“I happened to be in our L.A. flagship store. These caught my eye and made me think of you.” He plucks them out of the box and places them over my hair. “See? Perfect.”
My heart pounds as pleasure warms my body. I look at my reflection. “They are.”
“Youare perfect, wife,” he corrects me, then places a sweet kiss on my temple.
I can feel my cheeks heat with delight. I pull the topaz pins out, then stick Sebastian’s gifts into my hair. The butterflies sparkle, like good-luck talismans.
My confidence skyrockets. I roll my shoulders and exhale deeply and slowly. Facing the crowd no longer feels so daunting.
I’m Sebastian’s wife.
Everything will be fine.
* * *
The quartet plays Pachelbel in our converted garage, now a completely decked-out ballroom. The guests arrive, showing their invitations to the security personnel. This reception isn’t the kind people are dying to crash, but I can’t let my guard down with That Stalker and his buddies around.
Sebastian had the Aylster Hotel come to our place and cater the event, which was a smart move. Their team did an excellent job setting up a huge spread of gourmet food and two bars that seem to have every liquor known to man.
Although Matthias wanted to help host the event, I told him to take the weekend off like he’s supposed to. His granddaughter just had a baby, and I didn’t want him hanging around when Sebastian and I already have enough people to make things go smoothly.
There’s no special toast or first dance, since it’s a post-wedding reception. I want this to be more like a high-society party. It isn’t as if Sebastian and I married in the most conventional way, and he might feel weird about toasts and all the rest of it.Iwould feel weird, since people would probably toast to everlasting love, and that isn’t what we have between us.
Sure, we share the same bed, have great sex and work well together. But that isn’t love. He’s never hinted he feels anything but mild affection for me, and I know better than to expect more. Men just don’t fall in love with me.
Bianca gives me a tight hug. “Relax, girl. This is going to be amazing. I just know it.”
“I hope so. But people always think they already know me. It’s like a preexisting condition or something.” Most of the time I don’t get a chance to show who I really am because people just can’t see beyond the headlines. I know people like that aren’t worthy of my affection or friendship, but it still stings.
“Well, that just makes them dumb.” Bianca pats my arm. “Don’t let them bring you down on a day when you’re supposed to be happy.”
I put on a smile. “You’re right.”
“I know.” She winks.
Laughing softly, I watch her go check some details with the staff. Although she’s here as my guest, she was part of the planning team for the event. It’s just like her to reconfirm every detail. She wants this to be perfect as much as I do.
More and more guests start to arrive. Yuna comes over with an absolutely gorgeous man on her arm. I recognize him. Declan Winters—a former underwear model and now an actor. He’s considered one of the most handsome men in Hollywood, and has a lot of fans for his engaging personality, too. His devotion to his wife is legendary.
Yuna is perfectly dressed in a bright emerald dress and cute stilettos. The pearls on her are lustrous and huge, and she glows like the happiest woman. It’s likeshe’s the newlywed.
“Lucie!” She hugs me. “Thank you so much! You saved me!”
I laugh. “I guess Liam likes the ice cream?”
“He adores it. Now he wants to know when he can meet and thank his ice cream fairy.” She smiles.
“Awww. He can drop by anytime.”
“We might. And can I bring his twin, too? She wants to have a bracelet designed especially for her tiny little forearm.” Yuna rolls her eyes a little.
“Of course. I’d love it.” I put a hand on Sebastian’s quite sizeable forearm. “By the way, have you met my husband?”
“I don’t believe so,” she says.
“This is Yuna Hae Winters. She’s the daughter of the Hae Min Group’s chairman.”
Sebastian gives her his most brilliant smile. “Very pleased to meet you.”
