The Professional Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book Three by Lucy McConnell

watched as she lifted the cup to her lips and took a hesitant sip. “Hmm.” She closed her eyes and let the warmth spread through her. It was the exact same way she’d felt when she first saw Rym’s picture back in Pamela’s office.
    She opened her eyes and caught Rym staring. He quickly turned to look out the back window so he could pull out of the spot and get them to City Hall.
    Rym cleared his throat. Amber expected questions about Jeremy. Instead he asked, “So, your best friend married ex number one?”
    Taking a large gulp of hot chocolate, Amber nodded before answering. “I set them up about a week before our divorce.”
    Rym looked at her out of the corner of his eye. He wasn’t throwing out totally interested body language. His right hand was up high on the steering wheel, his elbow straight and his shoulder almost touching his ear. “Sounds interesting,” he said though his tone was flat.
    Amber talked the rest of the way to the courthouse. When he went to shut the car off, Amber placed her hand on his arm and felt that hot chocolate feeling rushing though her once again. “Wait.” She dug around in her huge purse. Seriously, she should have brought the smaller one, but this big bag doubled as a carry-on and she’d packed everything from her wallet to a change of underwear in case the airline lost her luggage. Finally, in one of the many zippered pockets, she found the ring boxes. Suddenly nervous, Amber tucked her hair behind her ear. “Usually the marriage happens in Pamela’s office, and they take care of all this stuff.” She opened the smaller box to reveal a huge diamond ring. “This is mine, but I thought you might like to carry it in. it would be weird if I had to dig it out and hand it to you in front of the judge.”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Rym snapped the lid shut and held tight to the box as if he were afraid he’d lose it somewhere between the car and the ceremony. “Is that mine?” he pointed to the larger box.
    “Yes, but you don’t get to see; otherwise it’s bad luck.” She undid her seatbelt and then looked right into Rym’s eyes, causing her ability to breathe to fly far, far away. The icy blue color sparked with interest, humor, and the smallest hint of fear. “You ready for this?” she asked.
    Rym hesitated, and then his words burst forth like water through a dam. “This marriage is real. It’s not sparkles and fairy dust, or even the dying wish of an old man—this is life—my life. We are about to pledge fidelity, loyalty, and every part of ourselves to this union. It’s enormous—how are you so calm?” Using the handle on the door, Rym rolled down the window to let in cold air. 
    Ignoring the goose bumps on her arms, Amber leaned close. “Hey.” She ran her palm over his forearm in a soothing gesture.
    Her contact didn’t slow down his breathing and it made her heart speed up. However, it did bring him out of his head, where the panic button was being repeatedly pushed, and made him focus on her. 
    She gave his hand a little squeeze. “You can do this.”
    He shook his head. Using his free hand, he rubbed at his beard. “Amber, I can’t get married. Look at me, I’m a mess.”
    Amber chuckled as if his distress were as cute as a puppy chasing its tail. If she allowed her thrumming pulse to send her over the edge, nothing would be accomplished. He pulled his hand out from under hers and leaned back against his door.
    Amber stayed where she was. “Did you know that most men marry a woman hoping she will never change? And most women marry a man hoping he will rise to the potential they see inside.” She picked a piece of lint off her knee. “I don’t see how this is any different, except that we’re honest about it going into the marriage. Not only that, it’s in my job description to help you reach that potential.” She looked up at the courthouse and then back to him. “I’m not going to remind you of all the reasons you want to do this—you