In some situations, it really can.
After we eat, we all retire to the drawing room, where my father pours whiskey for everyone except Mom and me.
We’re served a pink cocktail that tastes like strawberries and cream.
It slides smoothly down my throat while over the edge of my glass I watch Falco.
Like always, he’s watching me like a hawk.
With each sip of my cocktail, my mind wanders to what life would be like if this was a typical family having a normal dinner with everyone being friends.
I’d flirt openly with Falco until he took me in those strong arms and ripped this dress from my body, then I’d remove his tie with my teeth and finally get my hands on that gorgeous body of his.
If only.
“Aerin?” Mom appears at my elbow and I jolt, dragging myself from my thoughts.
“What?”
“Don’twhatme,” she says with a sigh. “It’s impolite.”
“Sorry.”
“Mhm. Your father and I want to talk to you.”
Dad melts out of the crowd with a warm smile on his face. “Aerin. You look beautiful tonight,” he says while kissing my cheek.
“Thank you. I love this dress.”
“Yes, it suits you,” Mom replies as if she wasn’t against the dress from the beginning.
“You’ve spoken with Frederick, yes?” Dad turns and suddenly Frederick is added to our cluster.
I smile politely and nod, tucking a few escaped strands of hair behind my ears. “Yes, a little over dinner. Nice to see you again.”
“Nice to see you too,” he replies, his chin held high as his nerves betray him.
“Well, there’s no point in beating around the bush,” Dad says. “Aerin, you and Frederick are to be married. The main point of this dinner is so the two of you can familiarize yourselves with one another.”
The ground suddenly plummets away from me as my father’s words loop around my mind.
Behind his head, Falco’s brow lifts as the words reach him too.
“I’m sorry,” I gasp, my voice strained. “Married?”
“Yes,” Dad continues. “It’s all worked out with the captain. Given the bad blood between our families over the years, this is the perfect way to ensure that both sides hold up their end of the bargain. In turn, the joining of two families from different organizations will benefit us all in the long run.”
Dad might as well have been speaking Portuguese from how much I understand the words coming out of his mouth. I always knew this was a possibility.
From a young age, Mom has always instilled in me the value of being a wife to someone.
That value quadrupled when Dad made me the family heir, and it’s why he’s so intent on ensuring no one touches me.
I’m to remain pure until my wedding night. That’s my true value.
But now? This isn’t real.
I must be dreaming.
