newly refurbished historical building. Kelly had checked online. The city had provided everything to make a wedding complete, from flowers to photographers, costume jewelry to a beautiful wedding chapel. New York City’s mayor wanted to give Las Vegas a run for its money and make Manhattan the number one hot spot for marriages in the U.S.A. Looking around, Kelly believed he was doing it.
“I completed the initial application information online earlier this morning.”
Kelly frowned. “You did?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t have all of your info. Come on.”
Evan led them to an open window where a young man waved them forward. When they approached, recognition clicked in his eyes. Clearly a celebrity follower, the grin that creased his face had Kelly slowing her steps. Evan squeezed her hand in reassurance and cast her a smile. Below his breath he said, “Piece of cake, darlin’. This happens all the time.”
The guy adjusted his black-rimmed rectangular glasses. “Evan McKenna, NCTV, right?”
Evan glanced at the nameplate in the window. “Yes, Thomas, and this is Miss Kelly Sullivan and we’re applying for a marriage license.”
Thomas’s glance rested on Matt, who stood on tiptoes to see the man.
Thomas leaned closer to have eye contact with Matt. “Hello, little man. Are you here as witness?”
Matt’s eyes lit up with pride. “My mom is marrying Evan. He’s my dad.”
Thomas had the good grace to say nothing. From the raised eyebrows and the grin tugging at his mouth, he clearly recognized Matt and Kelly from Jay Doyle’s scandalous report. Kelly had no doubt his friends would be hearing about this encounter all too soon. Knowing how fast their actions could be broadcast should this young man choose to pick up a phone, Kelly became convinced that the sooner they got married the better. She wanted Campbell’s concerns about being targeted as Matt’s father appeased and to get him off their backs as quickly as possible.
Evan said, “We’re already in the computer, if you’ll just search my name.”
Thomas typed Evan’s name into his keyboard. “Here it is.” He held out a hand and smiled. “I’ll need identification from both of you to begin...”
On the ride back uptown, Kelly felt numb. She sat in the back of the limo with Matt between her and Evan watching the city pass by, yet seeing nothing. The entire scene in the marriage bureau occupied her mind. Those few minutes had seemed surreal. Watching Thomas efficiently process their license, print it out and hand it to them for signatures left her breathless. At exactly eleven-fifteen, her hand trembled when she took the pen Evan offered her to sign first. She was relieved when her name flowed with little trepidation, leaving a feminine, Catholic school-honed signature that presented confidence.
Evan signed his space with a flourish in clear, beautiful penmanship. She found an odd satisfaction in liking his signature. If his handwriting was any reflection, she could feel sure that she’d just bound herself to an honest and happy man.
Yet still, she didn’t feel the excitement a woman should feel about marrying a man she could never live without. Perhaps she was never meant to know true love. She glanced at Evan. He was on the phone with his attorney confirming their appointment to perform the ceremony in his office at two tomorrow. Her stomach knotted. She exhaled a cleansing breath. She could do this.
Matt broke the silence, disappointment clear on his face. “That was boring. I thought we were going to a party.”
Kelly laughed. “The party will be another day, honey. This was just the business end of getting married.”
She and Evan hadn’t discussed a celebration. Honestly, she’d just prefer to get married and carry on their days as if nothing had changed. She tried to inhale, only to discover she could not.
Evan caught Kelly’s gaze over Matt’s head. “You okay?”
Was she okay? Yes. And, no. Yes, because she was doing what needed to be done to keep her son safe. She would be eternally grateful that Evan had chosen to help protect them. His sacrifice alone endeared him to her. Then, no, she wasn’t okay, because deep inside she wanted to be in love with Evan. As much as they had formed a beautiful friendship, and heaven knew his looks could set any red-blooded woman to making designs on him, she wanted to feel head over heels, full of love and trust for him. Those feelings did not exist and she felt guilty.
She pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m a bit overwhelmed, that’s all.”
His understanding