Sebastian’s large hand cradles his phone, and he’s studying the screen with a frown that leaves small lines between his slanted eyebrows. No groom-to-be’s happy anticipation. He might be meeting an IRS auditor for all the excitement he’s displaying, which is disappointing. But of course I shouldn’t be depressed. He never wanted this. His family didn’t want this for him. They made themselves clear when they said he was too good for the likes of me. And his attitude two days ago only proved that he agrees with them.
When he lifted his cool gaze and regarded me like a poisoned apple, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him I was the girl he was so kind to in Paris eleven years ago. Or that I only want his help for a few years to make my family pay. Maybe I was scared he would mock me for thinking any of what happened back then meant anything to him, when it meant so much to me.
Would he like me a little if I’d managed to maintain a better reputation? People look at me with lurid curiosity because they’ve all heard about me. But I don’t know how to have a good-girl rep. Everything I do is judged harshly, and I’ve given up on explaining myself. The more I try, the worse it becomes.
A cup of green tea is in front of him, and he brought the bouquet of pink-orange dahlias I had Bianca order this morning.
Time to play my role.
I paste on my most carefree smile and infuse all the excitement I can muster into my step.
“Sebastian!” I say with a broad smile.
He looks up. “Lucienne.” He stands, then places a hand on my shoulder. I air-kiss him, and he gives me the bouquet. “For you.”
“How pretty! I love dahlias! How did you know?” I gush.
His expression grows guarded. “A little birdie told me.”
He pulls out a chair for me, all solicitous. Our waiter brings out hot tea and water. I ask for lemonade, and he leaves.
The small amount of warmth on Sebastian’s face disappears. He probably doesn’t want to make an effort when it’s just the two of us. But at least he isn’t as overtly hostile as he was the last time.
“Next time, let me handle the props,” he says. “That bouquet you ordered was embarrassing.”
“By all means.” I look down at the gorgeous flowers. “But what was wrong with the flowers?”
“Too shabby. Nobody gives flowers like that, unless they’re trying to be insulting. I had my assistant buy a different bouquet.” His jaw muscles flex.
There’s no way five hundred dollars gets you something that awful.“I thought you wanted to be insulting and difficult about our marriage.” Making a joke of the situation seems the best way to go. I don’t want to fight him over some dahlias.
“My personal feelings about our union aren’t for public consumption. Furthermore, giving you crappy flowers would make me look like an asshole, which I’m not. In public, at least, we’ll play a civil couple. You might enjoy the attention of paparazzi and gossip rags, but I don’t.”
The tight muscles around my shoulders loosen over the fact that he’s going to make an effort in public. He could’ve vowed to say all sorts of horrible things about me, and everyone would believe him. No matter what happens, I’m the bad guy. I can’t even sneeze without someone attributing it to some awful intent. “Thank you.”
He stares at me for so long, his expression inscrutable, that I wonder if I have something stuck between my teeth. My smile falters, and his eyebrows tighten.
Our server brings our first course of sashimi and cold tofu simmered in some kind of light brown sauce on delicate white and blue plates. I take a bite of bright red maguro.
“How’s your day been so far?” Sebastian asks abruptly. “Done anything productive?” His tone says he expects the answer to be no.
I let myself smile a little. “Very. I went over our financials, and I was finalizing the distribution agreement with the Hae Min Group for the joint venture between Peery Diamonds and Sebastian Jewelry.”
His eyes narrow slightly. “You really care about Peery Diamonds.”
“Of course.” I didn’t at first, but then I realized it was a means to ensure Roderick, Karl and Vonnie got nothing. And the more I learned the business and worked at the company, the more I loved it. “It’s my legacy. It means everything to me.” I’d rather die than let Roderick and his awful children take a piece of it.
“You know, itispossible for companies to do joint ventures without marriage. Contracts are binding and enforceable regardless of our marital status,” he says to me like I’m a misled child. “Your lawyer should’ve advised you of that.”
“Jeremiah’s great. It’s not her, it’s the laws of Nesovia. That’s where the company’s incorporated, if you didn’t know. I can’t control Peery Diamonds fully without getting married.”
He tilts his head. “Even if you’re the sole heiress?”
“Nope. Roderick controls the company on my behalf by voting my shares in a special trust.” I can’t keep my face completely impassive. The top of my head feels tight with rage, especially since the company isn’t the only thing he controls. I can’t audit how my own trust fund is being used because I’m not in charge yet.
“Like a regent for an underage queen in the old days,” Sebastian says.
“Yes. And that’s not what I want. I’m old enough to vote, drink and get married. I should be considered old enough to manage Peery Diamonds without Roderick—or anyone else—exerting undue influence.”
