Chapter 2
Farkle grinned at the sight of Maya walking into the doorway of the classroom with a wedding dress on. "Well, who would've ever thought that we'd end up here? Not you, I assume, but me, I always believed that it would be one of you who realized that you loved me and wanted to be the first Mrs. Farkle Minkus. Though I guess that means that someone else will be the second Mrs. Farkle Minkus, but that's a horrible thing to be thinking about at my first wedding, and to the beautiful Miss Maya Pen-"
"Farkle!" Maya snapped. "You're doing the speed-talking date rant thing again."
Farkle clamped his lips shut – for all of a second. "Sorry, but I'm just so excited!"
Maya shuffled forward awkwardly, unaccustomed to the swishing masses of tulle and silk around her legs. Frowning, she double-checked, "Are you sure I have to do this just to keep the ring?"
"It is a very pretty ring," Farkle coaxed.
Maya sighed adoringly as she looked down at the engagement ring on her left hand, agreeing dreamily, "Yeah, it really is." It was easily the prettiest thing that she had ever held, let alone claimed as her own – sort of – so for that... "Okay, I'll do it."
"Excellent!" Farkle grinned, gesturing for the trio of boys who'd been standing to the side of the classroom to step forward.
One of Farkle's nerd friends handed her a bouquet, both nerds moved away again, and Jeffry stepped into the middle do the otherwise empty room. Farkle offered Maya his arm, and she stifled a sigh as she accepted it.
"You really do look beautiful," Farkle murmured quietly. "I think you're up to giving me eighty-nine percent."
"Blame the dress," Maya muttered as the two of them stepped up to Jeffry – apparently he was officiating this façade – and she didn't mention that she'd done her up-do and makeup herself with a little extra care this morning. Only a little, but still, it was Farkle, and she knew how important this was to him.
So she let him keep their arms intertwined, said all the right words at the right time, and watched Farkle's smile grow when Jeffry declared, "I now pronounce you fake husband and wife." He asked Farkle, "You wanna kiss the bride?"
Maya glared at Farkle without a word when the genius looked at her, and he shook his head, answering Jeffry contentedly, "Nah, I'm good."
"Then I guess that's that," Jeffry replied, gesturing towards the classroom door as he said, "We're done here. Congratulations on the wedding, you guys."
Farkle and Maya headed out of the classroom together, and the first thing Maya heard was Riley, saying, "…Because no one is moving too fast here."
Yeah, okay, Maya grinned, tossing her bouquet at her friend as she and Farkle walked past Riley and Lucas. Once they were out of the main traffic area, she looked awkwardly down at her dress as she asked Farkle, "What now?"
"Don't you want to go on a honeymoon, Mrs. Minkus?"
Maya's jaw dropped, her eyes blowing wide as her gaze snapped to Farkle's face – to see him smirking.
Teasing, she realized with a rush of relief. She smiled back at him.
"If you'd like to change out of your dress first," he offered. "I did have a little something planned. If you want."
Maya took one look at his hopeful expression, internally blamed her answer on the fact that they'd just been fake-married – besides, Riley and Lucas are probably going to be busy with each other – and replied with a sigh, "All right, Farkle; I'll play along for now."
"Yay…" Farkle drawled with a wide smile.
Twenty minutes later, Maya met Farkle at the door to the school dressed in normal clothes with her backpack slung over her shoulder.
"Do you want me to carry your backpack?" he asked, still looking overly excited and pleased.
Maya arched an eyebrow in surprise as she handed it over. Maybe there would be perks to this after all – besides the ring, of course. "Where are we going?"
"To my mom's limo," he smiled.
"Your mom owns a limo?" she gasped.
She knew Farkle's family had money, but he'd never really flaunted it before. So why now?
"Farkle, are you trying to impress me?" she asked with a grin. Didn't he know he didn't have to do that?
He shrugged. "I thought I'd just… show you a good time, sort of – spoil you a little, if you'll let me." He glanced nervously at her, declaring, "I think you deserve it. Besides –" he grinned. "Any Minkus wife – fake or not – ought to be shown the high life."
"Farkle, you don't have to-"
"I want to," he interrupted quickly. "If you'll let me."
It was important to him, she realized, before saying mildly, "All right." She gestured to the black limo as they approached it, adding in awe, "How can I turn down a ride in something as cool-looking as that?"
And that was before a chauffeur got out of the driver's seat. "What the…" Maya laughed in shock. "Seriously?" she asked Farkle.
He beamed and nodded, happy to have so obviously pleased her. "Your chariot awaits, wife."
Maya rolled her eyes, sliding into the backseat of the car.
Farkle slid in beside her, introducing, "Maya, this is our butler and chauffer, Jacobs. Jacobs, this is Maya Hart, my classmate – and now my fake wife."
Jacobs raised his eyebrows, declaring, "I don't have to know," before he shut the car door.
"He's cheerful, isn't he?" Maya muttered before Jacobs got in the driver's seat.
Farkle snorted at the idea of the servant being anything of the sort. To Jacobs he said, "Just take us home, please."
"We're going to your house?" Maya asked Farkle, wondering how lavish that would be if this was the sort of vehicle they owned.
"Is that okay?" he inquired anxiously.
"Farkle," she pointed out. "It's still me, and I'm still just Maya; there's no reason for you to be so nervous. It'll be fine; sure, I'll go to your house."
