When her gaze met his, she felt her stomach do a flip. He looked so incredibly handsome. She’d seen him in a tuxedo before, but there was something different about the way he looked tonight. It was the expression on his face. There wasn’t love there, but she did see admiration. Unmasked attraction. Deep respect. He knew how big a sacrifice she was making for him and he appreciated it. He just didn’t love her for it. Not the way she loved him.
Francesca had to remind herself to smile and not get lost in her thoughts as they took the last few steps to the ceremony platform.
The minister began the ceremony, and her father leaned in to kiss her before handing her over to Liam for good. She couldn’t meet his eyes then. If he saw the panic and fear there, he’d drag her down the aisle while everyone watched in horror. Instead, she closed her eyes and leaned in to his kiss.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too.”
At that, he put her hand in Liam’s and they stepped up together to be married.
Francesca thought she would be okay until she had to take that first step and her knees turned soft. It was only Liam’s firm, reassuring grasp that kept her upright. He guided her to the minister, her hand clasped tightly in his.
“I won’t let you fall. We can do this,” he whispered with a smile and a wink.
She nodded and squeezed his hand.
The ceremony began, but it was a blur to her. The minister spoke, she repeated her vows, they exchanged rings and the next thing she knew, she was kissing her husband in front of a hundred people.
The roar of applause and the cheers were like a slap in the face, snapping her back into reality. The minister presented them as Mr. and Mrs. Liam Crowe as they turned to the audience. She clung to Liam’s arm as they walked back down the aisle together as husband and wife.
When they rounded the corner to exit the terrace, Ariella was waiting for them. She escorted them back to the bridal room to wait for pictures while the guests made their way to the ballroom for cocktails.
Francesca rested her bouquet on the dressing table beside the broken mirror and slumped into her chair.
It was done. They were married.
They still had to sign the official paperwork for the license, but that would arrive any second now.
She almost couldn’t believe it. She felt numb, like she was walking through a dream wedding instead of one in real life. It had been a beautiful ceremony, but it wasn’t how she imagined her wedding day would be. No matter how many different ways she had pictured her big day, there was always a common element.
She looked over at Liam. He eyed the champagne glasses for a moment before crossing the room to pick them up. He handed one to her and held out his own for a toast.
“One day of marriage done. Three hundred and sixty-four to go.”
With a sigh, she took a deep draw from her champagne flute and closed her eyes before the tears threatened to spill over.
One critical thing was missing from her fantasy wedding: a man who loved and adored her more than anything else on earth. And that was the one thing Scarlet and Ariella hadn’t been able to provide.
Twelve
Liam was worried about Francesca. As she’d walked down the aisle toward him, she was literally the most beautiful bride he’d ever seen. The white gown was quite flattering against the warm color of her skin and it fit her curves like a glove.
For a moment, it had all become a little too real. His breath had caught in his throat. His mouth had gone bone-dry. His heart had raced a thousand miles an hour in his chest. Francesca was about to be his wife. And in that instant, he’d wanted her to be in every sense of the word.
It was a strange feeling. One he hadn’t experienced before. He’d been fond of a lot of women over the years. He genuinely liked and respected Francesca. That was probably as close to “love” as he’d ever gotten. Marriage hadn’t crossed his mind yet. He assumed he would get to that point in his life eventually. The Queen Bee had just accelerated his schedule.
Liam wasn’t sure if it was the flowers or the music. The way she looked in that dress or the happy tears of his mother. But he was committed to the moment. He was excited to marry Francesca. Maybe this year wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe…maybe there could be more than just a business arrangement between them. A real relationship.
He was snapped back to reality by the stony expression on Francesca’s face. There was no happy, bridal glow. No tears of joy. No smile of excitement. She didn’t look outright unhappy; she was covering it well, but Liam knew she was on the edge. The reality of lying to all their friends and family must be weighing heavily on her. He understood. That was why he’d given her the option not to go through with the marriage. But she’d insisted. She wasn’t the type of woman to go back on her word. She would choke it down and do what had to be done.