I take a deep inhale and paint a smile on my face. With my fingers wrapped around the brass handle, I let myself in. Cool air hits my face as I step inside. The room is massive, with high domed ceilings and beautiful crystal chandeliers. I’m so busy looking around myself that I hadn’t considered our guests. I’m surprised that no one has come over to greet me. I glance around and notice people sitting down on chairs with a slim narrow walkway down the centre.
I stop walking.Something is wrong.
I hurriedly scan the backs of people’s heads and faces, faces of people I don’t recognise. We must be in the wrong room because this isn’t a leaving party. If I didn’t know better, I’d say this was a—
“Come on.” Tyler appears out of nowhere and grabs my arm. “You need to change your outfit before the ceremony.”
“Ceremony?” My mouth instantly goes dry as Tyler pulls me toward a door leading into a side room.
“Tyler.” I yank my arm free as we enter what looks to be a storage room that has been transformed into a changing area. An oval mirror is secured to the wall and garments covered in black clothes bags hang on a portable rail. In my periphery I see Amber securing Freja’s hair into a neat up-style. They are both wearing matching peach dresses. I walk deeper into the room. “What the hell is going on!”
All eyes are on me as I stand, hands on hips, glowering at my roomie.
“Perhaps I should explain.”
I spin around and see Lucian making his way toward me. He is wearing a beige suit with a red silk cravat secured around his neck.
My eyes shoot daggers at Tyler. “You tricked me.”
“Just hear him out, will you?” Tyler says, and he, my sister and niece leave the room, leaving Lucian and me alone.
I scoop up the ruche skirt of my dress and pace back and forth. “This is underhanded deceit. You can’t arrange a wedding when the bride hasn’t even said yes.”
Lucian steps to the right and blocks my path. “Oh, but she has.”
I look at Lucian from under my lashes. God, he looks and smells so good. Being this close to him, it’s hard not to fall headfirst back into the fantasy. But a fantasy is all it was, and all it can ever be. I shake my head. “I said yes to being your fake fiancée. I never agreed to an actual wedding.”
Laughter erupts from his throat and he erases any distance between us. “This isn’t our wedding,”
Relief and disappointment course through me. “I’m confused. If not ours, whose?”
Lucian takes my hand and walks me a little way toward the door leading out into the large suite. I narrow my eyes and scan the sea of faces. “I don’t recognise anyone.”
Lucian lifts his arm and points toward the aisle. I squint and finally see a familiar face. “Is that Seth?”
“It sure is.”
Seth is Lizzie’s husband. “What is he doing here?”
Lucian sucks in a breath before speaking. “I can’t help feeling responsible for you missing Lizzie and Seth’s big day. So much, in fact, that I decided to bring their wedding here to you. Or rather the premature renewal of their vows.”
I spin to face Lucian, my mouth hanging open. “You did all of this for me?”
Lucian adjusts the cravat at his neck. “You really don’t know the lengths I would go to to secure your happiness.”
I place my hands in Lucian’s and squeeze. “You have no idea what this means.”
Lucian releases my hands, wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close. It doesn’t go unnoticed how right we feel together, and yet I’m pulling away. Lucian leans forward, his lips locating the shell of my ear.
“I was offered Calloway Housebuilders.”
I tense at his words. Lucian’s father will never accept me whilst his son is running the Calloways’ leading company. “Well done,” I say, and attempt to wriggle free of his hold.
“I didn’t sign the contract, Chelsea.”
My body stills instantly. “What? Why?”
Lucian’s emerald gaze connects with mine, and I can feel the deep intensity in his stare. “There is something, or rather someone, I want more.” Lucian leans toward me and doesn’t stop until his lips are inches from mine. “Tell me to go and I’ll walk out of that door and you’ll never see me again. Tell me to stay and…”