Chapter 2

Lenora’s POV

Callum opens his mouth, but before he can say anything, Tatum calls out.

“Cal, come help me with this mess! I have no idea what I’m doing!”

She stands on the scraps of my dress, scratching her head.

He laughs and shakes his head. “And you think I do?”

The jacket around her shoulders came from the same independent designer as my wedding dress.

The designer had already retired. All I’d done was say I liked their work.

Callum flew overseas more than a dozen times, asking until they finally agreed to make my gown and his suit.

When the dress arrived, he was even more careful with it than I was. He said we should keep it as a family heirloom.

It hasn’t even made it through the wedding.

Callum and Tatum crouch beside the pile to talk, and she picks up a scrap of tulle and drapes it over his head.

Then she ducks underneath it with him until their noses touch.

For a second, he just stares at her.

“Aw, what’s wrong? Am I making you nervous?”

“Don’t be gross.” He laughs and pulls the fabric off.

She shoves him onto his back, straddles him, and starts tickling him.

“You think I’m gross? You’re gonna pay for that!”

They roll around together while the guests settle back into their seats, talking loudly enough for me to hear.

“Rich people are fucking weird. Hiring extras to play wedding guests, just for a laugh?”

“Wait, it’s fake? The bride seems pretty serious.”

“She’s the only one who is. See any of her family or friends here?”

“The groom’s parents are actors, too. They just got better parts than the rest of us.”

“What the hell did she do to deserve that? They practically turned this into a porno.”

I shut the door on the whole sickening scene.

Back in my room, I start taking off my makeup and realize my face is wet with tears.

Tatum has already rolled around on our wedding bed, posing for pictures. I don’t even want to sit on it.

I change into my regular clothes and take off my ring.

I wasn’t supposed to leave for my research fellowship in London until after the wedding. Once I’ve moved up my departure, I can finally breathe.

But I still can’t reach a single one of my family or friends.

A hurricane warning pops up on my phone, and my stomach tightens.

I call the police, then head out for the nearest marina.

The elevator opens, and Callum and Tatum are standing inside.

He frowns.

“Tatum was right. You’re actually gonna throw a fit and walk out.”

Tatum scoffs. “God, women are such a pain.”

Callum catches my wrist. “Let her explain.”

Tatum shrugs. “If you’re still mad about Cal being late to get your marriage license, you clearly don’t trust him.”

“He was nervous the night before. We watched some porn to help him relax.”

“We’re bros, so what if we got each other off all night? Quit making it weird.”

I say nothing, and she starts getting impatient.

“I only filmed it so he’d know what it looks like when a girl isn’t faking it. I was doing you a favor for your wedding night.”

“I wasn’t gonna show it to you. Guess Cal thought you could learn a thing or two.”

As it sinks in, I yank my hand away, sick to my stomach.

So that’s why he was exhausted the next morning and missed our appointment to get the marriage license.

And out of all the times they could have told me, they choose now?

I scrub at the skin he touched until it turns red.

His face darkens.

“Callum, there’s a hurricane coming. Where are my family and friends?”

He hesitates, then glances at Tatum. “I sent boats over.”

“A bunch of people rowing back across the water?” Tatum says. “Sounds pretty fun to me.”

Her phone vibrates, and she glances down at it.

“Oh, there’s a hurricane? Guess they’d better be careful.”