“You’ll be wonderful, both of you,” Harrington says warmly. “This is a big day for our family.”
Our conversation is cut off as the car pulls to a stop. Cheers ring as the car door opens and Harrington steps out first, then the cheers blaze to a deafening roar when Catherine follows. Cameras flash like mad, and the energy surrounding the car is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Catherine always draws a massive amount of attention, but adding Asher and me in a relationship to the equation is like pouring gasoline on an already roaring fire.
“Are you okay?” I ask Asher, knowing his anxiety must be off the charts.
He brushes his thumb along my cheek, nodding slowly. “Like you said, this comes with the territory. It still scares theshit out of me, but I know it’s necessary. The bigger question is, are you ready?”
I let out a shaky breath. “As ready as I can be.”
He lifts my hand to his mouth and places a kiss on it. “You’re amazing.”
With that, Asher climbs out of the car to another wave of cheers, and the electric buzz of anticipation seems to bubble up in the atmosphere. He turns and holds out a hand for me, and the crowd goes almost as crazy as it did for Catherine. I slide out of the car and stand next to Asher, smiling for the crowd and the cameras—praying this all goes well—knowing these pictures will live on the internet for all time.
At least I’m dressed well for the occasion.
The emerald gown I’m wearing is fitted but elegant, and my hair flows in simple but classic curls. But it’s the jewels I’m draped in that will be the real story tomorrow. I’m still in shock that Asher wanted me to wear something with that level of connection to his mother in such a public way, but I guess I shouldn’t be. Asher doesn’t do things by halves. He’s either all in or all out. It’s a miracle we made it through the beginning of our relationship when it was merely a PR stunt. His acting skills are atrocious and almost ruined everything before it really began. It was only once we gave in and decided to stop acting that we made positive headlines about our relationship. Because that’s the thing; so much of our relationship just feels inevitable. I’ve never believed in soul mates, but now that I’m with Asher, it’s hard to deny that if they exist, he’s mine and I’m his.
And now he’s proudly displaying that for the world.
Harrington and Catherine come to stand near us, and the four of us walk through the building’s entryway together, blinded by the insatiable flashing of cameras. Catherine walks next to me, giving the photographers exactly what they want, a side-by-side photo of Mrs. Catherine Rothschild Langfordand what everyone will assume is a possible future Mrs. Langford.
And at this point, I’m hoping for that, too.
At intermission,Catherine and I split from the Langford men and head to the bathroom. The line is ridiculously long, and we immediately begin to attract stares and a crowd. Both of our respective security officers decide waiting in line isn’t going to work and usher us away.
“You’ll have to wait and go once the performance picks back up unless we find a more private bathroom,” Jenkins says, apologetically.
“It’s fine,” I say. “I’d rather not pee with a crowd gawking at me the entire time, anyway.”
Catherine chuckles beside me, but her laugh peters out when we arrive back at our box and find the last person I want to see.
Katrina Antonov.
Anger bubbles inside me at the sight of her trying to get close to Asher. His security has blocked her, but not for lack of her trying to get to him.
“What the hell does she want now?” I mutter through clenched teeth.
“I know it was you!” Katrina shrieks, pushing against Robert while screaming at Asher. “I know it was you!”
What was him?
She looks crazed, and an idea sparks to life. I take out my phone and start recording.
“How could you do this?” Katrina shouts. “How dare you, Asher! How dare you!”
Asher stands impassive, looking at Katrina with boredom.
“Why couldn’t you just listen? We could have hadeverything! We could have joined our forces, joined our families, but you just won’t listen! We tried to be fair! But you denied us at every turn! And now you’ve . . . you’ve . . .” She breaks into a sob. “I’ll kill you! How dare you!”
At a nod from Asher, Katrina is hauled off her feet and forcibly removed by two security officers.
I stop recording and notice the gathered crowd. Several people around us are also recording Katrina’s antics, and I tamp down the smug smile that pulls at my lips. I get to work as security breaks up the crowd and leads me back to our box. I send the video to Emily and Matthew with a text on our group message.
I need you two to release this ASAP. Put out the story that Katrina is caught up in a jealous rage at the symphony. Include an official statement that Asher is not and has not been involved with Katrina in over twelve years, but his relationship with me has infuriated Katrina to the point where she’s been stalking him for the past few weeks to get back with him. Do whatever you have to do to paint her as an unhinged ex.
A minute later,Emily texts me back.
Emily: Damn, she’s batshit crazy. What was that all about?
