“She always does,” Derek says from approximately two inches behind me, his hand landing on the small of my back. I step forward just enough to dislodge it, disguising the move as a lean toward the white orchids at the head of the long table. “Can’t keep my eyes off her.”
Indeed he can’t. But I suspect it’s less romance and more stage management, a director watching his lead actress for any sign she’s about to go off-script.
Which, to be fair, I’ve almost done. Twice. Once when he leaned in to kiss me in front of his aunt Theresa and I flinched so hard I had to disguise it as a sneeze. Aunt Theresa blessed me three times. And again ten minutes later, when he grabbed my ass at the chocolate fountain while I was zoned out, having a full-body flashback to last night. When I yelped, Derek told the groom’s parents I’d seen a wasp.
Despite how tempted I was to slap him back to the year nineteen ninety, I held it together. Because today is not about me. Today is Mira and James’ day. Besides, after this weekend, Derek and I will never see each other again.
“I got you the Sauvignon blanc, by the way.” Derek holds a glass in front of me. “You don’t want the red. Red gives you headaches.”
“Red doesn’t give me headaches.” I reach around him to grab a glass of Cabernet from a passing tuxedoed waiter’s tray.
“It gave you a headache at the Pasternak dinner.” Derek frowns, his fingers tightening on the sauvignon blanc glass.
“That wasn’t the wine, Derek.” I offer him a wide, sugar-sweet smile. “That was your mother’s two-hour commentary on my career prospects.”
He exhales slowly through his nose, something I know means:I’m tolerating this because we’re in public.Well, too bad for him he can’t control like this anymore.
“You two are just thecutest.” An older omega in seafoam chiffon I’ve never seen before in my life materializes at my elbow. “Derek talks about youconstantly.”
“He’s a talker,” I say.
“She’s being modest.” Derek’s hand returns to my back and my wine goes down the wrong pipe. I cough into my fist, eyes watering, and take another sip to smooth it over. “I talk about her because she’s worth talking about.”
The seafoam woman beams at both of us like we just announced a pregnancy.
Breathe, don’t cause a scene. You foolishly agreed to let him tell his family the truth after the wedding weekend. Come on, you can do this.
Well, as long as he stops touching me, trying to kiss me, or materializing between me and any man under sixty like a humanprivacy screen. ‘Cause yeah, those things are wearing through my patience.
“You look pale, sweetheart.” Celeste, Derek’s mother, appears at my side. She eyes me up and down the way only a supposed mother-in-law can. “Are you sleeping enough? You’ve got those circles again. You’re not doing one of those cleanses, are you?”
“I’m fine, Celeste.” I manage a small smile. “It’s just been a long morning.”
“She had a big breakfast,” Derek offers from behind me.
I didn’t have a big breakfast. But between the melatonin truffles and the ghost of last night’s alpha, my brain is stuck in biological counter-shock. And to be fair, waking up in a panic and rushing to squeeze into a silk sheath dress isn’t what I’d call energizing.
I check my phone and sigh. The rehearsal lunch hasn’t even started and I’m already scraping the bottom of my smile reserves. And I’ve still got a full wedding to survive the next day.
A couple of hours for the lunch,I tell myself. Then I can escape to my own room, lock the door, and spend the night in peace before the ceremony tomorrow.Just make it to the day-after brunch on Sunday, and the contract will be complete.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?”
Derek has stepped away into the open space, where guests are still milling around, glass in hand, searching for their place cards. He taps a fork against his wine glass.
“I know we’re just getting settled, and Mira’s ceremony is tomorrow, but I just wanted to add a little to the joy of this weekend before we sit down. I need a quick moment.” He turns, extending a hand toward me. “Because I can’t let this weekend pass without celebrating the most incredible woman in my life.”
I stare at him. My expression says, very clearly,What the hell are you doing?He reads it, doesn’t care. His smile doesn’t even flicker.
“Some of you know Luna. Some of you are just meeting her this weekend. But you need to know—this is the best person I’ve ever met. She gives and gives and just makes me a better man.”
People are turning. Smiling. Celeste has her hand on her chest.
“And I think it’s time I gave her something back.”
My blood goes cold.
“Luna, I’ve been looking at apartments.” He pauses, probably for effect. “For us. A place that’sours.And I think after this weekend, it’s time we stop playing it safe and go all in. A home, a life, the whole thing.”
