Locked Out of My Own Wedding - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

When Alexander's silhouette finally vanished from sight, I waved Noah over.
"Get down from there. The show's over - and that railing's not exactly safety-approved."
Noah's boyish face flushed crimson as he scrambled back over the balcony with surprising agility.
Olivia's eyes went wide. "You knew the whole time?"
I chuckled. "Not the whole time. Just from the moment he started his dramatic monologue."
Olivia shot her brother an exasperated look. "Then why play along with our little performance?"
I glanced at Noah. "If I hadn't humored you, how were you planning to end this? Were you actually going to take a swan dive?"
Olivia choked on her own spit, coughing violently.
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I teased, "I know you meant well. Really, I've got this. Cross my heart - no more Alexander."
She squirmed uncomfortably. "As long as you're sure."
As we turned to leave the rooftop, Noah's voice stopped us cold. "Not everything was an act."
Olivia took one look between us and practically teleported out of there.
I froze, then turned with my best clueless expression. "Hmm?"
He looked down at me - when had he gotten so tall? - and said quietly, "The crush part. That's real."
I'd heard the sincerity beneath his awkward jokes and theatrics. But fresh out of a marathon relationship, all I felt was exhaustion.
Just as I prepared my diplomatic brush-off, Noah stepped closer. The rising sun silhouetted his frame, his shadow swallowing me whole.
In that moment, it hit me again - the little boy I'd known was gone. This was a man standing before me.
His voice was steady: "I'm only two years behind you. No ex-girlfriend baggage. Same alma mater - you know my credentials. Landed a research position this year. Sure, my salary trails Alexander's... for now. But give me twelve months."
"Most importantly? When I choose someone, they come first. Always."
His earnestness demanded an honest response. As I scrambled for gentle let-down words, he ducked his head.
"You gonna make me cry too?" he asked.
My heart suddenly pounded like festival drums.
I must have lost my damn mind.
Seven years with Alexander before agreeing to marriage - and even then insisting on the ceremony before paperwork - because I'd seen too many couples implode over wedding disputes.
Turns out my caution wasn't misplaced.
Yet here I was, melting because Noah gave me puppy-dog eyes.
He claimed I'd promised him that marriage license.
Which explains why we're now standing outside the courthouse, sunlight warm on our faces, that little red book burning a hole in my palm.
It feels surreal.
But that's alright.
I know when to fold 'em.
If this marriage stops giving me more than it takes, I'll walk away clean.
Though something tells me Noah won't let that happen.
Watching his poorly concealed grin, I feel my own lips curving in response.
Now comes the fun part: breaking the news to our parents.
And... oh God, Olivia.