I'd unintentionally put Stefan in the middle of this.I mean, I was grateful he'd been there to bid on me.And ultimately buy me.Even though I hadn't known he was going to be there.How could I possibly dream that Stefan would be out there when I stepped onto the stage?Not in my wildest dreams would I have believed that.
If I hadn’t been on that stage tonight—none of this would have happened.
This was my fault.
And I’d have to fix it.
I looked at Giselle and Eve.
“Okay.”
6
Francesca
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
I finished drying off and wrapped the towel around my body.The bathroom—which was larger than my last apartment—was filled with hot steam from my shower.Eve and Giselle insisted I shower before getting ready to marry Stefan.
Marry.
Stefan.
That thought stuttered inside my mind.Mostly because I couldn't believe it was about to happen.In less than an hour, I was going to be Mrs.Stefan Sovrano.I shivered even though it was hot in here.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
“Are you done?We need to get your makeup on, sweetie.”Eve's kind voice floated into the still steamy bathroom.It was nice in here.
Quiet.
Warm.
I could live in here forever.Eve could leave hot cocoa and lasagna at the door every so often.
“Francesca?”
I took a deep breath and walked to the door.I opened it.The steam drifted around me and into the bedroom.
“Oh, good,” Eve said with a bright grin on her face.“I'm going to do your makeup while Giselle makes a few last touches on your dress.”
I thought about objecting, but then I realized other than the white bustier, stockings, and high, high heels—I didn't have a stitch of clothing to wear.I was going to have to borrow something.Showing up naked to marry Stefan might be frowned upon.
Eve guided me to a chair in front of a big mirror.She had a bunch of makeup and brushes laid out on the desk.
Earlier, before I had gotten into the shower, Eve handed me a pack of makeup remover sheets.My makeup would have only been appropriate for doing such things as swinging on a stripper pole or walking the streets.Probably not all that appropriate for a middle of the night fake wedding.Because that was what this was.We all knew that.
It wasn't as if Stefan had asked me to marry him.He'd been told—no, forced—to marry me.
All because of my father.
