“Stop throwing my words back at me!” It’s an effort to contain rising frustration.
“It’s difficult when the words were so wise. And I’m only asking for three dates.”
I open my mouth to say no. What will three dates prove? That I haven’t gotten over him? That he’s trying hard to make up for what happened so he can assuage his guilty conscience?
Then I notice the tight set of his shoulders. The white knuckles around his glass. Under the smile is a hint of strain, the desperate intensity in his gaze. He looks at me like the fate of the universe is riding on my answer.
And thenogets stuck in my throat.
“Fine.” My response is curt and ungracious.
However, the tension in his shoulders and hands eases. His smile becomes more relaxed. “Thanks. You won’t regret it.”
“Oh, I don’t plan to spend any more time on regret. And what are three dinners? I do need to eat. I might as well make you feed me something expensive.”
Chapter 43
Lucienne
A week later, Sebastian sends a car for our first date. He hasn’t told me where we’re going, and when I pressed him for a dress code, he said to wear whatever I wanted.
I try on four different outfits before the limo’s arrival, finally settling on a blue asymmetrical dress that brings out my eyes. Then I put my hair in a topknot and secure it with a topaz pin. Aquamarine drop earrings on my earlobes and a silver-and-larimar necklace around my throat. Casual enough, I tell myself as nerves flutter in my belly.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror by the foyer. My cheeks are overly flushed, and there’s a sparkle in my eyes.
It’s a familiar expression—the girls in high school wore it when they finally scored a date with a major crush.
I turn away in embarrassment.Sebastian Lasker is not a crush.Not anymore. He’s just…
This is actually our firstrealdate.I had to arrange the “date” we had before the wedding and send him flowers to bring so everything would look proper to the world.
At five sharp, a white limo pulls up. A chauffeur in a snowy uniform comes out and opens the door for me.
I murmur my thanks and climb inside, then freeze at the sight of Sebastian. “I thought you were sending me a car.”
“And I did. With me in it. A combo deal.” He smiles. “You look gorgeous.”
“You don’t look too bad yourself.” That’s such an understatement. He’s hot as hell in his black bespoke suit.
He laughs softly, like he knows I’m full of it.
He smells of fresh soap, and I realize he showered and re-groomed himself before coming over. Were we both nervous about this “date”? “So. Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” he says mysteriously.
At least I’m not overdressed. The only jewelry on him is the wedding band.
“You don’t have to wear that ring anymore,” I tell him.
“I know, but I want to.” His voice is soft, but firm.
“It won’t change my mind.”
“I’m not wearing it for you. I’m wearing it for me, so everyone knows I’m taken.”
When he says things like that, my heart reacts badly. Irrationally. Dangerously.I can’t afford to be foolish.“Sebastian—”
“You didn’t want it back, so it’s mine to do with as I wish.”
