“Flattery is not going to get you a yes.”
“No,” she said, and her voice was serious. “You really are. I’d say one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen. My crew, your brothers, and Mac included on the list. It’s just that I see you so much—” She shrugged. “Sometimes I don’t realize how striking you are.”
I nodded once, slowly. I forced the words out. “Thank you.” It came out stiff and automatic, but there it was.
She laughed. “I better see to Scarlett. She’s almost done. I need more pictures for her Instagram.”
“When it’s time to help her into her dress, I’ll be the one to do it.”
“Can’t,” Violet said, taking a grape from the basket. “She’s being sewn in.”
“Sewn in,” I repeated.
“No worries, one of her mother’s seamstresses is doing it. Awoman. And if you think she looked gorgeous in her wedding dress, just wait. You might want to sit down.”
Instead, I stood by the window, looking over the street. An hour before sunset, the golden hour, but everything seemed pale and blanched from a hard winter.
Occupied by the outside world and the music playing in the background—flutes and trumpets—I hadn’t realized the suite had been silenced of all the chaotic sounds of people. One hand in my pocket, the other checking the time on my watch, I turned.
I should’ve taken the seat.
Violet laughed her way out the door. Then we were alone.
The gown was roaring twenties incarnate. When Scarlett walked, she swished. A silk material clung as close as skin, nude in color, encrusted with gunmetal, silver, and rose-colored beading. Crystals took the places where there was no beading. Silver fringe started from the lower portion of her stomach and cascaded down to her feet.
She lifted her foot and pointed the heel out from under the gown. All of the details matched the dress.
Time stood still for at least a minute or two.
“You look—”
“We don’t—”
She grinned.
“You first,” I said.
She came closer, removed the hand from over my heart, and smiled up at me. “We don’t need words,mio martio. I feel what you can’t say. And you know what I’m thinking.”
“Tell me.”
She exploded with laughter and then stood back, running her hands under the lapels of the jacket. “Well, apart from the fact that you are the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen, brutally handsome, in fact, I want the suit off. I love what’s underneath even more.”
I grinned. “I’m all yours, later.”
“Can later be now?” she said as I helped her into her fancy coat.
I slipped mine on and we headed for the elevators. I had to push the small of her back to get her moving.
Charlotte and Travis were waiting. Travis watched Scarlett through the mirror, pretending to fix his hair, but when he caught my eye, he flicked a strand and then turned back toward the elevators. Charlotte stared at Scarlett from the corner of her eye.
“You look really pretty, Charlotte,” Scarlett said. “Matidesigned a beautiful gown for you.”
“Same,” Charlotte said, a slight wariness to her voice. Whenever Scarlett complimented her, she seemed unsure of whether or not to respond in kind.
Charlotte was more comfortable fighting with her sister. It was ground she felt more secure on. Scarlett usually made an effort at civility. Sometimes she even made an attempt at friendless. When I asked her why, she shrugged and said,I do it for me. It had taken time for her to get to that point, but she hadn’t looked back since.
The elevators opened. Travis put his hand to Charlotte’s back and guided her in, but not before I caught him stealing another glance at my wife.
