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His shoulder muscles unlocked as he twisted to face her. “Thank Christ.”
She stared at him. “What did you think you would see out there?”
Silence beat between them for five full seconds before he shut the doors and twisted the lock.
“Julius?” Why was he avoiding her question?
She looked past him. “Where are we? It looks like a vineyard!”
His brows creased. “You’re right. We’re at a winery.”
“But that’s not on my tour. Did something change and Heidi forgot to tell me?”
He stepped toward her and took her hands. His touch always calmed her, but she was too keyed up for it to work its usual magic.
“What is going on?” Her voice rasped on the question.
His gaze sharpened. “Tea. You need your tea.”
She clutched his hands harder so he couldn’t move away. “I don’t need tea, Julius. Tell me what is going on. Did we reroute here because I’m in danger?”
He groaned. “No, honey. I’m sorry if you were worried.”
Her gaze shot to the table where a single-serving bottle of complimentary wine was placed. She’d spotted it before, but now that she examined it closer, the label looked familiar.
She released his hands and rushed over to get a closer look. As soon as she saw the label, she whirled on him. “This isn’t justanywinery. They produced the wine from our engagement! Chez Nous.”
He nodded.
A huge grin broke over her face, and she nearly swooned at the plans he’d obviously made to go along with their ruse.
Only at this moment, as she grinned at him and his eyes sparked that way, it didn’t feel like a ruse at all.
He dragged his gaze away from hers and darted a look at the bathroom door. She followed the shift in attention and everything in her froze.
A long white garment bag hung there.
She stopped breathing.Oh god.What was really going on here? That bag looked important. She’d bet her Grammy for Best New Artist that it didn’t contain a dress for her to wear to the next awards show.
With a thumping heart that threatened to make her keel over, she drifted over to the garment bag. Even the zipper pull felt smooth and extravagant pinched between her thumb and forefinger.
When she unzipped the bag, intricate, gorgeous white lace swam in front of her vision.
“Julius!” she breathed. She spun to look at him. “What is this?”
“Our wedding will take place today. Here at Chez Nous.” His brow crinkled. “If you still want to go through with it.”
Her jaw dropped and a soft gasp emitted from her lips. “You’re…You’re kidding me! Our wedding? Did you arrange this? How did you even have time, when you’ve been with me nonstop?” The only time he’d stepped away was when he got into the Sentry SUV. But surely he’d been talking about her case with the team, not planning nuptials…
“I took care of everything, Avalynn.”
“When you say everything…”
He stepped forward and grasped her hands again. “All you need is the people closest to you. We’ll have each other, our parents—”
“Our parents!” Her mind spun that he’d contacted her mother…and possibly brought her here.
“And the FBI.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.
