He smiled tightly. “Things change.”
Hmm,veryinteresting.
“I’m stealing Ellie for a minute, boys. Get yourselves some drinks at the bar and start relaxing,” Madison ordered, grabbing my arm. She pulled me toward the other women, and I took a deep breath while shuffling along beside her.
Time for another test.
“Girls, meet Cade’s secret fiancée, Ellie.” Madison gestured to me before pointing at another brunette more interested in the book on her lap than anything going on around her. “That’s my big sister, Piper. She’s married to that hunky Russian leaning against the bar.”
I glanced over at a big guy in a black suit with his elbow propped on the bar. He reminded me of the men always swarming around Sadie’s compound with his dark hair, aviators, and a gold chain around his neck.
Piper looked up from her book with a sigh. “Please don’t call Vlad hunky to his face. He’s already got a big enough ego.”
“Good point. Then the other one is Fletcher Montgomery.” Madison pointed to a guy my age who was laughing at something Harrison had said. He looked like he’d been born on this yacht. Preppy button-down shirt, a salmon sweater tied around his neck, and white shorts I’d be afraid to sit on anything with. “He’s Harry’s friend from college and engaged to Candace here.”
She motioned to the last woman—a tall blonde who sat with perfect posture and her knees crossed, with a wide-brim black hat that shielded her eyes. She wordlessly saluted me with her empty champagne flute.
A staff member immediately appeared and refilled her glass.
“And that’s it for introductions.” Madison turned to me with an eager gleam in her eyes that made me step back automatically. “On to more important matters. It took all my willpower not to badger you on the phone last night, but I need to see the ring.”
Right.Thering.
Drawing a deep breath, I stuck out my left hand and wiggled my fingers. “Ta-da. My engagement ring. The symbol of my and Cade’s love and commitment to each other.”
Okay, maybe I hadn’t needed to add that last part.
She grabbed my hand and pulled it closer, whistling appreciatively. “That cut is so elegant. You have incredible taste.”
“Oh, I had nothing to do with it,” I quickly clarified, not wanting to take any unearned credit. “Cade picked it out.”
All three of them stared, until Madison’s sister hummed. She leaned in, taking a closer look at the diamond. “Who would’ve guessed Cade knew anything about jewelry?”
“Well, he did a great job. It’s gorgeous.” Madison straightened back up and let my hand drop. “Who did he commission to design it?”
I shrugged and toyed with the ring. “I don’t know. I think he just bought it at the store?”
They all broke into laughter.
“You’re adorable.” Madison’s lips twitched. “Men in our circles don’t shop at jewelry stores for engagement rings. That’d be a tragedy. They have designers on speed dial, and whoever Cade hired did some breathtaking custom work on that band.”
I peered closer at the band for the first time, admiring it. The gold had an intricate pattern with small swirls and details. It really was beautiful. But no way could it have been made that quickly.
“Did you mean to say clueless, Maddie?” Candace asked, tilting her head back just enough for me to see a sharp glint in her eyes. “There’s nothing adorable about ignorance. Do you even know who designed your outfit?”
There was an edge to her question, and apparently Madison didn’t miss it either because she cleared her throat.
“Let’s play nice, ladies,” Madison warned lightly, before leaning closer to me and lowering her voice. “Candace works in fashion. She has some strong opinions.”
Well, that was one way to put it. I would’ve personally chosen to call itcatty.
But I had a role to play, and I imagined Cade’s fiancée would be pretty confident to be with a guy like him. So, I adjusted the hem of my crocheted top and mustered up my best smile. “Um, I actually made this top myself.”
Candace’s brows lifted. “That explains a lot.”
“Candace,” Madison hissed in warning.
The other woman shrugged innocently and sipped her champagne, looking away.
