Paused at the back with her hand gripping her father’s arm, Brooke radiated tension. Her dad took a step, but she didn’t move, her face blanching. Her eyes squeezed shut, and she shook her head at whatever question her father asked.
She’s backing out.
It would be the ultimate humiliation, especially when word got out to the media. He ought to be upset with her, but instead, he felt sympathy.
Shaking off Finn’s restraining arm, Cole trotted down the short chapel aisle. He put his arm around Brooke’s shoulder and wedged her away from her dad.
She jumped when she opened her eyes and saw him, her tears welling. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He lifted the bouquet from her limp grasp and handed it to the confused wedding coordinator. Then, ignoring everyone else, he retreated with her into the empty vestibule, away from listening ears. “I don’t blame you for getting cold feet. I pushed you into this.”
“That’s not it,” she said in a wobbly voice. “It was my decision.”
“Then what’s wrong?” He held her petite fingers with his hands, careful not to exert too much pressure with his mechanical hand. Her earnest expression tore at his heart.
“Would you mind being the one who files for divorce, instead of me, like we planned?”
“Why? I thought you said it would be embarrassing if I dumped you.”
“But if I’m responsible for ending the marriage, everyone will hate me. Your mother, who wants a grandbaby. My parents, who are excited to have a celebrity as their son-in-law. All your fans who’ll think I’m a jerk for leaving you.” She studied their joined hands. “I won’t be able to handle it.”
He checked over his shoulder to be certain no one was eavesdropping. At the hallway entrance to the vestibule, he could see Mack’s broad form standing guard, too far away to hear their conversation. “There’s no reason I can’t file for divorce, if that’s what you want.”
Her shoulders remained stiff. “There’s one more thing.”
“What?”
“Tell me you don’t want to be a father.”
“I don’t.” As soon as he made the declaration, he realized it wasn’t quite accurate. He dropped her hands, stuffing his in his pants pockets. “I mean… I might change my mind someday, if I can ever come to terms with what happened with my birth mom. But definitely not now. Anyway, what difference does it make?”
“It’s me and my stupid, people-pleasing personality. I want sole custody of this baby.”
“That’s guaranteed in the contract we signed.”
“I know. But if you were all sad about it, I don’t know what I would do. I’d probably let you stay in contact, and then I’d regret it.”
He could see her doing that. He wondered how many times she’d sacrificed her own happiness for someone else’s.
“You want me to divorce you and stay completely out of your life, from that point on?” Could he do that?
Her lip was doing that thing where it folded between her teeth, mesmerizing him so he almost didn’t hear her question. “Am I asking too much?”
He gave his head a little shake, refocusing on her pleading eyes. How could he disappoint her?
“I promise, after the divorce, it’ll be like we never even met. Except you’ll have a quarter million dollars, of course.”
Her brows bent. “Minus whatever money you spend on me while we’re married.”
“Don’t start that again.” He folded his arms. “We both agreed it would be too hard to keep track.”
“You said it, but I didn’t really agree.” Her lower jaw protruded. “Besides… do you know how much this dress cost?”
“Whatever I paid, it was worth it. You look amazing.” He let his gaze wander down her bare shoulders to the satin fabric that graced her curves.
Her cheeks flushed. “You really think so?”
He tilted her chin up, sorely tempted to press his lips to hers. “I’d be as blind as Bran if I didn’t notice.”
She turned her face away. “Okay. I’ll let you buy the dress. But that’s all.”
“We can talk about it on the way home tonight.” He twisted to look back inside the chapel. Though their family and friends had kept their distance, every head was craned their direction.
She swallowed, her throat bobbing, and started for the door. “I’m ready. Let’s do this before I chicken out again.”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him. “Before we do this, there’s something you need to know.”
Brooke’s skin tingled where Cole’s thumb caressed her hand, distracting her so that his words barely registered. She pulled free of his grasp, trying to recall what he’d just said.
“What do I need to know?” she asked.
Cole wrinkled his forehead. “My mother brought her brother along to do the ceremony.”
“Is that a bad thing?” She blinked, picking up on his anxiety.
“No, but he’s an ordained minister.”
