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I could point out he needs a fake fiancée for about five more months, but I know what she means.
And I’m scared she’s right.
“Oh!” Maddy says, catching sight of something over my shoulder. “Oh that’s the one.” She jogs past me, chasing a sales associate who’s wheeling a rack of dresses to another part of the store.
Maddy snags one off the salesperson’s rack. “Sorry, we need this.” She turns back to me, holding up the dress. “What do you think?”
It’s a fairy-tale of a dress. Delicate layers of yellow, pink, and orange tulle swirl and layer over each other so it looks like a sunrise. It’s got a fitted bodice, off-the-shoulder long sleeves, and a flowing A-line skirt that falls down to the ankles. It would be a conservative, modest silhouette, except that the whole dress is layers of sheer fabric. It’s dense enough around the breasts and butt to keep me decent, but everything else is subtly sexy.
“How much is it?” I ask, a little breathless.
“Girl, you have a billionaire’s credit card,” Maddy scolds. “Time to have somefun.”
Kiera would love it. So would Cole.
More importantly, it looks like me.
“I’ll try it on,” I say, and Maddy all but whoops in triumph.
Maybe caring about Cole does scare me. But I can still enjoy the ride as long as it lasts.
“Amelia,”Cole calls from somewhere outside my bedroom door. “We’re going to be late for the gala.”
“Almost done!” I reassure him. I spray my makeup to hold it in the place, and tie my hair back with the luxurious gold ribbon Maddy talked me into buying. Then I slip my shoes on. Since the dress falls to the floor anyway, I chose gold flats so my feet can feel more comfortable.
I give myself one more glance in the mirror. I’ve never worn a dress this exquisite. I wonder if this is what brides feel like when they find the right wedding gown.
I step out into the hallway and head down the spiral staircase to the entryway. I come around the corner and Cole looks up from his watch, impatient.
Then he sees me, and his face softens. “Amelia,” he breathes. “You look...” He moves to the foot of the stairs as if pulled by a string.
He offers his hand, and as I reach the bottom step, I take it.
Cole’s breathtaking in his own right. He’s wearing a black tuxedo, with a crisp white shirt and tie. His hair is slicked back in a way that highlights the bones of his face. He looks serious, and important, and devastatingly handsome.
He also looks incredibly traditional. Like all those dresses his mother’s stylist sent me.
For a second I wonder if I’ve miscalculated with my beautiful rainbow dress.
“Do I get a hello kiss?” I tease, trying to nudge him out of his silence.
His hand tightens around mine. “If I kiss you now Amelia, I’m not stopping.”
My blood sparks.
We’re stepping into the elevator, when he makes an offhand sound and produces a small jewelry box from his pocket. “I forgot. These came. Didn’t know if you wanted them.”
I open the box to find gorgeous hoop earrings, delicately crafted to match my engagement ring, complete with colorful, sparkling stones.”
“Oh, they justcamedid they?” I say. “No one ordered them?”
Cole makes a dismissive gesture as the elevator begins to move. “The jeweler had some ideas he wanted to try. I decided it wouldn’t hurt to say yes.”
I freeze in the act of slipping the hoops into my ears. “You commissioned custom jewelry for me?”
Cole doesn’t deny it, just checks his watch again. Shifts uncomfortably. There’s the hint of a blush underneath his grumpy expression.
I finish putting the earrings in, Maddy’s words ringing in my ears.
