Chapter 3
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Maeve popping up out of nowhere threw Byron for a loop. He been on the phone and didn’t really catch what she said. Frowning, he asked. “Wait, what did you just say?”
“I asked if you’d think about marrying me, Maeve said, imustering up all her courage.
In fact, this wasn’t her first run–in with Byron Just last night, on her way to drop off hangover meds to Jeff, she’d walked by an alley and saw Byron getting chased and beaten up.
He was covered in blood, lying on the ground. Without a second thought, she jumped in to save him, and he’d also promised her a favor in return.
Worried Byron might think she was nuts, she added, “Actually, I saved your life last night. You remember?”
Byron paused, narrowing his eyes as a flicker of recognition crossed his face. “That was you?”
“Yup, that was me,” she confirmed, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.
“So this is your big ask?” Byron’s gaze turned icy as he studied Maeve’s slightly flushed face.
He’d been puzzled why she didn’t ask for anything that night, but now he figured it out–she must’ve figured out who he was, and realized marrying him was way better than a quick favor. ‘Was all that kindness just a front? What a phony woman!
At that thought, disdain flickered in his eyes as he looked at Maeve, his expression turning distant. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
Caught up in her own nerves, Maeve didn’t notice the chill in his tone and quickly nodded. “Yes,” said she.
Looking at the worn and faded hem of his suit, Maeve figured he didn’t have much going for him. And with what she’d seen last night, it was clear he was in deep trouble. She knew marrying a complete stranger, especially a guy like him, was a big gamble, but she was really at her wit’s end.
On the bright side, Byron was way better looking than Jeff. Just looking at him feels like a win, she thought. ‘Marrying him doesn’t seem like a loss at all.
Byron’s long silence started to make Maeve uneasy. Just when she thought about backing out, assuming he was going to turn her down, Byron finally lifted his chin with a cool shrug. “Fine. Let’s go,” said he.
With his family pushing him to get married today, it felt like the right move; he needed to settle down anyway. At this point, any girl would do.
Maeve, still a bit dazed, blinked and asked, “Where to?”
Byron shot her an impatient look. “Didn’t you say you wanted to get married?” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed for the entrance of the city hall.
“Oh! Right!” Maeve scrambled to keep up.
Half an hour later, Maeve walked out of the city hall, clutching the newly issued marriage license, feeling like she was in a daze. She kept glancing at Byron’s sharp profile beside her, barely able to believe any of this was real.
This was, hands down, the wildest thing Maeve had ever done in her twenty–three years–marrying a complete stranger. As for Byron, he was as cold as ice and hadn’t smiled once the whole time.
Walking next to Byron, Maeve felt a weird mix of excitement and dread about what was coming next.
Now that they were officially married, she figured she should at least make some effort. She pulled out a spare key to her
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Chapter 3
apartment and handed it to him.
“Here’s the key to my place,” she said, keeping it casual. “Pinehurst Apartments, number 1008. Move in whenever you’re ready. And since you’re hurt, if you need help with your stuff, just let me know.”
Byron narrowed his eyes. “So moving in is part of the deal now?
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