Bryce Santiago hadn't slept a wink the night before his wedding. It wasn't the upcoming union before God, the attempt at fraud, or even the fact that his parents would be pissed was keeping him awake. It was the fact that he was sleeping beside his fake fiancé, and she was entirely too distracting. Sure, she'd worn pajamas and kept her distance, but the small sounds of her breathing and little noises kept him distracted. He'd almost let his eyes get heavy, until she started whispering in her sleep. It started a small noise, an almost purring noise. Then she'd began to murmur a distinct "oh" sound. Great, she's having a sex dream, Bryce mused to himself. If he hadn't been awake before, clearly that wasn't helping him feel groggy. All of the fake engagement pictures had involved a lot of up close personal time with Michelle, and Bryce couldn't help but notice much he enjoyed every minute of it. But her whispers soon take a different turn as Michelle starting to whisper actually words, and Bryce couldn't help but listen.

"Bryce..." She said slowly.

He sat up in the bed, unsure if he'd heard her correctly. She repeated it, and this time with an inflection that told him exactly what he was doing to her in the dream world. Dear lord, he thought to himself. He got out of bed and turn on the shower, hoping the water would help him forget how amazing his name had sounded on her lips.

Michelle woke up, feeling flustered and upset. She'd slept like a rock, but dreamt the entire night about what it would be like to have an actual honeymoon with Bryce. She saw he was up, and that he was in the shower. As she wiped her eyes, she tried to get her head on straight. Reality and fiction were blurring in her mind, and it was more confusing than she had anticipated. She mentally went over all of the reasons she couldn't allow herself to have feelings for Bryce. He's not your boyfriend, this isn't real. he doesn't really like you, you barely know each other! Feelings will complicate things, and then you'll wind up heartbroken and broke, again. She stood up and went to grab a glass of water, filling up the cup, still thinking a million thoughts a minute. This whole situation is crazy, insane, and outrageous. you do not like your fake fiancé, you just don't. Well, she didn't like him on a deep level. Superficially speaking, he was every inch of the gorgeous frat guy most girls drooled over. Judging by her x-rated dreams, Michelle wasn't exempt from his appeal.

The door opened, and Michelle turned to see Bryce wearing just a towel around his waist. His chest was wet and the v-shape above his hips automatically attracted her eyes, causing her to blush seconds later. She was ogling him, and she wasn't awake enough to be discreet about it.

"Good morning, sunshine," Bryce said, grinning like he just had his ego stroked. "Sleep good?"

"Yes, I did," Michelle said, blushing.

"Any sweet dreams?" Bryce said, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh God, did I talk in my sleep or something?"

"Or something..."

"This is so embarrassing...."

"Don't be shy," Bryce said. "When I'm not suffering from insomnia, I'll probably have some dreams about you too."

"I said your name, Jesus,' Michelle said. "This is humiliating."

"I think it's kind of hot," Bryce said. "Besides, has anyone ever told you that you look amazing in the morning. Seriously, I have no clue why you bother to wear makeup."

"Wow, thank you," Michelle said. "But you should probably stop flirting with me until you put some clothes on."

"Are you sure you want me to put my clothes on?" Bryce said. "We don't have the chapel booked until eleven..."

"Bryce, do you ever think about anything other than sex?"

"Yes, I think about saving the world, romantic comedies, and being sensitive," Bryce said, winking at Michelle.

"Yeah, well right now I am thinking about breakfast."

"I like that too," Bryce said. "Need any help in the shower."

"Nope," Michelle said. "I think I can handle this project solo."  She closed the door behind her, leaving Bryce there grinning. The only thing he enjoyed more than listening to Michelle's dream dialogue was teasing her the next day.

***

Michelle had been in the bathroom for an hour after they had breakfast. Bryce had spent that time on his phone, looking at the internet response to his updated relationship status. His frat brothers were the most vocal, posting comments left and right. The responses ranged from "dude, she is hot" to "WTF man! You are too young to be shackled and tied up." His friend mark wrote three letters, "RIP", as if marriage was a death sentence. Michelle's friends were freaking out as well, usually asking "Who's that dude?" on the photo they'd posted. Some woman named "Britain" posted a unique response which caused Bryce to roll his eyes.

"Congrats Michelle, now you have a man other than your father to leech off of. Good luck to your fiancé."

Whoever Britain was, she was on Bryce's shit list for good. Luckily, Bryce's family was too busy for Facebook with all of his nieces and nephews having soccer games that day.

"Honey," Bryce called out ,testing out a nickname on Michelle. "What is taking so long? Didn't I tell you that you looked great in your jeans?"

"What do you know?" Michelle replied. "You took two minutes to put on your tie. My damn dress won't zip up."

Bryce knocked on the door, seeing her looking radiant. He long curls had been polishing with her hair widgets, and her subtle makeup made her eyes glow. Even with the top of the dress unzipped, the white dress she'd picked out made her look like an angel. It was a strapless dress that flared at the skirt and had a tiny amount of beading around the waist. It wasn't a traditional wedding dress, but it looked amazing on her.  Bryce felt his throat go dry as he realized how beautiful she truly was. Michelle was not just cute or sexy, but she took his breathe away. Michelle looked frustrated, however.

"I am a mess," she said. "I know it's just for show, but this dress barely fits me. It took me ten minutes to get it over my fat ass."

"Whoa," Bryce said. "What are you saying? You look amazing, like bring me to my knees and make me want to propose for real kind of amazing."

"Really?" she said. "I don't look like a fat cow?"

"Never," Bryce said. "Let me help you zip up. You just can't reach it."

He zipped it up quickly, finding it tugged easily from a different angle, and Michelle let out a noise of excitement.

"That is much better," Michelle said. "I feel pretty. Do I look ok?"

"You look hot," Bryce said. "Why are you so insecure? Did that douche bag boyfriend of yours tell you that you were fat? I can still murder him. "

"No, I've always been a little insecure about my body. I mean, I'm not a size zero."

"Well, that's ok," Bryce said. "Women drive me crazy sometimes. There are probably a million girls out there who are size zeros who think they are hideous because they don't have curves like yours. Then you look in the mirror, and see something entirely different. Don't compare yourself, look in the mirror and see what's there."

"I see a big butt, chubby arms, and wide hips."

Bryce rolled his eyes.

"I see an hourglass figure, the shape of a sexy woman, luscious lips, sparkling eyes, and yes, a big butt. From my end of things, I am a fan of the booty."

"Again, you are not a pirate, don't say booty."

"Fine," Bryce said. "Whatever you call it, I love it. I love that way you look, and I think you're an amazing girl."

"Maybe you should talk about my booty in your fake wedding vows," Michelle joked. "You seem very passionate."

She giggled, as if to hide from all of the embarrassment she felt from admitting her insecurities to Bryce. He tried to stop, but he'd been thinking about kissing her all morning. Bryce pulled her close and brushed her lips, softly at first and the more fiercely. Michelle momentarily forgot her rules about boundaries and let herself get lost, pulling on the tie of Bryce's suit and letting her lips working their magic. Bryce pushed up against her, and she could feel his enthusiasm against her thigh.

This isn't real, She reminded herself. He pulled back, and Bryce let out a frustrated sigh.

"Sorry," Michelle said, "I lost my head for a minute. I'm supposed to be the one with the self control."

"I'm only sorry you stopped," Bryce whispered. "Come on now, let's go get married."

"Sure," Michelle said. "Let's do this."

***

The chapel was quaint, in a word. It had three pews in a small house, and there were pink flowers sprinkled about with care. The minister had been waiting for them, since Bryce had been thoughtful enough to schedule an appointment.

"You must be Mr. Santiago, and the future Mrs. Santiago," the man said. "I am Reverend Smith; You can call me Mike. Welcome."

"Hello," Bryce said. "So, are were going to start this thing, I don't want her to run away now."

"Well, she is a beautiful bride," the reverend replied. "My wife and I will be your witnesses. And we just need to fill out a few forms first. But I'd like to sit with you both and discuss a few things before. Follow me."

The couple followed behind the reverend, sitting down in an office. Michelle shifted a bit nervously, but Bryce grabbed her hands and calmed her down.

"So, first of all, how did you meet?"

"I am waitress," Michelle said. "I served him at the diner, and it was love at first sight."

"That's lovely," Mike said. "So, I don't want to pry. I believe that every couple should be able to get married on their own terms. Most of the couples that come here can't afford a big wedding, and I take great pride in making their dreams come true. But I want you to know, marriage is a serious commitment. You should enter cautiously. If there is even a sliver of doubt, you both should walk away."

"I am sure," Bryce said, squeezing her hand. He looked into Michelle's eyes and saw her stiffen with nerves. "Michelle, I love you. I know we're young, but I will fight tooth and nail for you. I don't want you to feel alone anymore, because I will be with you from now on."

"Oh Bryce," Michelle said instinctively. It wasn't real, it wasn't real at all. But he seemed so sincere, and his words made her shiver. She took a deep breath, saying what she'd rehearsed.

"I love you too Bryce, and I know you'll be an amazing husband."

"Well Michelle, you can go and get your bouquet with my wife, Lisa. Bryce and I will discuss the other details. We'll use traditional vows, and take photos during and after the ceremony."

"Thank you," Michelle said. She stood up and saw an older woman waiting, and she followed her into the bathroom.

"Well you certainly look lovely," Lisa said. "And my dear, you're glowing. You must be so in love."

Michelle just nodded, and Lisa picked up a bouquet of white tiger lilies.

"It's beautiful," Michelle said. "How did you know I loved these flowers?"

"Your fiancé picked them," Lisa replied. "So, do you mind me asking what inspired you to elope. I always loved hearing people's reasons.

"Bryce's dad is laid off, and my family is distant," Michelle said. "We didn't want his parents to feel like they had to throw us a big wedding. Plus, it is just more romantic this way, I think. It's just about us, and you never know what tomorrow will bring."

Michelle has started listing clichés, but Lisa seemed to enjoy it.

"Well, I am sorry your parents can't come," Lisa said. "But we understand the need for privacy. We got married at a hitching post in Nebraska, and we've been together thirty years. You don't need a million dollar wedding, you need a good man and a good women to make a marriage."

"Bryce is a good man," Michelle said, almost as if she realized it for the first time.

"Alright, we are ready. I will videotape the ceremony. Hopefully y'all don't mind, but we have a few older couples watching. In a small town like this, sometimes the locals like to watch the weddings."

"No problem," Michelle said. "The more the merrier."

Bryce's throat was dry and his heart was exploding. He had just seen her, but still the thought her walking down to marry him in that dress had him flustered. Mom is going to kill me, probably with an axe. He also had sisters, cousins, and nieces to deal with. But none of it matter, because Bryce had other thoughts on his mind. As the music kicked up and he saw her coming towards him, he realized what he'd always thought since he met her. He was great at pretending to love her, because he was so close to being there already. Perhaps he needed time for that bond to deepen, to blossom, but the roots had taken a hold of him. He had meant every words he'd said in front of the reverend, and Michelle's heavenly vision inspired deeper feelings in him. And when he said the words, I do, surprising even himself. Bryce found that he truly meant it.

***

Michelle and Bryce went back to the hotel, a signed marriage license in hand. It had all felt so real to Michelle, the vows, the kiss. the way Bryce looked at her. She didn't say a word in the car ride home, but tried not to shake. what did I just do? She wondered. I just married Bryce, a hot and loveable complete stranger. Bryce looked at her, still smiling like a lovesick puppy. What happened to the player in the coffee shop who ran away when he realized Michelle didn't want a casual hookup? Michelle needed that guy, because that guy was safe. They got back to their hotel room, and a complimentary bottle of sparkling cider awaited them.

"The concierge sends us congratulations," Bryce said, popping the bottle.

"Hey Bryce," Michelle said. "Did you ever take acting lessons?"

"No, why do you ask that," Bryce asked. He leaned over and kissed her forehead as he handed her a glass of the free drink.

"You were just so convincing at the chapel," Michelle said. "I was a bag of nerves, but you seemed so, convincing."

"Well, I didn't really have to pretend," Bryce said. "I mean, I care about you. I will fight for you, and I do want to take care of you..."

"Bryce, we need to be clear here," Michelle said. "We are not in love. We are just friends with a common goal, and to be honest, a clear attraction to each other. But it can't go anywhere."

"Why not Michelle? I mean, I like you. I honestly think you're cool and sweet and sexy..."

Bryce leaned over kissed Michelle, causing her to momentarily forget her stance. It's not real.

"Bryce, we can't do this," Michelle said. "Boundaries, remember?"

"But why can't we try?" Bryce said. "I have a counter proposal for you. Why don't we try dating, and if it doesn't work, we go back to just dating. If it does work out, we can just stay married."

"What if it doesn't? This is too complicated."

"Ok, well, I will settle for friends with benefits," Bryce said, moving in close and trying to kiss her. "Come on, Michelle, it's our wedding night. Just take a chance on us."

"I can't," Michelle said. "I just can't go there...."

"We're here, were married, why can't we just be together?"

Michelle looked at Bryce's sincere face and felt her heart freeze. Why didn't she want to be with him, really? Because she was afraid of getting hurt. Michelle looked back at him, a war waging in her heart. Would she forget about tomorrow, through caution to the wind, and have night with Bryce?

As much as she wanted to, her fear took over her mouth, and the protests came out.