After our discussion over breakfast, Carson and I both agreed we had tasks to accomplish if we intend to pull this ruse off successfully. He’s stepped into his home office to call Kendra. They deserve the privacy of a quiet end to their ill-fated engagement. I clean the dishes, even though he told me he’d help me as soon as he made his fiancée his ex. It gives me something to do…other than call my younger sisters.

I hate lying to them, and I’ll take a lot of crap for it later. But right now, I can’t tell them I’m getting fake married. Eryn might be a mere two years younger than me, but she’s about a billion years more cynical. I don’t know if it’s middle-child syndrome, her given personality, or the breakup she never recovered from. Either way, if I clue her in on what’s happening, she’ll tell me I’m crazy, that Carson is using me, and that the whole thing will only end badly. The baby of the family, Echo, is fun and bubbly and always has a smile. She’s the sunshine to Eryn’s rain cloud. I love her to pieces, but she can’t keep a secret worth a damn.

I wouldn’t go to the pretense of dragging them across the country for a wedding that will never happen, except that Gregory Shaw knows my background. He knows I have sisters. He probably even knows we’re close. I’ll never convince the man I’m serious about getting married without them.

“Here goes nothing,” I mutter to myself, plopping down on a barstool in the kitchen and dialing Eryn’s number. She’s far more likely to pick up since Echo misplaces her phone all the time.

“Hey!” she answers. “How’s the hush-hush job you couldn’t discuss? Got a southern accent yet?”

“Seriously? After four days, you think I’ve picked up a twang?”

“Maybe you should try harder to acquire one. It would be cute at your auditions. Besides, it would give me something to poke at you about. Because you’re otherwise practically perfect.”

“Hardly true. The job is…” Good? Fine? “Complicated.”

Eryn pauses, her tone shifting to serious. “That doesn’t sound good. Tell me what’s up. You okay?”

I grope for something to say. I should have planned this speech a bit better, somehow eased her into it. Hindsight is awesome, but I’ve already stepped in it too deep to climb out now. “Is Echo there?”

“Right beside me, downing a bowl of Raisin Bran.”

“I need to talk to you both. Put me on speaker so she can hear, too, okay?”

“Now you’re really scaring me.”

“It’s actually a good thing.” I try to sound convincing.

“Uh-huh,” Eryn drawls. “Hold on.” A moment passes, and the background has a slight hiss that wasn’t there before. “Okay. We’re both here.”

“Hi!” Echo’s higher, happier voice chimes in, sounding half-full of food. “Can I call you Elly May now?”

“As in Clampett?” I have to smile. “Um…no.”

Echo’s laugh is something approaching a snort. “You’ve got to admit, that was funny.”

“I don’t have to admit that any more than you have to admit the remark was juvenile,” I tease.

“Spoilsport.” I can picture her sticking her tongue out at me.

“Whiny brat,” I jab back because that’s what older sisters do.

“Whatever…” She scoffs at me. “So how are the wilds of North Carolina?”

“Nice, but hardly wild. Charlotte has, like, almost a million people, so it’s not a rural middle-of-nowhere. It looks like a city, but it has a different sort of charm than home.”

“Any Gone with the Wind mansions or cowboy hats?” She sounds as if she’s eagerly waiting for me to say yes.

I roll my eyes. “Not that I’ve seen. But maybe you can look for yourself.”

“What do you mean?” Eryn cuts in. “Do you need us to come there and help you?”

“I was hoping you’d hold my hand,” I say in my calmest big-sister voice. “I’m getting married in two weeks.”

“What? Are you fucking kidding me?” Eryn spits out.

“That’s so romantic! It must have been love at first sight.” Echo sighs.

“Actually, we met six months ago.” I don’t say more. What are the odds that my cautious response will prevent Eryn from asking more questions?

“If you were seeing someone seriously, why is this the first we’re hearing of this?” Eryn asks suspiciously. “How did we not know about him?”

“When we met, I was on a date with a friend of his. He moved out here soon after that. But he called me recently to tell me he’d never forgotten me…and here we are.” That’s as booby-trap free as I can make that explanation, but I rattle on, mostly to shut Eryn up. “His name is Carson Frost. He inherited a candy company called Sweet Darlin’.”

“Oh, my god! They make the Eversweet Chewy Pop.” Echo sounds excited. “It’s literally my favorite.”

“There’s so much sugar in those,” Eryn points out, sounding just shy of scolding. “Focus, Echo. What’s the hurry to get married, El? If you’ve only been with him for a few days, it’s even too soon for you to know if you’re pregnant.”

“That’s not why we’re getting married. It’s a long story, and I’ll tell you all when you get here. Carson and I are sending you tickets to fly here for the wedding, so—”

“Wait,” Eryn cuts in.

“Yeah, hold up. He lives in North Carolina?” Echo jumps in. “You’re going to be moving there?”

“I’ll explain when I see you. Just make sure you both clear the time off with work. Echo, you might miss a day or two of school.”

“For you, that’s nothing,” she assures me. “I just want you to be happy. Are you sure this is what you want?”

No. But Gregory Shaw is a shark who came baring his teeth today, and I can’t leave Carson out in the water, bleeding like chum, without a life raft. I love him too much.

I don’t know what will become of us. If we want to be together, one of us is going to have to sacrifice something deeply meaningful. If we part ways, my sisters will be taking me home with them, most likely brokenhearted.

Maybe I should have stepped back and not gotten so involved with Carson. But holding in my feelings isn’t in my nature. I’m so drawn to him that I looked at the man, saw his smile…and fell.

“Yes. You’ll be my bridesmaids, right?” I close my eyes and feel tears seep down my cheeks. I imagined asking them that question to the tune of squeals and hugs and huge smiles on all our faces while showing off the sparkling diamond on my hand. But the lies feel so terrible, and I don’t think I’m capable of sounding ecstatic right now. I’ll settle for solemn and pray they interpret my quiet as me feeling the gravity of the situation. But if they could see my face, the jig would be up. Despite my being an actress, Eryn and Echo know me too well for me to hide much from them.

And I’m terrified that I don’t have long to figure out how I’m going to act my way out of this snarl. If I can’t, the ploy will be over before the wedding has even started.

“Yeah. Sure,” Echo vows to me.

Eryn takes longer to respond. “You know I’d do anything for you, but I need to meet this guy before he takes my sister from me.”

She doesn’t sound thrilled. I understand. If Carson and I find a way to be together after this wedding fiasco, I might have to give up the only home I’ve ever known. It’s pretty here. Charming…but different. Where will I work? What about my aspirations? And what will I do without my sisters?

“That’s the plan,” I say.

“Are you telling Mom and Dad?” Eryn asks.

“I will, but I don’t think they’ll come.”

“Sorry, sis,” Echo says softly. She doesn’t even try to tell me I’m wrong because I’m not.

Suddenly, Carson opens the door to the office and drags in a big breath. I can’t read his face except that he looks a little shocked.

“Can you two each bring a black dress when you come? We don’t have time for bridesmaids’ gowns now and—” Carson glances my way like he’s a man with something to say. “Hey, let me call you later. I need to talk to my fiancé.” It feels so weird saying that…but I better get used to it—at least temporarily. “He just walked in the door.”

“Where was he?” Eryn quizzes.

I could have lied that he was running errands or something, but I’m already in that pit too deeply. “I’ll get the plane tickets situated and let you guys know the details, okay? I love you both. Bye for now!”

“Bye. Love you,” Echo says.

“Damn it, Ella. I don’t understand—”

I hang up on Eryn and let out a shaky breath.

“Your sisters?” he asks. “How did they take the news?”

“About how I expected. Echo is seeing visions of me in a Scarlett O’Hara-type wedding dress, walking down the grand, sweeping staircase of Tara toward a southern version of Prince Charming. Eryn wants to know if I’ve lost my mind.” I sigh. “It’ll be fine…eventually.”

“I’m sorry this is rough on you.” He grabs my hand and squeezes it. “And your family.”

“Thanks. How did it go with Kendra?”

“She’s really happy for us. She’s going to drop her ring off at my office sometime this week. Then that will be that.” He rubs at the back of his neck and gives a self-deprecating laugh. “Actually, she couldn’t wait to get off the phone with me so she could tell Brayden that she was a free woman.”

“Does she worry that if she doesn’t marry you her father will withhold her trust fund?”

He shrugs. “She says she’s been giving that a lot of thought over the past couple of days. She’s decided she doesn’t care.”

Kendra stating that she’d rather be happy than rich is not the reaction I expected. I thought she’d gladly give up her new ROTC boyfriend for all that money. Wealth is all she’s ever known. Or is she simply hoping that she can wheedle and manipulate her father into backing down? I don’t know if she’s even more unrealistic than I’ve imagined or whether she’s matured enough to stand on her own two feet because she finally found something that mattered.

“Interesting,” I finally murmur. “I guess that’s good for us. And for her.”

“I hope so. I also called the head of the charity, Roger Clarke, and told him about you. He’s more than happy to have you join the organization.” Carson rattles off a salary that’s not cushy, but more than I expected from a nonprofit. And certainly more than I was making back home. “Roger said that he and the rest of the staff are taking Monday off to recover from Friday’s benefit, but he’ll look forward to seeing you on Tuesday morning at nine. I’ll forward you his contact information, along with the office address.”

“Perfect. Thanks.” I’m actually excited to start this position, but at the same time I’m sad I won’t be able to hang around long enough to really make a difference in the lives of the kids I’m supposed to be impacting.

As if he can read my thoughts, Carson assures me, “They’ll be happy for whatever time you can give them. I promise, it will be fine.”

I hope Carson is right, but he knows Roger Clarke better than I do, so I’ll do my best to believe him. “All right.”

“After that, I called Gregory Shaw and told him you and I will be getting married. He sent me the contact info for the wedding planner he hired. I met her once. Her name is Vasha. I’ll text her number to you, as well.”

“I’ll call her and find out the details. I guess we at least need to know when to show up.” Despite the weight of our dilemma, I have to laugh.

“The wedding is scheduled for August twenty-sixth at seven p.m. at the Aria. I know that much. But I don’t have any of the other details.”

When I start thinking about everything else wedding related, a light bulb goes off in my head. “I need a dress! I can’t wear Kendra’s.” And I wouldn’t want to. “We’re not the same size.”

Carson grimaces. “Can you find something in the next couple of days?”

Like that’s a simple task? I’ve never looked for one personally, but I’ve watched Say Yes to the Dress for years. Choosing never looks easy. I don’t really want to go dress shopping without my sisters. I’ll feel alone and lost, trying to wade through a sea of tulle and satin by myself. Then again, it’s not the dress I’m going to wear for the real ceremony at my forever wedding. I just need something that fits.

I scuttle the disappointment I have no business feeling. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Do you want me to…come with you?” He must be making this offer strictly to please me, because he looks like he would rather pull out his own molars with a pair of pliers.

“I’ll only get you involved if I’m striking out. How’s that?”

He looks relieved. “Good. Call me when you find something. I’ll come over and take care of the rest.”

I nod. “My sisters will bring their own dresses. I hope two bridesmaids are enough for the ceremony they had planned.”

“We’ll make it work. I, um…haven’t even asked anyone to stand up with me yet. But I should do that.”

“Yeah.” It already seems late. “Beyond that, I guess Kendra and the wedding planner should have everything under control. Right?”

“Everything…except this.” Carson reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little black velvet box.

My heart stops. Rings. Right. I completely forgot about those.

When he opens the box, I see a simple but beautiful emerald-cut diamond set in white gold. The inside lid proclaims the gem is from Tiffany.

I gasp. “It’s beautiful.”

“It was my mother’s. This is the ring Craig gave her when they got engaged.”

With just two sentences, our fake marriage suddenly feels very real.

“Oh, no.” Frowning, I take a step back. “I shouldn’t be wearing that.”

“Why not? You said you like it.”

“I love it. It’s elegant and timeless and…” I take a deep breath. “But what I think doesn’t matter. Your mother’s ring means something. It should only be worn by the woman you truly intend to marry.”

His face tightens as he watches me with softening blue eyes. “How do you know that won’t be you someday?”

My response is instant. I go warm and gushy inside. It’s so girly and stupidly, hopefully romantic, given the situation. I need to temper myself.

“But right now, do you really want to dishonor something so special with a lie?”

“Well, look at this as being practical. The ring is handy. Mom would understand. After all, she loved Edward enough to free him to be with Sweet Darlin’ because he needed it more than he wanted her.”

With two workaholic parents, I completely understand what he’s saying. “Why didn’t Kendra wear this?”

Carson hesitates. “It…didn’t seem like her, and she wanted something in rose gold. But you wearing my mom’s ring will make our engagement seem more real.” He pauses and caresses my cheek. “Most important, I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather see with it on her finger. Will you wear it?”

Something fluttery stirs in my stomach. Nerves. Excitement. I’m too afraid to call it anything else.

I look up at Carson, lost in his gaze. Some foolish part of me wishes he was proposing for real. Not that I’m ready to take that step with him…I don’t think. God, I’m confused. Everything is happening so quickly. My brain is telling me to slow down, think smart, do whatever I can to mitigate the damage to my heart later. My emotions are running wild, and every bit of me simply wants to say yes and fling myself against him, join with him. Stay with him.

Suddenly, I’m fighting the sting of tears, the trembling of my chin. “Are you sure?”

“Hey, don’t cry, sweetheart.” He leans in, kisses my forehead, my nose, my lips. He lingers there, not deepening the contact, just taking comfort from our closeness, as I am. “Please.”

Without meaning to, he pries open my heart in a way I can’t seem to stop. I can’t say no. “I’ll wear it.”

And I already know the day I have to take it off and give it back will hurt so badly.

Carson smiles my way as he plucks the diamond nestled in the box. “Give me your hand.”

This would be so much easier—and less real—if he didn’t put it on my finger as if I were really his bride.

“That’s okay. I’ll do it.” I hold out my hand to him, palm up.

He scowls as he spends a long moment glancing between the ring in his grip and the expression on my face. Finally, he sighs and gently sets it in the middle of my palm. The metal is cool against my skin. The diamond shines like white fire, brilliant and beyond lovely. As a symbol of eternal love, it’s absolutely breathtaking.

“It’s just under two carats, and my mother always said it was a joy to wear. It matched everything and connected her to the man she loved in a way that made her feel safe.”

As I ease it onto my finger, I suddenly understand. It fits perfectly. In the right circumstance, its weight would be a subtle reminder of my groom’s care and commitment. But this isn’t real, and I need to keep reminding myself of that. “I’ll take good care of it. I promise.”

Carson takes my hand, looking a little choked up at the sight of his mother’s ring there. “I know you will. It looks perfect on you, by the way. I have the matching wedding band in my safe, along with my stepfather’s ring.”

Breaking his gaze, I nod. I can’t look at him anymore without wishing circumstances were different, despite how illogical that may be. If I don’t change the subject or lighten the mood, I’m going to be sucked down into this whirl of hope, desolation, and yearning that hurts too much.

“I’ll…um, call this wedding planner and leave her a message. Hopefully, she’ll get in touch with me on Monday.”

He nods slowly, as if he’s reluctant to accept the change in subject. “How about on Friday we head down to the venue so we can see it together. We should also go apply for a marriage license since it’s only a few blocks away.”

I gulp. I suppose we have to go through the motions to make it look real, but… “Do we have to do it in person?”

“I assume so. I don’t know for sure. Both Kendra and I were dragging our feet, so we never got around to it.”

That doesn’t surprise me. “I’ll talk to the wedding planner, but you’re probably right. I…um, guess Friday would be good. If Roger is all right with it.”

He nods as if the matter is settled. But nothing else is. “You going to be all right, Ella? Is this too much for you?”

It can’t be. He needs me. “I’m fine. It’s just more emotional than I thought.”

“It is.” He hesitates. “But I’m here if you need anything.”

“Space,” I say finally. “I need some time to process all that’s happened. Alone.”

Carson gnashes his teeth and looks hesitant to leave me, but he nods. “I’ll head into the office for a few hours so you can have the place to yourself. I’ll pick you up about six for dinner.”

“I’ll be ready,” I promise as he retreats into the bedroom to get showered and dressed.

I sit on the sofa, feeling shocked and overwhelmed and staring at the winking engagement ring on my hand, wondering how I’m going to make it through this without falling apart.

Friday rolls around. The six days between the moment Ella and I got “engaged” and this afternoon have flown by. She’s been settling into her new job and coming back to my place every night with a glow in her eyes and a smile on her face, talking about the great holiday programs for kids the organization has in store. They’re even planning a rendition of A Christmas Carol, as well as story time with Santa every Saturday in December.

The past few evenings, we’ve been eating her healthy dinners and drinking wine while I listen to her excitement…only to see the light die from her eyes the moment she remembers she won’t be around to witness any of her plans come to fruition.

The nights are, in some ways, worse. Oh, they’re full of pleasure—desperate, ravenous, blistering ecstasy that’s undoing me and bending my soul. I fall asleep in the wee hours of the morning panting, drenched, and completely wrung out…only to roll over again every morning and take Ella hungrily before I drop her off at work and head to the office myself. It’s as if we both feel the countdown of the ticking clock and don’t know how to stop it.

I glance at my computer screen. Why is it barely after one? Because I’m eager to be out of here, to see the venue where Ella and I will marry—or pretend to—while I try to think of some way to convince her that maybe we should consider exchanging vows for real. It’s soon, I know. I don’t want to rush her. She deserves to feel certain, and we’d have to talk long and hard about how we would be married when we live on opposite coasts. But I’m not ready to let this woman slip through my fingers. If I do, I’ll be losing the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

And deep down, I fear I’ll be making an irrevocable mistake.

Suddenly, I hear a knock on my office door.

“Come in,” I call. I may as well stop pretending I’m studying this spreadsheet, trying to draw any relevant financial conclusions.

The handle turns with a little click, and Cora peeks her head in, her silvery hair making her green eyes all the more vivid. “You have a guest. Kendra Shaw is here with a…friend. Are you available?”

She must be here to return the engagement ring I bought her. No idea what I’ll do with it. eBay, maybe? I also have a suspicion I know who her “friend” is. This should be interesting…

“Show them in.”

I try to close down the worksheet with sensitive financials, but the computer freezes and I can’t seem to get the file saved before I hear Kendra’s high-pitched, southern-flavored voice. “Hi, Carson.”

I turn and swallow a curse, using my body to block my screen. I already know that Kendra has no interest in anything that involves Sweet Darlin’—or her father’s company, Dulce Lama. She’s not interested in business at all. But I know nothing about the hulk beside her wearing a uniform that bears a striking resemblance to dress blues. His hair has been shaved so short I can barely discern it’s some sort of brown. He has dark eyes that observe everything and wears an expression that’s no-nonsense.

“Hi, Kendra. You must be Brayden.” I extend my hand in his direction.

He shakes it with a firm grip that’s a tad too close to crushing for comfort. It’s a subtle warning to stay away from his girl. I hold back a laugh. He has absolutely nothing to worry about from me.

“I am.” His voice is as clipped and unwelcoming as his expression.

Kendra elbows him gently. “Brayden, Carson and I are…”

“Formerly engaged,” he finishes Kendra’s awkward incomplete sentence.

“That’s true, but maybe a better description is that he’s become a friend.”

Now that we’re not being forced to marry? “I like that. Yes.”

Brayden scowls but accepts her proclamation in silence.

“Thanks for having the courage to end this,” she says. “I should have months ago, instead of pretending to be so vapid. I kept living up to my father’s unenlightened characterization of me, hoping you’d want out. I’m sorry. I should have simply refused.” She curls her hand around Brayden’s arm and glances up at him with a starry expression I’ve never seen her wear. “I guess it took finding the right person to make me realize I had to stop trying to please my father, start pleasing myself, and do the right thing.”

Hold up. Her insipid antics were an act? “You’re not a boy-crazy, dancing-topless-at-a-frat-house type?”

Kendra grimaces. “No. I made that up. I was getting desperate.”

“I’ll be damned. I did not see that coming.”

She laughs. “It seems I had everyone fooled, except Brayden.”

When she squeezes her fiancé’s arm, I notice she’s wearing a new engagement ring. The stone is a mere pinprick compared to the rock I’d previously given her, but this gem makes her far happier, I can tell.

I smile. “I’ll say. So…what about all the losers your dad said you dated in the past? Were those strictly to annoy him?”

“I had to get my teenage rebellion in somehow,” she quips. “By the way, Ella is beautiful. It was lovely to meet her at the benefit. Y’all look good together. I hope you two will be happy.”

“Thanks. I hope you’ll be happy, too. Speaking of…” I glance pointedly at her not-so-naked finger. “Do you have good news to share?”

Kendra flashes her new engagement ring, looking so proud and excited. “Yes. We’re getting married!”

And I hear the squeal of an excited bride that I never heard from her when her father forced us together.

“That’s fantastic. Have you set a date yet?”

The pair exchanges a glance, and Kendra pets his arm as if to silently ask for his trust. That piques my curiosity.

“We’re on our way to the airport now,” Brayden finally admits. “We’re eloping to Vegas.”

This is a conversation full of surprises. I’m stunned on multiple levels. “Congratulations.” I think. “Didn’t you meet less than two weeks ago?”

“I know it’s fast,” she rushes to assure me. “But…I looked at him and I knew. I’m sure you’ll tell me that’s crazy. Or you’ll think I really am that flighty sorority girl my father foisted off on you. But it’s not like that. I’m finally serious about life because I have a reason to be.”

She turns her blue eyes up to Brayden, whose stoic expression finally breaks to reveal utter adoration. I don’t know what shocks me more: that she might actually be in love or that this straightforward man with a military mentality is equally willing to reveal his love after less than two weeks.

“That’s fantastic, Kendra. Congratulations.”

“Thanks. Here.” She digs into her purse and fishes around before she withdraws a red velvet box. She opens it to reveal the familiar cushion-cut solitaire with pavé diamonds set in rose gold.

I snap it shut and take the box back, then deposit it in a desk drawer—still blocking Brayden from viewing my screen. “I appreciate you returning it.”

Kendra shrugs. “If I didn’t want it because I didn’t want to marry you, it didn’t seem right for me to keep it.”

Fair enough. “So…I take it your father doesn’t know your weekend plans?”

She shakes her head. “I told him we were going camping in the Smokies and we might not have any cell service.”

I nearly choke. “You, camping? No offense, but you’re a princess who likes her creature comforts. Did he believe your cover story?”

“I don’t know. I left him a voicemail and promptly turned off my phone. I’ll call him on Sunday, after we’re married. Then…I’ll let the chips fall.”

“He’s already threatened to block you from your trust. What if he cuts you out of Dulce Lama altogether?”

She shrugs and looks at Brayden again, as if reaffirming the answer they’ve already discussed. “We’ll survive. We may not have a lot of money. As soon as we graduate from college, my husband—oh, I love the sound of that—will be going to officer candidate school in Rhode Island. Then we’ll be living wherever the military takes him. And that’s perfect by me.”

I frown and glance Brayden’s way. “You don’t have any interest in Dulce Lama, either?”

“I’ve known from the time I was four that I wanted to join the navy. My father was an enlisted man, and I sometimes tease him that I intend to outrank him someday. But corporate America isn’t for me. I know nothing about making candy or running a multimillion-dollar organization.” Brayden scowls, and for the first time, I see something on his face that tells me he’s thought this through. “Money doesn’t motivate me the way duty, honor, and country do. I already know Mr. Shaw will have a difficult time believing that, so Kendra and I drafted a legal document. We both signed it and had it witnessed. I can’t ever touch a dime of her trust and I can’t ever become involved in any part of her father’s company should he leave it to her. Mr. Shaw may never accept me as a son-in-law and he may even think I’m marrying Kendra for a paycheck. After all, I came from nowhere anyone could find on a map, and the only thing my family has an abundance of is love. That’s fine. He’ll learn sooner or later that I’m marrying her because my world revolves around her. I intend to spend the rest of my life with her.”

Weirdly, I actually believe them. Even weirder, I hope they make it.

I walk away from my frozen computer—it doesn’t seem as if it matters if they see anything on my screen—and approach them. I shake Brayden’s hand and drop a kiss on Kendra’s cheek. “Good luck to both of you. Enjoy your wedding.”

“What about you and Ella?” she asks. “Dad said that you two are going to use the ceremony I’d previously planned for us.”

“More or less. You did a great job. We don’t have time to change much since we’re also in the midst of buying a house, but Ella and I talked to the wedding planner and made a few changes to the flowers and tablecloths to accommodate a more muted color scheme.”

“Muted? You’re so diplomatic. You mean Ella didn’t want Barbie-pink?” Kendra laughs.

As she does, the truth dawns on me. “You did that on purpose?”

“I did. Every time I mentioned it, I noticed you either winced or tuned me out.” She elbows me with a grin. “I’d really hoped the accent fabric with hearts and bows everywhere would be the perfect touch.”

“Um…” I pull at the back of my neck with a wry grin. “I think when the planner sent the samples to Ella, her comment was something along the lines of ‘everything’s vomiting a six-year-old girl’s fantasy.’”

“When I chose the material, Vasha tried so hard to talk me out of it,” Kendra says of the wedding planner. “Glad to know she and Ella both are getting their way.”

“Yes. We’re going with a classic black-and-white theme.”

“That sounds a lot more elegant and far more like you. But the venue is beautiful.”

“We’re seeing it in a couple of hours.” And I hope when we do, my “fiancée” will be inspired to get married for real.

“Fantastic. Did Ella find a dress?”

“Actually, her middle sister almost got married a couple of years ago and still has the gown she bought. Eryn is going to bring it for Ella since we’re on such a short timeframe.”

Kendra nods. “If it will fit, that’s handy.”

“What about you? Wearing the one you already picked out?”

“No. I found a simple lacy white sundress on clearance at Neiman’s that’s exactly what I want and—”

“Baby girl, I hate to interrupt but we’re going to miss our plane if we don’t leave now,” Brayden points out quietly.

She glances at her delicate wristwatch. “You’re right. Oh my god, we’ve got to run. Next time you see me, I’ll be Mrs. Brayden Ashmore. Bye, Carson.” She hugs me one last time, and I hope the happiness she feels now will carry through the rest of her life. “I’ll see you next weekend.”

I hesitate. “You’re coming to my wedding?”

Kendra flashes me a grin. “Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”