florists, and planners moved like ants with c

y and nerves, and in the centre of it, all stood Mira-stil

aircase, a pale blue fold

the wedding details she'd barely contributed

the honeyed voice

ls too sharp for her age, her eyes piercing

ur and walked like a woman

swered, quickly strai

ething that might have been a s

me you wanted lilie

My mom loved them. Th

head as though Mira had just

edding. But for a Cole ceremony?" She

stes, darling. Simplicity do

eath the soft tone. "Of

most of the wedding arrangements to his

o stay detached or if he regrett

itting is in an hour,

n us. She's handled dresse

l br

ckly smiled. "You know what I mean. Soc

e just nodded, clutch

silence, Mira stared out the window, w

was a s

understand. And Victoria ma

white silk and ivory lace. Victoria immediat

oo simple-it doesn'

wrinkles ea

remony, are you? We can't have you lookin

in a dress that shimmered like s

ther's daughter. Just a woman swa

once. "That's t

Her reflection di

e mansion, Mira sat on the edge of the bed

them got together on her graduation day.

ed as Mira slipped away to one of t

ia's veiled insults still echoed in her mind, h

bed, the golden afternoon light cas

r, trying to suppress

r creak

olted

m voice said.

Car

ressed in casual slacks an

person in this house who seemed to acknowledge

" he said, stepping inside and g

mall smile. "I n

oor, watching her for a beat. "Nat

to say much. Her e

. an acquired taste. Took me years t

r figure it out." Mira

p and displayed like an ornament in a shop window. And deep

at's not true. And even if it were... this is

about the contract. I know I'm not what he pictured. I'm not glamorous, or powerf

a beat o

way out?" Lia

s lifted

f this doesn't feel right... yo

at him, hea

answer w

hat Nathan expected, but I'm not doing this to win anyone's approval. I'm doi

ietly. "You're stro

mile. "Some days I ha

oke the moment. One of

le is asking for you

othing her dres

ou ever need someone to

, Liam. I

go knock some se

*

private office, the air ins

lves, a massive glass desk at the centre, and floor-to-ceilin

something on his tablet. When he h

simple beige dress, then

ing session early,"

eded

say something

nside, her chin liftin

, placing the tablet do

Don't bother. It won't

er. She's not the

. it wasn't warm, but it wasn't cold

d stood a few feet away fr

a

u still want to go

t hesitat

nched, but he ga

ssistant will go over your talking points

ated. "This is just a busin

ened. "What di

be something that felt a little more hu

sed through Nathan's eye

aid quietly. "But I admire your resolve. You're not

oice soft. "And yo

ed bluntly. "Stabil

h other perfectly," Mir

ss in her voice-bit

man who would play the game. Who would pretend? Not some

ding," she whis

her

then turned away. "The tailor will arrive

t, the conver

to leave, his voice

ir

rned h

. But... I don't wan

t thing to warmth

ough to make

row. Be your very bes

specially when your mother