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Sarah, I realize, would be a worthy adversary in a poker game. Her face displays zero emotion as I hold the dress up.

“What doyouthink?”

I blink at her unexpected question. “It’s lovely.”

“Mmm.” She nods her head toward the other bag. “And the second?”

I take extra care with removing the other dress from its bag. Filmy sleeves, a bodice crafted of delicate lace and a mermaid skirt of silk. I indulge myself in one fleeting touch of the lace, the soft ridges and swirls, before I hold it up.

Sarah stares at it for a fraction of a second before her eyes dart to mine. “You already know which one.”

I pause. “I know which one is the practical choice,”

Sarah smiles. “I don’t think practicality should take the place of desire on one’s wedding day.”

“It’s just…” Heat creeps into my cheeks. “Michail told you how we met.” At Sarah’s nod, I rush on. “It feels strange to wear something so sexy and revealing given the circumstances.”

“Oh, dear.” Sarah grabs my free hand and squeezes it. “How do you feel about the baby?”

Emotion stings my eyes. “I love him.”

Unshed tears brighten Sarah’s eyes. “And Michail?”

“He surprised me,” I answer honestly. “I didn’t expect him to want to be a father.” The memory of his shocked gaze when he’d heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time is burned into my brain. “But he wants to be involved.”

There are many uncertainties when it comes to my relationship with Michail. One of the few things I’m sure of, though, is his commitment to being there for the baby.

Tears slide down Sarah’s cheeks as she gives my hand one more squeeze. “Then I would say this is an occasion worth celebrating.” She releases my hand and wipes away her tears. “Now I’m going to meet my son’s half-brothers and hopefully not cry any more before the ceremony.”

“Sarah?” I slowly reach out, grasp her hand and squeeze it as she did mine in the hall. “Thank you.”

Her smile is so full of joy it nearly blinds me. “You’re welcome.”

I wait until the door closes behind her before I sit down with the mermaid gown across my lap. Is it more curse or blessing that I like Michail’s mother? I don’t doubt her kindness or her enthusiasm for her first grandchild. But will she still offer the same warmth in a year when Michail and I divorce?

A problem for another day. Today I have her support and the presence of at least one person I know will genuinely be happy to watch me walk down the aisle.

My fingers sink into cool folds of silk. I’m almost giddy at the thought of wearing something so beautiful.

What will Michail think of it?

I bat the thought away. It doesn’t matter what he thinks. We’ve agreed to a marriage in name only. Convenience, not passion. Mutual benefits, not love.

Lace whispers over my skin as I slide my arms into the delicate sleeves. The fabric cradles my stomach and leaves zero doubt about whether I’m pregnant. Yet as I face myself in themirror, I don’t feel embarrassed or apprehensive. I feel…proud. Beautiful, sexy. When I walk down that aisle, I’m going to do so with a confidence I didn’t feel an hour ago. I’m going to make the most of this chaos and craft a wonderful life for myself and my son in the process.

Michail’s face flashes in my mind, his expression shifting from cold suspicion to fiery intensity. Yes, he tempts me. My body craves him with a need that’s almost impossible to ignore.

Almost, I remind myself as I turn away from the mirror. But the desire to protect my own heart overrides simple lust. I’ll make the most of today, embrace the positives of having a father in my child’s life and keep my desire on a tight leash. I can resist Michail.

For my sake, and my son’s, I have to.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Michail

In less thanten minutes, I’ll be a married man. I never saw myself as a husband. But I never saw myself as a father, either. One role is tied to the other.

I glance at my mother out of the corner of my eye. When Alessandra invited Mom into her room, I was suspicious. It didn’t make sense that the woman who had been nervous at the thought of having my mother witness our vows was suddenly inviting her in for a private chat right before the ceremony.