The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée

“No, but if you meet me at Hugh’s in the next ten minutes, I’ll give you far less grief about it than you can imagine.”

“I can manage ten minutes.” Julian hesitated. “Does this mean I’m getting the catering team?”

Sebastian nearly drove off the road. “Catering team? A wedding chapel doesn’t need a catering team.”

“That’s too bad. My schedule just filled up. I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it to Hugh’s on such short notice after all.”

“We’ll talk about it.” There was no way Sebastian was going to approve additional funds for catering at a wedding chapel. Not with all the capable restaurants in town. But now was not the time to hardline that issue with Julian. “I need you at Hugh’s. It’s imperative I talk to both of you.”

Julian’s voice finally took on an edge of concern. “Did something happen to Tessa? What’s Evangeline done now?”

“Show up at Hugh’s and I’ll tell you.”

And to Julian’s credit, he did, arriving eight minutes after Sebastian. Once they were seated in Hugh’s living room and Stanhill had started pouring a round of whiskeys, Sebastian explained what had occurred.

His brothers blinked at him.

Hugh was the first to speak. “You can’t seriously mean to do this.”

“Tessa’s agreed to it. I wouldn’t be going through with it otherwise. And what’s my alternative? Let Evangeline go to the council? That’s all well and good until the outcome is in her favor.”

Julian shook his head. “But truth is on your side. She’s the one who abandoned you.”

Sebastian nodded. “I know that. We know that. But you know what she’s like. She’s very convincing. And I have no physical proof that she ever cheated on me.”

“We’ll testify on your behalf,” Hugh said.

“I appreciate that but as convoluted as it sounds, marrying Tessa is easier. And it might be the only way to get Evangeline to sign the dissolution papers.”

Julian swirled his glass, turning the amber liquid within into a miniature cyclone. “Sounds like you have your mind made up, but have you really thought this through? What if Tessa gets a grand idea about what this means? What if she turns into another Evangeline?”

“She won’t. She’s nothing like Evangeline. And we’ve talked about it. She’s doing this to help me.”

Hugh snorted. “And the job you offered her has no part in this? Do you think she’d be so agreeable if the position of dean suddenly evaporated?”

“I’m not about to rescind that offer. But yes, I think she would be. She’s…not like any other woman I’ve ever known.”

Julian let out a loud, “Oh.” He shook his head. “I see exactly what’s going on now.”

“What?”

Julian’s eyes sparkled. “You like her.”

“Of course, I like her. She’s whip-smart, funny, kind and doing me an incredible favor. What’s not to like? She’s the anti-Evangeline if ever there was one.”

Julian smirked.

Hugh glanced from Julian to Sebastian. “Is that true? You can’t be in love with the woman. You’ve only known her three days.”

“I’m not in love.” Not that he would confess to his brothers. “But I do like her. And what if I was in love? That’s my business.”

Hugh stood, leaving his drink behind on the coffee table to pace toward the French doors that led into his garden. “Sebastian, you deserve happiness more than any of us, but to tie yourself down again before the first entanglement is even over is ludicrous.”

“I’m not tying myself down to Tessa. I am, at most, starting a relationship with her.” Sebastian massaged the back of his neck, trying to keep his emotions at bay. “I appreciate your concerns, I do, but I came here seeking your assistance, not your judgment on my life.”

“We’re not judging you.” Julian looked suddenly very much like the little boy Sebastian still remembered him as. “But you’re our brother and that gives us some right to be concerned. That’s all. We don’t want you mucked up again just as you’re about to be free. But if you care about Tessa, truly care about her, then I say good for you. You’ve been alone a long time and that can’t have been easy.”

Julian’s words couldn’t have surprised Sebastian more if his youngest brother had suddenly announced he was joining the priesthood. Julian was the last of them he’d expected to understand.

Even Hugh turned to stare at his playboy brother with an expression that said he wasn’t sure what he’d just heard. “This is one of those rare occasions when Julian is right. I cannot imagine my life without Delaney. To think how long you’ve been without that sort of companionship…” He shook his head. “We’ll do whatever you need. That goes without question.”

“Thank you.” Sebastian took a sip of whiskey, then set the glass aside. “I would like you both to be at the chapel when Tessa and I marry.”

“Done,” they said in unison.

Sebastian nodded, thinking to the future. “I also need you to make sure Evangeline doesn’t leave until she signs my life back to me. And you may use any means necessary to ensure that outcome.”

Ever After was a gorgeous store dedicated to the icon of womanliness that was the wedding dress. Yes, there were racks of other kinds of formal gowns, but those were tucked away in little alcoves, just like the small corner that held the tuxedos.