Page 34 of Contracted as His Cinderella Bride

‘Right on both counts.’ Megan grinned back. ‘Although the most terrifying thing so far has been explaining to our daughter Issy she’s going to have two more younger brothers when she’s not that impressed with the one she’s got. Our only consolation is that my sister Katie, who is also due in June, discovered she’s having a girl.’

‘I’m sure your daughter will get over it,’ Ally said, feeling stupidly envious now. ‘It’s so much better to have siblings than not, even if they are brothers!’

‘Precisely, although Issy’s not convinced.’ Megan popped a delicate mini quiche into her mouth and swallowed. ‘But enough about me. I wanted to come over and congratulate you on your marriage. I always knew Dominic would eventually find a woman worth keeping. He cer

tainly seemed to be looking hard enough,’ she added with a laugh.

‘Thank you, I think.’ Ally’s heart wrestled with her tonsils at Megan’s smile—if she could joke about Dominic like this they must be good friends, although he hadn’t mentioned Megan, or anyone else. Embarrassed colour rushed into her cheeks as she realised how little she knew about her brand-new husband’s private life.

‘And I also wanted to discover where you bought that dress.’ Megan’s gaze slid over the cocktail dress Ally had spent the afternoon finishing while she’d waited for Dominic to arrive.

An above-the-knee design of aquamarine silk, inspired by a waterfall she’d seen once in a magazine, the dress was all flowing lines and quiet power. The gold band round her biceps had seemed like the perfect finishing touch. But Ally had been second-guessing her decision to wear it as soon as she’d arrived. Was it too revealing? Too funky? Not formal enough?

‘It’s so original and stylish,’ Megan said. ‘You look incredible in it.’

The flush of pleasure at Megan De Rossi’s heartfelt praise had Ally’s ribs contracting. This was exactly the kind of feedback she had hoped for.

‘Actually I made it myself,’ she said.

Megan’s eyes widened, but then she whistled. ‘That’s even more amazing. You’re really talented. I’ve never seen anything so cool and distinctive.’

Ally’s heart squeezed. She’d hoped for a reaction like this, but she hadn’t expected it.

‘You’re nothing like Dominic’s other girlfriends—no wonder he decided to marry you,’ Megan added, making the blush fire across Ally’s chest. ‘And that’s without even factoring in that super-hot kiss,’ Megan finished, her grin becoming decidedly wicked.

Ally’s blush went ballistic.

Photos of their kiss on the sidewalk had hit the Internet yesterday. Ally knew because she’d been inundated with messages from her friends in London asking to know what the heck was going on. But she hadn’t replied and she’d studiously avoided social media all day.

‘I’m sorry,’ Megan said, immediately looking contrite. ‘I didn’t mean to embarrass you. But, honestly, you two looked amazing together. So hot and so much in love, if anyone thought he shouldn’t have ditched Mira they certainly won’t after seeing that photo. Was that amazing blue suit one of your designs, too?’

‘Yes,’ Ally croaked, quietly dying inside.

She’d known she would have to lie, but she hadn’t realised it would be quite this hard.

She already liked Megan De Rossi. The woman was smart, and witty, and sweet and surprisingly down to earth. And she clearly had exceptional taste. Megan and she might have become friends, if her marriage to Dominic had been real, instead of a subterfuge to secure a property deal.

‘Um...’ Ally began, not sure what to say, when she was rescued by a tall man in a dark grey designer suit, who swooped down on them like an avenging angel.

‘Damn it, what are you doing on your feet? And holding something so heavy, piccola.’ He whisked the laden plate Megan had been nibbling on out of her hand.

This was Dario De Rossi, Ally realised, in the flesh. She’d seen his picture in magazines, but it didn’t do him justice. He was a strikingly handsome man, his Italian heritage evident in the black hair, olive skin, phenomenal bone structure—and his wildly overprotective manner.

‘You are carrying two babies. My babies. You need to sit down, piccola,’ he said, cradling his wife’s elbow to lead her to a chair.

‘And you need to stop calling me piccola now I’m the size of a house.’ Megan rolled her eyes comically but allowed herself to be led. ‘Ally, meet Dario—my very own papa bear. Dario, this is Ally, Dominic’s new wife.’

Having deposited Megan on one of the white leather couches that lined the stark walls of the art gallery, and handed the plate back to her, Dario offered Ally his hand.

‘Ally, it is good to meet you. I have heard much about you from Dominic.’

You have?

Ally shook his hand, wondering what on earth Dominic could have found to say about her, seeing as he hardly knew her. The firm handshake settled her nerves a fraction, until Dario shouted at someone.

‘Dominic, over here.’ He beckoned over Ally’s shoulder, then smiled down at her. ‘Your husband has been searching for you, like a besotted newly-wed.’

He has? But he isn’t a besotted newly-wed.

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