He Gave Her an Hour, I Chose Another Groom in Seconds Chapter 01
I booked the very first appointment at city hall for our marriage license. I’d wanted us to be the first couple to get our certificate.
But Silas Johnson showed up an hour late.
I was just about to snap when my best friend Willa leaned out from the passenger seat to apologize. “I’m so sorry, Chloe. Silas went out of his way to pick me up, so we got held up a little. I couldn’t miss witnessing you two getting married!”
I clenched my jaw and swallowed my frustration, forcing myself to grab a new ticket number.
When our number was finally called, I linked arms with Silas and stood to go forward.
Right then, Willa called out. “Wait! My stomach hurts badly. I need to run to the restroom. Grab a later ticket and wait for me, okay?”
I kept walking without breaking stride.
Silas, however, sank straight back down into his chair and smiled at her. “Go ahead. I’ll wait for you, no rush.”
My expression turned icy. I glanced over at him. “Silas, we don’t have time. We only have one hour left before the lunch break. We have a wedding dress fitting scheduled at noon.”
He barely lifted his eyes, mindlessly scrolling his phone with obvious impatience. “What’s the big hurry? Signing the marriage license only takes three minutes.”
His screen lit up. On it was an order confirmation for a limited-edition necklace for Willa. I’d begged Silas for that exact necklace dozens of times, and he’d always claimed it sold out instantly.
A bitter laugh rose in my throat.
I stopped trying to persuade him and called the man I’d been clashing with for years instead.
“You told me you’d do anything to be with me. If you can make it to city hall before they close this morning, we’ll get married.”
***
There was a beat of silence on the other end, followed by his low, husky laugh. “I’ll be there!”
I hung up and sat back down beside Silas.
He was still scrolling through his phone and handed me a newly printed queue slip. “I got another ticket. There are five couples ahead of us. Willa texted to say she’s almost done. Relax, we’ll make it for sure.”
I was about to say more, when Willa hurried out of the restroom and plopped down right next to Silas.
She leaned against his shoulder and craned her neck to peek at the ticket in my hand. “Are we up soon? How many people are in front?”
My gaze drifted to Silas.
He didn’t pull away. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Willa’s waist to steady her, afraid she might slip off the seat.
“Still a while. Silas, let’s start a game. Waiting like this is so boring.”
I cut in. “Silas, don’t start. You said getting licensed only takes three minutes. There are just three couples ahead; we’re almost next.”
But Willa had already pulled out her phone and opened the game, grinning and waving her screen toward me. “You don’t get it if you don’t play, Chloe. One match goes fast, it won’t hold up your license appointment.”
She turned to urge Silas on. “Hurry and log in.”
Silas nodded and tossed me a dismissive look. “Don’t overreact. Getting married’s no big deal. Keep an ear out for our number, just call me when it’s time.”
After that, he leaned in shoulder-to-shoulder with Willa, both glued to their screens, game sound effects crackling nonstop.
I stared at their heads pressed close together, a sharp ache swelling in my chest. I said nothing more, just crumpled the queue slip tighter and tighter in my fist.
Less than twenty minutes later, the automated announcement echoed through the lobby: “Party number nine, please proceed to the window for your marriage license.”
I nudged Silas’s arm. “It’s us. Let’s go.”
Silas’s eyes remained fixed on his game, but he pushed himself to his feet. “Alright, this match is wrapping up anyway.”
Willa immediately reached out and tugged him back down into his seat. “Not yet! Focus, Silas. Sit and finish properly. They call each number three times. We’ve got a minute or two. I’m not losing this match!”
Silas made a move to sit back down.
My temper snapped completely. My voice came out low and sharp. “Silas. What matters more—getting married, or this game?”
He noticed how furious I sounded and glanced up quickly.
Even so, he settled back into the chair and let out an exasperated laugh. “Why are you blowing up over nothing? It’ll just be a minute. Besides, Willa’s your best friend. She asked me to play; I can’t just ignore her.”
The announcement rang out a second time: “Party number nine, please proceed to the window for your marriage license.”
I had no choice. I snatched Silas’s phone away and urged him forward. “Quit the game. Come sign the papers.”
Silas stood slowly, frowning at me. “It’s just one game. I don’t understand why you’re throwing a fit. Fine, let’s go.”
The final automated alert sounded: “Party number nine, please proceed to the window for your marriage license.”
We’d barely taken two steps when Willa whined, clutching Silas’s sleeve and stumbling. “My calf! It’s cramping! Silas, it hurts so bad.”
Silas spun around without hesitation and dropped to one knee. He pulled off her shoe instinctively and started massaging her ankle.
I froze on the spot, watching them, and suddenly I couldn’t help laughing.
Then the loudspeaker called again: “Party number ten, please proceed to the window for your marriage license.”
We’d missed our turn.