
“Hey!” I say as I pull it open. A squeal leaves her as she goes in for a hug, almost tackling me, but two arms brace me from behind. Vincent keeps me steady on my feet.
“You’re here,” she whispers loudly into my ear.
“I’m here.” I hug her back, not wanting to let go. It’s been so hard, next to impossible, to see each other over the last two years. Sure, we text throughout the day and talk on the phone every day at the end of our nights, but this is different. It’s going to be nice being back and able to see her whenever I want.
“They can do this for like thirty minutes,” Travis says. I lean my head over an inch, out of Rae’s blond hair, to see Travis standing behind her. I want to be angry with him, but it’s kind of hard when his wrongdoing brought Vincent into my life.
“I knew you’d come. I’m sorry I pulled you into this,” Rae says as she drops her arms from around me.
I see the guilt and worry written all over her face. It may not be evident to other people, but I know her like the back of my hand.
“Of course I’d come if you need me. Nothing could keep me away.” I bop her nose with my finger. Something I’ve done since we were kids. It’s my way of letting her know that everything is going to be okay. “Hey, Trav.” I go to step forward to give him a hug, too, but I’m stopped when Vincent’s arm wraps around my waist from behind and pulls me back into him. I drop my head back a few inches and look up to see him towering over me from behind.
“Wait.” Rae’s eyes go big. “No.” She shakes her head adamantly. “Not yet. Right? We were supposed to talk before you did anything.”
“Shit,” Travis mumbles, running his hand through his unruly, shaggy blond hair.
“You married her.” She puts her hands on her hips, glaring up at Vincent. Oh crap, she’s pissed. She may be tiny, but she’s still a force to be reckoned with when she gets mad. It doesn’t happen often. It takes her a lot to get there.
“Maybe we should step into Vincent’s office,” I say. A few people have poked their heads out from their offices to see what is going on. “Actually, do you think we can have a moment alone?” I ask Vincent, wanting to try to calm Rae down before she does anything she might regret.