"Here's what's going to happen." He has my full attention, my eyes glued to his. "We're gonna get drinks with my siblings before dinner. You're going to tell them you had a bit of a headache and that's why you stayed inside. Dove's gonna ask how you're feeling now, and you'll tell her peppermint and lavender oils work wonders. After drinks, we'll go to dinner, repeat the same story with my mother. Her assistant is going to be there and will want to talk to you about the wedding. You just adore the wedding planner we hired. You're so excited; you've always dreamt of a spring wedding in the city. Dove is going to be angry that it's so soon, but that's okay. I'll take care of her if she says anything. Once we get through dinner, we're going to paint the image that we're retiring early, young lovers and all."
I swallow roughly. That's specific. And a lot to remember.
"And how will we do that?"
He leans in, reducing the space between us and invading my senses with that sea salt and cedar scent.
"By acting very in love." He says the words deeply, seriously. Dread and anticipation mingle inside me.
On the one hand, I'd very much like to kiss Asher again. One the other? If I keep doing that, this charade is going to be harder to leave when our year is up.
"You ready?" he asks, steely eyes narrowing in an assessing gaze. I feel naked, like he's reading my mind, seeing the thoughts I try to keep buried.
"Ready," I repeat, voice hoarse.
And then, as if he didn't just predict the entire evening, Asher leads me out of our room.
The evening goes as Asher says it will. We have drinks with his siblings. When Dove asks how I'm feeling, her words sound coated in sugar, sickly sweet, but the fake kind. I tell her that some peppermint and lavender oil on my temples has me feeling like a new woman, and we both laugh.
Asher's hand is always on my body. A palm at the center of my lower back, fingers tracing delicate circles on my knee, his thumb tracing over the pulse point on my wrist.
I'm not used to so much physical touch, and I surprise myself by not pulling away from it and instead leaning in. His touch comforts me, grounds me in every moment, making me feel…safe.It's strange, leaning on my fake billionaire fiancé for safety, but that’s how I feel.
When we transition from drinks to dinner, Asher pulls me into his side, pressing a kiss to my temple and whispering softly, "Good girl. You're doing such a good job."
The praise makes my body melt into his. There's an easiness in my chest, no ache or stress that normally lives there. Justpeace.It takes me a moment to realize what's happening, that giving Asher the lead for the night has brought me a sense of calm. No decisions to make, nothing to worry about. All I have to do is just what he says.
At dinner, he pulls out my chair and guides me to sit. Across from him is Celeste's assistant. She reaches across immediately, extending her hand for me to shake.
"I don't think we've formally met. I'm Calla Mercer, Celeste's assistant."
Asher squeezes my leg, and I return the handshake. "Grace."
Her eyes drop briefly to the giant rock on my left hand, then swing back to my face.
"How's wedding planning going? If you need any help, I'd be happy to assist. I'm quite good at planning parties."
I suck in a breath, remembering what Asher told me before we left. "The wedding planner we hired is phenomenal." I look to Asher, and he gives me a smile, nodding in agreement.
"Well then, I can't wait to see her work. When did you say the wedding is again?" Calla questions, with a tilt of her head.
"May."
On the other side of the table, Calla's eyes widen, and Dove whips her head to the side, looking at me. "Did you just sayMay?"
I can feel my heart speed up a bit, the need to ease her discomfort rising in me. I want to sayno, no, it's fine. What month do you want me to get married?
But Asher doesn't give me a chance to spiral. He squeezes my knee as he faces his sister. "Yes, May." His tone is stern, and the two siblings stare each other down. There are unspoken words, something passing between them, but neither starts whatever fight is brewing at the table.
"That's in two months." Dove’s nearly gaping at Asher, her fingers gripped around her fork as if she's using the instrument to stop herself from squeezing his throat.
"Why so soon?" Calla cuts in with her question.
“I've always dreamt of a spring wedding, and she's really pulling my vision together."
Asher squeezes my thigh again, twice in succession, the motion feeling like he's silently sayinggood girl.
"Asher." Dove’s features don’t settle; if anything, she looks more tense. "It's insane to plan a wedding that soon."
