Final Touch

Final Touch
Nathan’s POV

“Pull in here,” I said, pointing toward the elegant entrance of the Willow Creek Complex.

Kayla slowed the car, brows furrowed in clear confusion as she turned into the driveway. 

She parked neatly between two luxury vehicles and killed the engine, staring at the fancy signage that read “Eternal Moments Studio.”

“Relax,” I told her, turning in my seat so I could face her fully. “I just need to add some finishing touches to our marriage.”

She let out a short laugh, but there was no real humor in it. “Nathan… this is a fake marriage. You keep forgetting that part.”

“Regardless,” I said softly, reaching over to take her hand. My thumb brushed across her knuckles. “My feelings aren’t fake, Kayla.”

She went completely still. For a second, something vulnerable flashed across her face…a mix of surprise, fear, and maybe…hope? I decided to go all in.

Fuck waiting. 

I’m not becoming one of those idiots who realizes too late what they lost. There’s already some yoga-coach Peter dude popping up out of nowhere. I’m not losing her without a fight.

“Kayla,” I started, my voice low and steady, “I’ve been watching you for a long time. Longer than you probably realize. The first time I saw you… you were involved in a little conflict with another road user in front of an elementary school. I heard you laugh…it was this real, beautiful sound that lit up the entire place. I couldn’t look away. I thought you were already married, so I kept my distance like a coward. But I fell for you right there. Hard. Your strength, the way you protect your son, how you keep pushing even when life keeps knocking you down… I want to be the man who stands beside you. The one who makes things easier. The one you can lean on.”

I watched her eyes grow misty, her lips parting slightly.

“I’m crazy about you,” I continued, voice dropping even lower. “Not pretend. Not temporary. Real. I want to wake up next to you everyday. I want to help raise Caden. I want to be the safe place you’ve never had. Please…give me a chance to prove I can be the man you deserve, Kayla. I swear on everything, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

When I finished, her eyes were glistening. One tear slipped down her cheek. I reached out slowly and wiped it away with my thumb, letting my hand linger on her soft skin.

“Please,” I whispered.

She let out a shaky breath and gave me a small, watery smile. “I already know.”

I froze. “What?”

“Holly told me everything,” she admitted quietly. “She said you’ve been in love with me for a long while now, but I couldn’t understand it.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Hold on… Everything?”

She gave me a weird look. “Is there more? She only told me to give you a chance because you’ve liked me for a long time.”

Thank God Holly didn’t spill that the marriage is actually real. I want to be the one to tell her that myself.

I let out a relieved breath and squeezed her hand tighter. “So, Kayla…will you give me a chance? I want to be your man. For real.”

She looked down at our joined hands, conflicted. “I don’t want to get hurt again, Nathan. I’m scared.”

I unbuckled my seatbelt, leaned over, and pulled her into a hug. I rubbed her back gently, breathing in her scent. “I would never hurt you. You’ve carried so much weight all by yourself for years. It’s time to let me carry it. I don’t work out every day for nothing… I can handle all of it, baby. Just let me in.”

She sniffed, then suddenly laughed and slapped my back…right on my injured shoulder.

“Ow!” I yelped like a big baby, pulling back with an exaggerated wince.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” She looked genuinely panicked.

I milked it. “The doctor said I need proper rest. My wife has to take care of me and give me all her attention so I can recover quickly.”

She burst out laughing, shaking her head. “That is not what the doctor said.”

“It so is,” I grinned back at her.

God, I love this moment. She’s relaxed. She’s smiling at me like I’m not the enemy anymore. I’ll do anything to keep her looking at me like this.

She didn’t give me a response…but I could tell that she feels something now.

After a comfortable silence, I asked softly, “Shall we?”

We got out of the car. I reached for her hand, and this time she didn’t pull away. I exhaled in quiet victory. She’s finally opening up to me.

As I led her toward the photography studio, she asked, “Why are we here, Nathan?”

“It’s an important detail missing at home. We need to fix it.”

The second we stepped inside the bright, elegant studio, her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Why exactly are we here, Nathan?!” She sounded exactly like an angry mom who just caught her kid sneaking out.

“Every married couple has wedding pictures framed in their home,” I explained calmly. “What if someone important comes over? Police? Officials? We need to look legit.”

She crossed her arms. “You’re an officer. Handle it.”

“Not my department, Kayla. I told you before.”

She groaned dramatically. “This marriage is fake. Why are you directing all this drama?”

“Didn’t you agree to give me a chance to be the man in your life?” I stepped closer, smirking. “Just see it as taking couple pictures with your boyfriend.”

“I did not agree. And you’re not my boyfriend.”

“Of course I’m not,” I said, leaning in with a grin. “I’m your husband.”

She let out a loud, frustrated groan but finally threw her hands up. “Fine! Let’s get this over with so I can drive you home. I still have errands to run.”

Errands? Ptff! When we get home, I’m not letting her leave.

The studio had an adjoining boutique. I changed into a sharp black tuxedo, crisp white shirt, and polished shoes. 

It hurt like hell pulling it over my bandaged shoulder, but I powered through. This mattered.

I sat waiting in the main studio. Then the curtains parted.

Kayla stepped out in a stunning white wedding gown. It was elegant and fitted…lace details on the bodice, flowing softly from the waist, hugging her curves perfectly. 

Her hair was swept up with a few loose strands framing her face. She looked breathtaking. Like the dress was made specifically for her.

I was whipped. Completely drooling as my eyes moved up and down.

“Nathan!” she called, snapping me out of it.

“You look… absolutely beautiful,” I said, voice low and sincere. “Like you were always meant to walk toward me like this.”

She smiled shyly. “You look really handsome too.”

The photographer directed us to a part in the studio designed for the shoot. “You’re a married couple. Act like one!”

I noticed her awkwardness and pulled her closer, hand on her waist. 

“Hey, keep your eyes on me…okay? Just pretend it’s only you and I in this room,” I whispered to her as our foreheads touched. 

I smiled down at her softly. She smiled back, eyes sparkling and the camera flashed.

“Perfect!”

We took more photos…laughing, close embraces, romantic looks. When we finished, I handed the salesperson my card. “Package the outfits. We’re taking them home.”

Kayla whispered, “Weren’t we just renting?”

“Of course not,” I replied. “I plan on making you fall in love with me. And when we have our real wedding, I want to see you walking down the aisle in that dress as my bride.”

She blushed.

Kayla? Blushing? Oh my days.

I was buzzing with adrenaline and joy when I turned to the studio guy. “I want the pictures and frames ready today. How long?”

“Two hours.”

“Perfect. One big wedding frame, one small for my office desk, and another for the hallway.”

He nodded and got to work.

“Let’s go check out the mall in the other building while we wait,” I suggested.

She agreed. We left the studio hand in hand.

We were about to walk into the mall when Kayla’s phone rang. Her brow furrowed as she pulled it out. 

The moment she saw the screen, her entire demeanor changed…face tense, shoulders stiff.