I smile right back. "Nice to meet you."
"And this is my fiancé, Preston." She gestures to the man beside her, who nods politely.
"Now let me see this ring." Dove's eyes immediately zero in on my left hand. "Come on, don't be shy."
I reluctantly extend my hand across the table. Dove takes it gently, tilting my finger to catch the light. The diamond throws rainbows across the white tablecloth.
"Oh my God." Her eyebrows shoot up as she examines the ring. "Asher, this is gorgeous. You actually have taste."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Asher replies dryly.
"No, seriously." Dove releases my hand but keeps staring at the ring. "I was expecting something boring and traditional. This is actually stunning. Where did you find it?"
"I had it made," Asher answers simply, shocking me. Why would he have a custom ring made for his fake fiancée? I recall back to the engagement photos when he told me the size of this ring was a direct correlation to how much he loves me, and clearly by the way his sister studies it, she’s trying to figure out how much that is.
"Well, Grace is a lucky girl." Dove settles back in her chair with an approving nod. "Welcome to the family."
"Tell me about yourself, Grace," Celeste asks as the staff places salads in front of us, not wasting a second. "Where did you grow up?"
"Cedar Falls, Michigan." I take a careful sip of wine. "My family owns a Christmas tree farm."
"How quaint." Celeste's smile could freeze Hell. "And your education?"
"NYU. Journalism with a minor in creative writing."
"Ah, a writer." Leonard's eyes glitter with something I don't like. "Published anything I might have read?"
My throat closes. The fork trembles in my hand as Leonard's question hangs in the air like a blade waiting to fall.Published anything he might have read?
Almost… I was so close….
"Not yet," I manage, my voice steadier than I feel.
The phantom weight of Richard's betrayal presses down on my lungs, making it hard to breathe. I can still smell his cologne, that cloying, expensive scent that used to make me feel important when he took me to industry parties. Now it just makes me want to vomit.
I don’t have Asher’s hand in mine, but before I can think about how to grab it, his hand lands on my knee under the table, giving me a gentle squeeze that grounds me.
"The publishing industry can be... challenging," I say carefully.
Leonard nods like he's just confirmed something unpleasant about me. He leans back in his chair, studying us both with those predatory eyes. "Of course. I have to say, Asher didn't mention he was dating anyone. This engagement came as a surprise."
"Sometimes, you just know." Asher’s eyes find mine, and for a moment, the intensity and adoration there make me forget this is all pretend. "When it's right, timing doesn't matter."
"How romantic." Celeste takes a delicate sip of wine.
Leonard's laugh is sharp as breaking glass. "How unlike you, Son. You've always been so methodical about everything else."
The criticism lands like a slap. I watch Asher's jaw tighten, see the muscle tic at his temple. Without thinking, I reach under the table and place my hand on his knee. He tenses for a brief second, and then relaxes into my touch.
“Grace, you must come to the retreat at the end of the month,” Celeste says, changing the subject. “It’s our annualspring equinox retreat. We’ll be shedding this dreary winter and preparing ourselves for spring. Truly a delightful tradition. I’ll have Calla arrange everything for you.”
I nod. Barely understanding what she's asking.
“It’s at our Bali location,” Dove adds.
Asher squeezes my knee again, and I turn to look at him, letting his eyes lock on mine while he does the talking. “We’ll be there,” he confirms. “Grace is excited to see Bali.”
I nod. “I’ve never been.”
