“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” I whisper. I kiss her lightly, careful of the dewy makeup.
“I have something for you.”
“I told you I don’t need—”
I open the box.
“Wow.” Jenna purses her mouth as she looks down at the jewelry set. “Isn’t that what I picked out for Sable that you rejected? What a nice gift.”
“Knew it.” My mouth twitches in a smirk. “I knew you wanted a man to buy you expensive presents.”
“No, I-I don’t,” she stammers. “Just… It’s fine. Give it here.”
I hold the box up high where she can’t reach. “Don’t worry. I know you have that weird thing with gifts,” I remind her as I settle the diamond necklace in the V of softskin framed by the burgundy dress. “So I didn’t buy you anything new.”
The jewelry scatters glitters of light over her skin as I fasten the matching bracelet.
“Besides, I think I told you when you showed up with it in the first place…” I press a kiss to the crook of her neck. “That I want to fuck you with this jewelry on.”
“I would have been fine with a vibrator.”
“You delight in dropping hellfire missiles on my heart, Cupcake.” I offer her my arm. “We don’t want to miss our big moment.”
She hesitates when I hold out my hand, her wrist heavy with the diamond bracelet.
“What is it? Don’t you trust me? Don’t you love me?”
44
JENNA
“Your tits look fucking amazing in that dress.” Hannah spins me around. “I’m so jelly.” She tugs at the fabric. “We have to keep this cut in mind for your rehearsal dinner dress. Your wedding dress, though, has to be big, like a ball-gown, lots-of-lace, major-train situation, like all out. You need to tell McCarthy to build a nice wooden pavilion on the island. I don’t want one of those crappy white plastic tents that come in on a barge. Ooh! Pretties!” She admires the diamonds. “See? McCarthy really does love you.”
“It’s the jewelry I bought. For Sable.” I make a face.
“You have good taste.”
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea, being with McCarthy.”
“You kidding? This is a great idea. I’m already planning our bachelorette party to Cabo, and yes, it’s a we because I’m living vicariously through you. Ugh!” Hannahlooks over my shoulder. “Cameron is already wasted. Great. One sec.”
There are lots of Prism employees at tonight’s event. My dad was right—the HopeWorks charity is a one-stop shop for wayward PR charity cases who need their digital reputations polished up. This is like when the bad kids come in and do community service after getting yelled at. All the charities are there, desperate to cash in.
McCarthy is the fatted calf. RDC never gives to charity, and they’re sitting on a big pile of cash.
The CEO is a head taller than the people crowded around him. He looks up, searching the throngs for me.
I duck my head and scurry over to the table laden with appetizers and expensive bouquets of flowers to fill up my plate with the mini mozzarella-basil flatbreads. I should be glad that McCarthy’s playing nice with the charity people.
If I actually want to be with him, this is the job—this is the life of a billionaire’s wife, I remind myself. Be a pretty accessory on his arm—at parties, awards shows, corporate events. A billionaire’s wife can’t just be the wallflower next to the snack table.
I’m not sure I’m cut out for that life.
“This guy!” I hear him before I see him—my dad, there, in the middle of the crowd.
The room spins as my worlds collide. Why are my dad and McCarthy acting like they know each other? Devin is hanging on his every word, laughing loudly when McCarthy makes an off-color remark.
“Quite the selection, eh?” Heavy breathing announces Bethany’s husband.
