“That won’t be necessary,” Anica said, wrapping her arms around herself.
“But it’s perfect on you!” Christina protested. “And it requires minimal alterations.”
“We’re still exploring options, but we’ll definitely keep this one in mind,” I said.
“At least let me take your details,” Christina persisted. “When are you thinking of having the wedding?”
“Three months,” I replied at the exact moment Anica said, “Next year.”
We exchanged looks of mutual panic.
“What he means,” Anica recovered smoothly, “is that we need to decide within three months whether we’re doing a winter wedding next year or waiting for spring.”
“Exactly,” I agreed. “So many factors to consider. Venue availability, family schedules, whether her mother will be out of prison by then...”
“Callan!” Anica gasped.
“Kidding,” I grinned. “Her mother’s a lovely woman. Only served eight years.”
Christina’s eyes widened, but her professional smile never faltered. “Family dynamics can certainly be... complex. How did you two meet?”
“Through work.”
“At a charity gala.”
Another exchange of panicked looks.
“Both, actually,” I improvised. “We first saw each other at a charity gala but didn’t speak. Then fate brought us togetherwhen I needed her professional services for my grandmother’s birthday celebration.”
“So romantic,” Christina sighed. “And the proposal?”
“Empire State Building,” Anica said quickly, rehashing the story we’d told before.
“During a blizzard,” I added with a wink. “Her eyelashes froze. Actually,” I continued, warming to the story, “I had planned an elaborate proposal with skywriters and a flash mob, but when the moment came, it was just the two of us in the snow, and I realized I didn’t need all the theatrics.”
“That’s...” Anica looked at me strangely. “Not what happened.”
“You were there, darling.” I moved closer, placing my hand at the small of her back. The bare skin exposed by the dress was warm beneath my palm. “Don’t you remember what I said?”
She stiffened at my touch but didn’t pull away. “I remember you being very... persistent.”
“It’s my super power.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her. “Anyways, I said that from the moment we met, you challenged everything I thought I wanted. That you made me want to be better than I was.”
Something shifted in her expression. Surprise, maybe confusion. For a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the room. God, she really was breathtaking in that dress. Like it’d been made just for her.
“How long have you two been together?” Christina asked, breaking the strange spell.
“Two months.”
“Four weeks,” Anica said at the same time.
Christina looked between us, her professional composure finally cracking. “I... see.”
“Dating for two months,” Anica clarified, stepping away from my touch. “Engaged for four weeks.”
“Very whirlwind,” I added.
“Indeed,” Christina said, clearly not believing a word. “Well, I’ll just... give you a moment while I check on something in the back.”
