Marriage by Law

I turned the water to ice-cold, wringing my fingers under it. It was still a nice stone. I'm pretty sure every other lady would love to have a ring like that.

I looked in the mirror at the dark eyes that stared back at me. They looked… happy? I waved my hands in the air and pulled off my towel, letting my long black hair fall down my shoulders. It looked like most of the orange had gone since I couldn't visibly see any powder left.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting it spread so it would dry faster.

I looked down to see I left the tap open and swore, hurrying to shut it off.

"Nice one, Ivory," I muttered, turning it close when my hand accidentally hit the ring, sending it tumbling into the sink.

"Oh shit, no!" I slammed my hand down the sink but the ring just slipped under my fingers.

"Shit," I muttered, looking up only to stare at horrified eyes staring back at me.

"Oh my god, oh my god, I'm going to die," I chanted as I shoved clothes on as fast as I could and ran a hand through my hair.

I opened the door looking in. Silence, nothing.

Thank god he wasn't back yet.

I stepped out of the bathroom, running to my suitcase and grabbing flats out and shoving them on.

"What do I do?” I know. Notify hotel staff for a wedding ring. Perfect. Genius, Ivory.

I pulled the last flat on, rushing to the door and opening and was running out when I slammed into the chest of someone standing outside. I looked up as I rubbed my nose.

"Ow," I exclaimed as Darius looked down at me in confusion. He was holding his key card in his hand.

"Oh, you're awake," he said.

"Yea?" I said and then realised I was using my left hand. I quickly pulled it out of his eyesight, placing them both on the arch of my back as I leaned back.

"So," I said, standing in the doorway leaning back on my feet.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Of course. I'm just going to, you know, step out for a moment," I said, smiling. Darius looked confused, more than confused as he stared at me and then nodded.

"Are you sure? Because you're just standing in the doorway."

"Yep!" I quickly stepped outside so I can let him in.

"I'm going to go find Adrian!" In my mind, I added, Don't wait up! I shoved my hands in the pockets of my jeans and then walked toward Adrian’s suite.

"He's not there. He's probably getting breakfast downstairs or something," said Darius when he saw the direction I was taking.

"Of course," I said, turning around and shoving my hands in my back pocket. I gave him a huge smile as I continued walking.

Just then he said, "Wait for me. I'll just change and we can get breakfast."

Oh no! Oh shit! I can't eat with a fork when you can clearly see the big stone missing.

"I'll be downstairs," I said and hurried my pace before he can catch up.

I heard him say something but I already reached the elevator. I pressed the buttons. No, more like smashing them and cursing under my breath.

Nice one, Ivory. Did you really have to take the ring off? Who cares if it had soap all over it and was sticky? You should have just kept it on your damn finger.

Like Beyonce said, if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it. But then I didn't like it. I mean, I liked it but not –

The sound of the elevator opening snapped me out of my thoughts and I stepped in, smiling at the old couple that was there.

I shifted on my feet, noticing the uneasy feeling in my stomach and I was sure that it wasn't because the elevator just went down the floors in the building.

"Sorry," I said as I accidentally shoved someone when I rushed out of the elevator. Where the hell was the breakfast area? I stood in the middle of the hall looking around and saw wooden double doors.

Yep, that must be it!

I was just about to open the doors when I heard a voice behind me. "Ivory?"

I turned around, expecting to see Darius. Don't tell me he already caught up with me? Why can’t guys take ages to get ready, too?

"Yes?" I asked in confusion when I didn't see anyone I recognised but saw the guy standing in front of me.

"Are you looking for something?" he asked and I raised an eyebrow. Do I know him? He was wearing a black and white suit without the tie and looked a bit too professional as he stared at me.

He stood tall and had his hands clasped in front of him. Blonde hair and blue eyes. Nope, I definitely haven't seen him before.

"I was looking for the banquet hall?" I said, pointing to the door behind me.

He smiled. "That would be the cigar room. The banquet is that one." He turned around and pointed to the glass doors.

"Oh, well, thanks." I gave him a nod and started hurrying over and paused to look back at him.

"Have we met?" I asked but he had already disappeared. Strange.

I shrugged, pushing the doors open and stepping in. Ah, the smell of sausages and hash browns.

No, no time to eat. I need to find Adrian, which was easy enough. While everyone else was busy eating, he was standing at the counter, no doubt flirting with the waitress.

Typical, I muttered under my breath as I hurried over to him.

N.K. Pockett's books