“We only want you to end up safe and happy,” Angel says finally after everyone’s grown too quiet.

“What do you say? Will you marry me? Can you accept this plan after only knowing me for one week? Will you have any chance at being… happy if we do this?” Royce asks.

Still uncertain as to how to speak about this in front of Sage, who’s big blue eyes are so wide and shining with the lies that have him thinking Royce is truly in love with me, I decide to answer from my heart, but only with words that I know will be safe until I can speak with Royce alone: “I’m so humbled that you all thought of this, that you want to protect us. If the result will keep Sage and I together, of course I will be happy.” I smile softy at my little brother. “And if it doesn’t work, I can safely say that Sage and I will at least be very happy that we tried. Is that enough of an answer for now?”

“Is that a yes?” Royce tightens his grip on my hands.

“Yes. Okay. Yes. but…” I dart a glance at Royce then look incredulously at everyone surrounding us. “But you can call it off any time you want and I hope you can accept my apologies for causing all of this mess. If we’d never come here to Orlando, none of this would have happened.”

Royce releases my hands, but only so that he can pull me into his side and drape his arm around my shoulders. “You think you ran away, came here and caused us all trouble, but don’t you see your impact on all of us? You brought us all together, you’ve melted everyone’s hearts, all while caring for little Apple, and I think you’ve changed our lives forever. Please never say that again. Imagine if we’d never met.”

“I am imagining it right now. How can I not?”

Mrs. Perino shakes her head at me. “Never say that again, Robin. Without you and Sage, where would we be today? Angel and I would still be stuck grieving for Cara. Even better, now we all get to keep you in our lives forever. Once things die down, you will always get to be ours. If you’d never run away and met us, where would be all be today? Still absolutely lost. That’s what.”

Sage’s smile is so wide it’s almost falling off of his face. “Someone pinch me. Is this a dream? My sister is marrying the lead singer of Guarderobe and he’s going to save me from foster care. They’re right, Robin.” Sage laughs. “You’re special and that’s why all of this is happening and why Royce told me he fell in love with you so fast.”

“Is that so?” I feel my face heat fire-hot and I don’t answer more, because they’ve all been so nice about how I messed up everything for all of them, I have nothing else to say.

Sage marches over and stands in front of me and Royce. “I can tell she likes you back so much. She’s turning red every time she looks at you, like she did back when she had a crush on this lame-ass hockey player at her school, but Royce, I need to discuss a few more things with you about my sister. Man-to-Man. Because like…yeah. It’s only been one week and this is my sister we’re talking about.”

“Okay?” Royce’s smile fades, and he gives me a look that reads half panicked, half guilty. “Shoot.”

“Even though you’re famous and rich and possibly my favorite person in the world outside of my family, I need to be sure of your intentions. That she’s going to be okay, that you will treat her like she’s made of glass, that you will never be mean to her or hurt her feelings, that you won’t…uh…drink or drive with her in your car and that you will never shout at her even if she is annoying, because my dad would want me to ask all of this stuff and more.”

“Aww.” Vere’s got her hands up to her chest. “I love Robin’s little brother.”

Sage colors at that but he forges on with his head held high. “Maybe you are in love with my sister, because I fell in love with a girl last year in ten short minutes, so I get how that can happen, but you two haven’t even been on any dates yet as far as I know. Because if you had, Robin would have told me, so how can you just get married without all of that first? She doesn’t even have a ring!”

Royce laughs. “You’re so right. I agree that it’s all happening backwards and your father would agree, it’s way too fast.”

Sage nods, flicking me a glance. “He would punch you in the face for even asking her. If he saw you kissing her? Dude,” Sage shakes his head and punches a fist into his other hand. “I’d have to drag that man off of you.”

Hunter and Adam crack up at that, while Royce holds his hands up like a shield against my brother. “And I’d deserve it.” Royce starts, “But, Robin is going to be okay. More than okay. She and I are taking this slow. I can only give you my solemn promise. Man-to-man like you wanted, that I vow not to hurt her in any way. We’re getting married to save you, my little future brother-in-law and future friend, from getting shafted into foster care. Your sister and I will date while we are married, and we will check every box on whatever list you hand me that you think your father would like me to do before being worthy of your sister. And eventually, our relationship will even out and she and I will be just like every other married couple.”

A small laugh escapes my lips at that, because he’s made it all sound so easy, when in fact this is crazy! Flicking me a look, Royce turns back to Sage. “Also, please know that Robin gets to call all the shots. I won’t kiss her or even hold her hand without asking permission, okay? I even asked her if I could do the kiss that you saw. I swear.”

Sage crinkles his forehead. “Is that true, Robin? He asked permission? Would dad be okay with this?”

I nod, because I can’t say yes out loud. There is no way in hell our dad would approve of this.

“Well then, I’m in.”

“Thanks, bro. It’s so important to me that you’re with us.”

I almost laugh again but clamp my lips together, because Sage looks so happy that Royce Devlin the rockstar just called him bro, that it’s obvious the kid’s mind has been wiped clean of all rational thoughts.

Royce goes on, “Unfortunately, the details are going to have to develop on the fly now that the paparazzi has written lies about her. I’m going to ask you the same thing I asked her. Can you at least trust us and your sister’s choice to marry me enough to help us out by playing along during all of this?”

“I’ve been playing along ever since she and I ran away. I know how to do that.”

“We’ll talk again before we leave in a bit, because I’ve got a few other things to share with you. Secrets and surprise wedding type things. Okay?”

Sage looks at me doubtfully for some last assurance, but I already know his answer. These are his idols. As long as I don’t look distressed, only happy and calm, from this point forward, my brother will agree to anything Royce Devlin suggests. I use all of my strength to nod, wrap my own arm around Royce’s waist and make sure my face, my body and my pasted on smile read all of that and more.

Mrs. Perino calls out to Sage, “How about you go check on the girls for us, Sage, while we all get the rest of this plan sorted?”

While he’s running off, I can only shake my head at all of them. “Thank you. Thank you so much. But why didn’t you tell me right when you arrived that you had this idea to get married?” I step out from under Royce’s arm.

“You’d have bolted or tried to get out of it,” Angel answers. “Admit it.”

Again, I don’t answer, because I hate that he’s right.

“My dear,” Mrs. Felix spins her wheelchair around the patio circle like she’s pacing. “We didn’t tell you the wedding plan on purpose, because we felt you’d be much more convincing in your natural, genuine state in front of that cameraman when Royce got down on his knees so the photographer could get his shot.” She pauses in front of me and reaches to finger the bottom edges of my veil hanging past my waist. “We set you up, dear. We had all of the candles lit in the garden and this is my veil, from my very own dress, and we’re all dressed up to look like we stopped here before the concert to be at an engagement party.”

“That’s what the awkward kneeling in front of me was all about?” I ask.

Royce nods. “Only I forgot to give you the ring.”

“He wasn’t supposed to kiss you at all,” Mrs. Perino says. “He was only supposed to offer you a ring so the photographer could get photos of him putting it on your finger.”

Royce shrugs. “Sorry. This girl and the way she looks at me with those big eyes of hers, she scrambles my brain. Besides she’s so gorgeous in that veil, what’s a fiancé supposed to do?”

Mrs. Felix is shaking her head at Royce. “Follow the plan.”

“Why did you all do this much of a set up? Why a ring and a garden party and…all of this?” I ask.

“My grandson is not going to marry you without doing it right, and having a formal engagement party and a real engagement with his family looking on, no matter how short, is the correct way to proceed.”

Vere adds, “When you took off so fast the other day, you left your purse.” After the gossip article went viral, we had a group meeting as to what plan we should create and we came up with this one. I found your ID which was so lucky because we needed to get a marriage license this afternoon. The stylists popped in colored contacts so I could have blue eyes like yours, and they also curled my hair into a million curls to try to match yours. Royce and I put on hats sunglasses and baggy clothes to pretend we were obviously in disguise, off we went to get a wedding license. We paid off the people in the office to keep silent which usually works to make people talk double, but in this case, it backfired. They never told anyone.”

Royce laughs at that. “We thought the people working there would have leaked that information by now. My name connected to yours is what we wanted, and as quickly as possible. That leak would have helped us a ton, but they didn’t tell, so we had to regroup, rally the photographer and come here and create the stir in person with the hired photographer.” Royce nods. “Now that you’re eighteen, you can get legally married to me without a parent’s signature. And don’t worry, it’s in name only, of course. Like, we don’t, won’t—you know.”

“You most certainly will not, young man. After the wedding kiss, which is necessary to make this believable, you two can stop all of that, of course.” Mrs. Felix scolds.

“I don’t think that’s exactly true,” Royce answers, his face going somber. “Robin’s going to have kiss me in public a ton as the months go by. We’ll have to go out, and get into each other’s space while I’m on tour, and while I’m visiting her when she starts art school, because that all has to look as real as the wedding looks, or we’re all sunk.”

I bite my lower lip, processing all that he’s saying.

Mrs. Felix wheels her chair around in a little circle, looking between me and Royce while clicking her tongue with her usual, disapproving, “Tsk. Tsk.” Before saying, “I was so focused on preparing the wedding details, I didn’t think about what might come next.”

“Well I did.” Royce also starts pacing around. “So you guys can’t bust on me every damn minute about those kisses if you want, but I won’t go one step further if Robin’s not okay with what happens in public after we’re married. It must be believable. We are going to have to sleep in the same hotel rooms and cuddle up in restaurants and limos, flirt with each other on red carpets, and hug or look meaningfully at each other at charity events and award shows. We will hold hands everywhere, and be a real couple, or this won’t work.” He stops in front of me. “Are you okay with that part of it? Are you, truly? Because if any of that scares you, we may as well not proceed.”

“I, uh.” I place my hands over my heated cheeks. “What am I supposed to say here? I’m not afraid of all that. And I trust you won’t go over the line with me.”

“I won’t,” he promises quietly.

I look away and let out a shuddering breath, not bringing up that each we’ve shared has already gone way over all of the lines! To change the subject away from kissing, I add, “But what do you mean by months going by? And what do you mean…when I start art school?”

“Oh, dear, Robin. The wedding part of the plan is going to be quick but, the marriage, that will take at least a year.” Mrs. Felix wheels closer to take my hand. “It’s the only way. At first, I thought a long engagement would work, but the attorneys said that in order for us to protect Sage, you must legally bind yourself to us so you and he can have access to our financial stability. Our combined sets of lawyers have already drawn up documents. They’ve assured me that no one will be able to take Sage from you if we do this. They’ve also advised us to use the media to build a sympathetic case about you. We are, from this point forward, to be open and honest about how you ran away to protect your little brother. We shall reveal how Royce is marrying you fast to save your little brother from being taken, how your father has been lost and how no one can find him, and we will openly publicize how much you miss your father and what you did all by yourself to stay by Sage’s side. It is our job to make sure the public finds this story poignant, romantic and irresistible.”

“Which it is,” Vere breathes out. “It really is.”

“I don’t have to keep any of that a secret anymore?” Overcome, I sit down at one of the picnic tables.

“The only secret will be that you and Royce aren’t really in love,” Mrs. Felix confirms. “But it’s important that the press believes you are and that they pick up the whole entire story. Government organizations like social services get very helpful and work extra hard to do the right thing when bright lights and cameras are pointed at them. Once the North Carolina caseworker is satisfied we are all doing what’s best for you and that Sage is safe and supported, which he will be, you will come to New York City to live with us, and you can be in the penthouse with us as well, and go to Ridley in the fall as planned.”

“Meaning you won’t have to defer.” Vere hugs herself. “Isn’t that awesome?”

“I’ll get to start my scholarship?” My head starts spinning and Royce comes over to sit by me as though he understands I need someone to hold my hand.

Mrs. Felix continues, “Since Sage needs a home and to go to school, we assumed you wouldn’t want to be too far from him while you also began university. The Orb hotel in NYC will be your new basecamp. You won’t get to have your dorms, dear, but we will get special guardianship of your brother assigned to you, all while myself and Gregory will become Sage’s other legal guardians. Until your father is found, Sage will go to the best private preparatory academy in Manhattan and you shall keep your husband’s grandmother company while Royce is out on tour. If that works for you, Robin. You can, of course, say no to any of this.”

I breathe in a full breath and finally, I feel like smiling. “That works. If you and the lawyers think it works, then, it works.”

“For now the plan is that you will be flown out to visit me on breaks once the tour starts, and I’ll come home when I can,” Royce adds, squeezing my hand. “Because we will miss each other very much, considering we are going to be newlyweds and all that. But don’t hold me to that plan, as you know how they change.”

“Now that we’ve said it out loud, how does it all sound? Really?” Mrs. Felix drives her wheelchair to stop in front of me and Royce.

“Like I’m in one of those historical novels where my husband’s gone off to war after ravishing me, but they made us marry while holding shotguns to our backs, and now and I’m stuck living with the kind dowager duchess in her elegant mansion?”

“Exactly what I thought.” She beams at me. “Isn’t it all so very proper and perfect? There’s not a chink in our armor.” Mrs. Felix claps her hands. “I also will be thrilled to have extra company—family—in my too-large, Manhattan home, dear. It’s going to be wonderful.”

Adam adds, “I will announce my marriage to Eve tonight, as well. To keep all of the cameras off of you, Robin, we will show off our baby just as soon as Eve, Apple, and I are reunited. She won’t like it, but once she gets over the shock of having to do it, she will rally.”

Royce sits beside me again, and puts his arm around me so he can slide me closer to him. “Best of all, the media storm all of this will cause will ensure that no one even remembers you stayed a week in Orlando at a house owned by people with the last name Perino, or that people once gossiped about you being a prostitute. Okay?”

“We’ll also make sure the Perino’s stay out of the news, dear,” Mrs. Felix agrees. “Once things calm down, we will figure out a way to integrate the Perinos back into our lives sooner or later.”

“Sooner,” Gregory almost shouts, scowling darkly. “And I don’t give a crap if things don’t calm down. If I have anything to do with it, the Perinos will be moving to New York City eventually, too. Or, I will be moving down here.” Gregory flicks Mrs. Perino a sweet smile and she smiles back, blushing like a teenager.

Mrs. Felix smiles fondly at her son. “One love story at a time, please. Back to Robin. She shall have to visit Royce at various cities around the world over the summer. And like Royce said, however inappropriate, you’ll have to pretend to be newlyweds when you do visit, whatever that entails, but with strict limits, of course, until we all decide on when to get you two divorced.”

“Grandmother, please. Let’s just get through today.” Royce shakes his head.

I take a deep breath and swallow it all down, trying to stem my waves of panic by focusing on my dad’s mantra like I always do: One minute. One day at a time. Only, for the first time, those words don’t bring me solace and I speak my thoughts out loud, “Two years. Two years could feel like…forever, I glance doubtfully at Royce. “What if life is going on, and we’re living in this fake relationship—but what if we want to be with other—people, or…” my voice trails off to a whisper. “What if this messes up, fate or destiny or we simply get lonely?”

“If that comes up, we shall figure it out, but we must make a pact that neither of you will jeopardize the reputations we’re trying to save should that occur.” Mrs. Felix frowns darkly at Royce. “Nor will you engage anyone else in any—activities—and you know what I mean, Royce Devlin. Not without notifying all of us. Without some sort of vote.”

“Christ, no,” Royce almost yells. “Zero engaging? You want us to vote? Grandmother, you should hear yourself. I’ve played along this whole time and so has Robin, but there’s no way that plan will fly.” His sigh sounds completely frustrated as he lowers his voice back to calm, and adds, “Robin, we don’t have to decide about any of that now. If it comes up, and you’ve made a very good point that it might, we will discuss it as friends. And grandmother, to appease you, we will promise to discuss that between each other well before taking any sort of…real…personal…action with anyone else. Can you live with that, Robin?”

I manage a small nod and stare down at my shoes. My head’s suddenly too heavy to move, because it’s throbbing with this—this plan, and the next plan, and the plan for two years from now. I want to protest, scream, cry, and I want to run; but the adult who came all the way to Orlando to save her little brother won’t let me move, because that person is exactly who I am now.

Realizing that I’m now unwavering in my ‘failure is not an option’ mantra that Sage and I started out with when we first ran away, even if it means getting married tonight, makes all of the fear rush out of my body.

These wonderful people have even considered the unthinkable. They’re right. This marriage is a solution that seems like it’s going to work. Despite the mountains of awkward and uncomfortable situations Royce and I are going to have to climb through, and even if it takes almost two years to climb ourselves out, it should work. If I handle myself correctly this time. If I don’t crumble and mess it up. If I can trust others to help.

Mrs. Perino has stepped up to me, but when I don’t react or look up she squats down and places her face close to mine and snaps me out of my thoughts. She has unshed tears in her eyes as she tells me what I already know: “These are good people here, Robin. I wouldn’t let you or Sage go one inch from this house if I didn’t believe Mrs. Felix’s lawyers could pull it off. You will save everyone’s future. Yours, theirs and ours.”

Quietly, I ask, “I know Sage is why I’m agreeing to this, but is taking me and my brother, and all of our problems on, too much to ask of everyone else?” My eyes finally lock with Royce’s again. He looks so concerned for me, that I feel guilty. “What about Royce?” I blurt out. “What about all that he’s going to go through because of this? Wait. What about you, Royce?”

His arm tightens around me. “I want to make this right, Robin. This plan does not phase me. Okay? I could do this fake marriage in my sleep. Only good will come of this. I swear.”

“Our album sales will probably soar,” Adam calls out. “They always do when we create spectacles and this will be our biggest yet!”

I glance steadily at each person circling me, letting the remaining doubts fade away and replace it with sheer gratitude. “You’ve all thought this through so thoroughly. Thank you.”

“We’re really good at this stuff,” Hunter adds. “Believe in us. Once the shock wears off it might even be fun.”

I shake my head, watching Royce through my lashes again, as he leaves my side to intercept Sage who’s coming back out from checking on Anna and Julia. The smile he gives Royce is so excited and genuine I become afraid all over again. Not for me, but for Sage, and for what my brother might think of me when it’s all over?

I nod in Sage’s direction. “What will we tell Sage about all this? He thinks this love is for real right now.”

Mrs. Perino sighs. “We fought over how and what he should be told, but it was Royce who came up with the best plan. He knows you well enough to know that you wouldn’t want Sage to be forced to lie anymore. We also know Sage well enough to understand he’d blow anyone’s cover within an hour because he’s too excitable and a terrible liar anyhow.” She points at Royce. “Royce is telling Sage the same story he’s going to tell the fans.”

“Which is?”

Mrs. Felix says, “Currently he’s telling him how the wedding is going to go. Sage’s pure excitement and happy perspective is bound to create a sense of reality to anyone ho talks to him. The press will love him, and when you can’t answer questions, as I’m sure will happen, Sage will be there with you to fill up all of the holes by simply being himself.”

I nod, agreeing with her. “Being himself after his sister is married to the lead singer of Guarderobe, his favorite band, you mean.” I almost laugh, imagining Sage on a red carpet. “He’s going to live his fan-boy dreams, isn’t he?”

“He’ll have a blast.” Mrs. Felix chuckles. “He can’t do that if he’s faking things and worrying about if he’s saying the right stuff or protecting you. Only this small inner circle will know the truth. The entourage won’t know, the stylists won’t know, only us. Do you agree it’s a good layer on the plan?”

“It’s great. Yes. Okay. Why not?”

“It will be hard for you to have to lie to your own brother sometimes, though,” Adam cautions.

“I don’t care. I only want to see him smile how he’s smiling right now. I only want him to be happy, and—look at him. He’s so happy.”

We glance over at Royce again, who’s smiling like my brother has charmed him completely. Sage’s ongoing and ever-widening grin tells me he’s equally thrilled by whatever Royce is telling him. I over hear Sage shout out, “Sure. Yes!” And then, “Dude, that’s the best idea ever. She will love that. You know my sister so well.” Royce leans in and whispers something more, to which Sage responds, “Heck yes, but to do that I’m going to need to borrow a cell phone.”

“Done. This all means we’re going to be real brothers now, right?” Royce adds, walking Sage back over to me.

“Real brothers?” I whisper under my breath, “Anyone else suddenly feel queasy?”

Sage’s eyes get wide as he overhears me. “I know from watching reality shows that brides often do vomit on days like this. Be calm, Robin. Royce has promised to take such good care of us. They have it all set up—and—God. Royce, you’re so lucky to have fallen in love with my sister. She’s so amazing and great.”

“I know I’m lucky. She had my heart on day one. Day two she had my soul. Day three, I knew I couldn’t live without her. I’m happy we have to fast-track this, because now she can’t escape me.” His eyes are boring into mine, and he’s said it so convincingly I momentarily believe him as much as Sage believes him. Royce Devlin is beyond good at all of this lying.

Sage adds, “And Robin, did you know that Royce wants me to—”

“Hey now. No spoilers, Sage.” Royce resettles his arm around my shoulders. A move that still feels too new and possibly wrong with my brother acting like it’s all so very normal; but since I’m having a hard time holding my spine straight, it also feels right. I lean on Royce’s strength and work on keeping my expressions and reactions in check.

“Right. Right.” Sage laughs. “But if she does vomit I reserve the right to hyperventilate some, because,” he puts his hands over his heart. “This is so cool. My brother-in-law will be Royce Devlin. How could you keep this secret from me, Robin?”

I have to smile then. The way Sage is acting so cute is helping to cover my nerves. “It was all such a whirlwind.” I say, truthfully. “I never saw it coming and then…it happened.” I test out how it feels to lie to Sage with a half-fib first. “I was sort of ashamed of my attraction to Royce. Being the nanny and all. And I felt bad about it because I thought the baby was really his baby so I didn’t feel good about that part and then when I found out the baby was Adam’s…well then, how I was feeling for Royce…uh…made sense.”

“I think it’s so romantic.” Mrs. Perino steps up to pull at my veil and fix a few bobby pins while Mrs. Felix adds, “Wait until you see the rest of this dress. I hope you’ll like it.”

“Mrs. Felix had the whole thing sent in on her private jet this afternoon along with the veil.” Vere skips up to me, not to be left out of everyone fixing my hair.

Royce crowds in too, holding out a little blue box. “Sorry I messed up giving it to you in the garden.” He glances at a very attentive Sage then back at me, then slowly opens the box to reveal a white-gold ring with a square-cut diamond that ‘s the size of Canada in the center of it.

“The ring is also a gift from me. It was my mothers.”

“Wow.” I gasp, terrified to touch it. “No way. I can’t wear something that valuable. Are you sure?”

My question was for Mrs. Felix, but Royce, probably because Sage is soaking up every word passing between us, answers in that sexy-gravelly voice, “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. You deserve valuable and it will look beautiful on your hand.” He pulls out the ring and slides it onto my left middle finger.

“Robin. He’s right. It’s perfect. And, I’m going to give you away. If you want me to?” Sage asks. “Do you think Dad would like it if I did that in his place?”

I can’t answer because his question has slammed me with reality of what we’re going to do so hard that it’s taken my breath away. This is not any sort of wedding our dad would participate in, is it? Sage is so right. If he were here, Dad would be going ape-shit right now.

Mrs. Felix quickly speaks up like she senses I’m choking. “It’s very appropriate for a brother to represent a father at a wedding in which a father can’t be present. I know Robin will love that you are stepping in, won’t you, Robin?”

“I will. I really will love that, Sage,” I manage, reaching out to squeeze his hand.

He grips onto mine and squeezes back, pausing to straighten the ring that’s slipped a little to the side already. “Adam and Hunter are going to be Royce’s best men. But, like, you only have Vere, and she’s going to be the only bridesmaid. We thought, Royce thought of it actually, that to balance the photos, and because Angel can’t be there so the press won’t bother him, that you’d like it if I could be sort of, your best man. Can I? Stand beside you?”

I glance at Royce, truly grateful that he’s handled telling Sage everything and then included him in such a sweet way. I’m even more humbled that he’s kindly spared my brother the truth, because it’s really nice that Sage thinks this is all real. Sage would carry too much guilt if he found out I was faking something as huge as a wedding just to save him from foster care.

Running away we could do together, but this, I’ll have to do alone.

Sage snaps his fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Robin, what do you say? Can I be your best man?”

I’m answering Sage, but my response is only for Royce. “You knew. You knew I’d love that, didn’t you?”

Royce nods, but Sage has assumed my answer was to him. “Heck yes, I knew, sis. Because it’s always you and me, side by side, one moment at a time, right?”

“Exactly right.” I pull him close, sparing a quick glance for each and every one of the amazing people who worked so hard on our behalf. I’m wondering if my heart is going to explode as I take in the worry, their concern, and the genuine love that’s being directed at me from all directions.

“Again. Thank you. Everyone, thank you,” I whisper.

Sage tugs at my arm. “They say I can tell people we ran away, and that I’m not to lie to anyone anymore about how Dad is missing. Is it true, Robin?”

“Yes. It’s true.”

Sage smiles. “That will be a relief.”

Gregory steps up and places a hand on Sage’s shoulder. “No more secrets for you two. We want you and Robin to tell your whole story. How you ran away to stick together, how you’re worried about your missing dad, and how your sister fell in love with a rockstar who’s promised to help you both search for him. If anyone asks, you just say what’s in your heart. Tell people what you’ve been through.”

Royce nods, agreeing. “We’re not going to be ashamed of how your sister and I agreed to a fast-track wedding to keep you two together. We’re only going to be proud of ourselves for trying everything we can, right?” Royce adds. “I have no problem letting our fans know that I fell for her fast, and that all of this is real, and how she and I will be dating while married. I think they’ll love it.”

“Yeah. Proud of ourselves,” Sage repeats, nodding. “I like that. And I sure love the idea, that’s for sure. As long as Robin does, too.”

I nod, and my heart twists with a combination of hope and guilt as Sage’s smile grows his expression switches to truly happy, as Royce goes on, “And who knows?” Royce’s grin suddenly matches my brother’s. “The extra exposure might even help locate your father. We will make it clear that the band will help pay any price that’s put out there to get him home, too. Gregory says we can hire a company to help search for him.”

Sage’s eyes have now widened with such gratitude and relief it hurts my chest as I say, “Thank you for just saying those words. I hope you won’t be sorry tomorrow that you’ve agreed to this.”

His hand tightens in mine and he whispers so only I can hear, “Beautiful girl. I can only hope the same for you. I mean every word I’ve said here today.”

I don’t call him about the lies he’s just said about ‘loving me’ because I guess I’m going to need to get used to him saying that kind of stuff so easily. “When we leave here, I’m not going to know what to do, how to act.”

He quirks a brow, taking my hand into his. “And you think I will?” He shakes his head. “If we take it one minute, one day at a time, we got this.”

Choked up that he chose my dad’s exact words, I can only nod.

Gregory’s checking something on his cell phone then says, “Perinos, I apologize for our hasty retreat, but the opening bands are getting on stage now. We have a lot to prepare and very little time.” He takes one of Mrs. Perino’s hands, and places a gentle kiss on the back of it. “It might be a while before I can contact you after tonight. I hope that you’ll—wait?”

She responds with a tiny nod and her very, very red cheeks return. “What’s a little more time now that I know who I’ve been waiting for after all of these years? I’ll be here.”

Gregory beams down at her, and like he can’t help himself he brushes a quick kiss on her lips in front of us all. Their expressions confirm it is possible for people to fall in love in just one week. We all saw it happen with them, and it’s so genuine and so sweet it’s making my heart burst with happiness to watch them look into each other’s eyes. Maybe it won’t be so hard to lie to people about my love story with Royce Devlin, after all. I’ll just muster up the adoring, blushing face Mrs. Perino’s using on Gregory and copy it exactly.

Gregory steps away and claps his hands to get our attention. “Everyone without the last name Perino needs to get in one of the vehicles out front. Attorneys and staff will go into the van that brought us here. Adam, Hunter, Vere, and the baby—oh, and the Love family, will follow me and my mother to the stretch limo that just arrived. We have a concert to get to and a honeymoon to plan—so there’s a whole newer plan to formulate that begins after the concert.”

Royce rolls his eyes, giving me this funny sideways, knowing glance as Gregory continues with his orders. “Everyone. Let’s be clear. As the plans execute, if you don’t know what to do or say, smile and at least look ecstatic.”

“Is this the new-new-newer-new plan or the newest new plan?” Hunter jokes, earning a glare from Gregory and an eye twinkle from Vere.

Vere grins at me extra wide and whispers, “This is a sneaky way to keep a best friend forever, but it’s totally working for me. I am so happy right now I’m about to pop.”

Gregory’s frown turns darker as he pushes her ahead of me. “Go. Go! Everyone move!”

While people jump at the command, Sage pauses and looks around the garden. “What about our stuff? What about packing? And saying goodbye?”

“Yeah.” I frown. “And what do they mean there’s a honeymoon to plan?”

Mrs. Perino quickly runs over to hug him, then me. “There’s no goodbye. Why would there be such a thing between us? You’re heading off to expand the family and you’ll be back. And whatever they’re planning, Robin. Like Gregory said, just go with it.”

Angel hugs us both as well, but not before whispering to me, “You can trust him, Robin. He’s good.” He smiles, but it’s tense and worried as usual. “If you change your mind, you know who to call should you need a ride back home.”

I return his hug. “See you soon, too?”

“Sooner than soon. We’ll Facetime, maybe even tonight?”

I nod, He places a gentle hand on mine, those obsidian eyes of his telling me a longer, deeper goodbye, saying that he will appear anytime and anywhere if needed.

“I’ll pack your things during the concert and have it all sent over to the Belle Paris.” Mrs. Perino urges me toward the limo.

“Do you have to pack everything?” I ask. “I mean—like, if you don’t plan to rent it to anyone else, I’d sure love to have some of our things stay in the cottage. You know? For when we come…”

“Home?” Mrs. Perino nods as one tear sneaks out of the corner of her eyes. “A wonderful point. I shall leave firewood ready to light in the fireplace and the beds made as well. You will be home for Thanksgiving. This I know for sure because Gregory’s promised me at minimum, that you would be here, but I’m certain it won’t be as long as he’s saying.”

“Thanksgiving?” My tears are now threatening to flood out again, so I stop trying to talk and fling myself at her to hug her my thanks into her embrace one more time.

“Let’s go, people,” Gregory urges again. “My mother wants to get to know Sage some before the wedding.”

“When’s the wedding supposed to be?” I whisper, working very hard not to look back at Angel and Mrs. Perino, because I know the sight of them standing there waving will do me in.

“Yeah, how and when will we plan it?” Sage vaults himself into the limo, his voice growing muffled as he shouts, “Wow. This is so cool in here. Holy cow, a flat screen folds out from the ceiling!”

“Don’t wake my little Apple. I want her rested when she sees her mommy.” Adam’s scolding voice pushes away the tears and makes me smile a little.

Royce, like he knows I need some support, does my buckle before doing his. This time when he places his arm over my shoulder, I don’t even feel funny about it. It simply feels like it belongs there. “I thought you understood, Robin. It’s all set up. The wedding is happening after the show. It’s going to be our encore.” He glances at his phone for the time. “In less than three hours.”

“What? Now? Today?” I ask. “How?”

“In order to create a storm bigger than the monsoon that’s about to hit, we have to create a typhoon of our own. Adam’s going to introduce everyone to his wife and his baby, which will start the waves of Instagram rolling. Then I’m going to give an amazing speech about love at first sight and say something about how we met, and how I knew you were the one.” He wiggles his brows. “Then, we come clean about how your dad is missing, tell everyone how you’re a runaway, and how your brother was going to be taken away—how all of that made me want to marry you more.” He tugs the edges of my veil free of the seatbelt. “You are going to walk out in the dress that matches this scratchy thing, be handed off to me by Sage. If we do this right, by then, everyone in the audience will have lost their minds from the story we just told them. We’ll say the ‘I-do’ parts while your pretty face is on the jumbo-screens and poof…” He flashes his hands wide like he’s a magician. “It will all be posted online, if not already live-streamed by at least ten thousand people, and you and I will be international news by morning.”

When I say nothing, and the limousine grows silent as everyone soaks in all that Royce just said, he leans over me and stares directly at my face.

“Hey? You okay? Maybe I was a little too superficial about how I said all of that. I forget you’re not used to…me. How we do things, but I can assure you it’s going to be epic. Knowing our stylists and sage managers, it will also be a beautiful, memorable wedding, okay?”

His low voice sends shivers down my spine and those silver eyes paint my face with this new, kind and protective expression that’s him, worrying just for me.

It’s something maybe I don’t deserve to have, but it’s something that I’m already getting used to. Something I’m starting to crave. The mask he’s worn to hide himself from me since day one seems completely erased, and I don’t think it’s coming back. At least, not between us. “What are you thinking? Are we good?” he asks.

Inside my head I’m screaming: I’m thinking I don’t know you. I’m thinking I might love you. I’m thinking this will never work. I think my father might kill you when he comes home and I’m thinking about your lips and how I want to kiss you again, because that’s what you do right after you say, ‘I do,’ …

“Robin?” He leans closer, eyes scanning my face with a flas of white-hot doubt when I still haven’t answered him.

“I-I think it’s a great idea,” I blurt out. “We’re good, And…” I pause to swallow what feels like a truckload of cardboard and sand that’s clogging the back of my throat. It’s because I can’t tear my eyes off of Royce’s earnest, kind face, nor can I fathom that I’m just going to simply walk out on stage and let this guy put a ring on my finger in front of the whole planet!

Is he joking, asking me if we’re good?

Hell no, we’re not good.

“And what?” Royce presses me to finish what I’d started to say.

I’m very aware that everyone, especially my brother, is staring, worse, listening for any wavers in my voice. I force myself to smile as happily at Sage as I can. Then I look to Royce again. Up at him. Way up. To a safe looking spot. The place where his thick hair meets his brow. Not into those eyes and not at those distracting lips. “And…”I gulp. “I think…that…yeah…we’re going to be okay. We really are.”

“Of course we are.”

I’m envious of Royce’s steady voice. He sounded much more confident than I just did.

Like he knows I want to run, he squeezes me in closer to his side, trailing the back of his hand down my cheek in this calming way, adding, “We got this. Love conquers all, and we’re in love, right, Robin?”

He smiles and winks at me in this way that makes my heart flip upside down, then he takes my hand in his while he smiles at my brother who’s still watching us carefully. Too carefully.

I catch Sage’s gaze, and nod, smiling over at him, too. I hope my expression reads that I’m happy and that this is real, and that all is well.

Finally buying it, Sage smiles back at us with a grin that’s like a sunbeam.

The wonder in my brother’s eyes, the happiness on his flushed, excited face, reminds me that Sage is safe. Safe to stay with me, and safer than he has been since I convinced him to run away with me, all thanks to these generous people and their high priced lawyers.

“Yes. We’re in love,” I echo, leaning my head against Royce’s shoulder. I have to close my eyes as a wave of pure relief takes over. Also, because I can’t bear to look at Sage while I practice saying the big, whopping lie that I’ll soon have to say convincingly to everyone.

Everyone in the whole world.

“We are…completely in love.”