“Of course,” I didn’t hesitate to respond. I was going to win best actress for portraying Mrs. Brock Holland.
“Thank you. You’re a beautiful couple, and your story is so inspiring.”
Oh, I hoped no one was inspired to be like us.
Brock did his duty and put his arm around me. I had to hold my breath. His scent and touch were hard to resist. We smiled while the woman took a dozen pictures with her phone.
“Wow. Just wow,” she kept saying. “We are so honored to have met you.”
“Thank you,” Brock responded. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Best wishes to your son.” He kept his hand on the small of my back and led us the rest of the way to the ballroom, where the press had already congregated. It was showtime, again. Lights flashed in our faces like we were arriving on the red carpet. Questions were being lobbed at us so fast I had no idea what was being asked.
Brock held up a hand. “Tonight is about my brother and his fiancée. My wife and I are only here to celebrate them.”
It pricked my heart when he referred to me as his wife. It sounded so genuine coming out of his mouth, but we both knew the truth. The man couldn’t even stand for me to tell him that I loved him. He wouldn’t even sleep in the same bed as me with pillows between us.
The press still lobbed questions at us as we entered the grand ballroom. Everything glittered and sparkled, from the enormous flower arrangements on each table with sparkler-looking things shooting out of them to the rhinestone-encrusted napkin holders. Going overboard on the bling was an understatement. I was sure it was meant to look elegant, but it looked tacky to me.
Brock chuckled under his breath. “We should have worn sunglasses.”
“Yeah,” was all I could think of to say. Normally, I would have tried to be witty and charming, or at least match his playfulness, but it had never gotten me anywhere, and I was tired.
“Dani.” Brock tipped my chin with his finger. “Can we please hit the reset button? I’m sorry,” he whispered.
I didn’t get a chance to answer, which was a good thing. His sincerity would be my undoing if I wasn’t careful.
Sheridan and John approached us.
“Dani,” Sheridan sang with open arms. “You are simply a vision.” She wrapped me up, even though she was shorter than me.
I took a moment to soak in the comfort she provided, as guilty as it made me feel. “Thank you. You look beautiful.” And she did. Her floor-length azure chiffon-and-lace dress was elegant. She was a classic beauty who I swore would never age.
Sheridan waved me off. “I’m feeling older every day.”
“Nonsense,” John disagreed. “You are more beautiful than the day we met.”
I believed he meant that. He was such a confusing man.
John’s eyes darted between me and Brock. “We are the luckiest men in this room.”
“Absolutely,” Brock agreed.
Odd, I didn’t believe Brock as much as his father at this moment. But oh, how I wanted to.
“Listen to these men.” Sheridan gave me a big toothy grin. “Such charmers they are.”
“Yes.” I returned her smile, playing my part.
Sheridan strung her arm through mine. “I’m going to steal you away for a while. There are some people I would like you to meet.” She faced Brock. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I will be anxiously waiting for your return,” he addressed me.
I gave him a nod before I was off with my mother-in-law. The room was becoming more and more crowded, which was saying something for how large it was. I swore they’d hired a philharmonic orchestra to play. Classical tunes filled the air as the elite and wealthy mingled. Many sitting senators and representatives were among them, along with their security, who discreetly watched their every move.
Brant and Jill were at the center of it all. I wished I could say the happy couple, but Brant, while smiling, had an air of stoicism around him. Jill, on the other hand, gripped Brant’s arm so tight she was in danger of breaking a nail. And not to be catty, but the poor thing had gone overboard on her ensemble. Her strappy silver dress looked like an ill-fitting disco ball. And her hair had been so teased, it could probably hide a small mammal.
Sheridan leaned in closer, noticing where my gaze had drifted off to, and whispered, “I hate to be critical of anyone, especially future family, but Jill was either ill-advised or she has bigger problems than I feared.”
My brow arched. “What problems?”
“Keep walking,” she said, as quiet as a mouse. “It will make our conversation look natural and not draw any attention. Remember that. This town has eyes and ears everywhere.”
A shiver went through me—and not the good kind.