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Mom stepped forward with a tight smile. “I think Emma should stand for the photos. We want wedding photos without the wheelchair.”
We?Wehad never discussed that.
Ines glanced from my mother to me and Samuel. I flushed, feeling on the spot.
Samuel moved to my side. “Is that what you want?”
My heart swelled. I ignored Mom’s pinched expression. This was my day. “I would like a mix of both. Me in my wheelchair and me standing beside you.”
“How about we take a few photos in your wheelchair in the gazebo, and then we’ll try a few standing photos on the stairs?” the photographer suggested.
I could tell my mother was offended that we didn’t follow her lead.
We moved into the gazebo, then Samuel and I gazed toward the photographer, hoping for directions.
“How about you kneel in front of Emma and take her hands?” Ines suggested.
Samuel got down on his knees. Luckily, the inside of the gazebo was dry so he wouldn’t ruin his suit. He took my hands. His felt warm while mine were cold and a little stiff.
“Give us some emotions,” the photographer encouraged. “Look deeply into each other’s eyes as if you’re sharing a secret.”
I met Samuel’s gaze, feeling awkward. How were we supposed to convey emotions that weren’t there? I was attracted to Samuel and maybe even had a little crush on him, but I didn’t love him. And he definitely didn’t have any feelings for me. This was an arranged marriage, not blissful love. Samuel’s features softened in a smile, but it was still a very restrained expression, and my own face felt very tense.
“More emotions,” the photographer said as she took several photos.
Samuel glared. “Do your job. This isn’t helping.”
She snapped her lips shut and continued taking photos.
Samuel looked down at my hands, which were still in his. “Your hands are icy. We should hurry to get you inside.” He looked up with concern in his eyes.
“It’s not very cold. It’s summer.” It was a cool day for May, but my cold hands were from nerves, not because I was freezing.
“That’s it!” the photographer said, and theclick-clickof more photos being taken sounded. “That’s a wrap on this set.”
Samuel raised an eyebrow and pushed to his feet, releasing my hands in the process. My eyes registered Danilo. He stood a few steps to the side, watching us. Sofia wasn’t with him. They had married recently, but it was pretty obvious they’d had a rough start. Seeing them together today, I got the impression that things between them were improving. Danilo didn’t share these things with me, and I wasn’t close enough to Sofia yet to ask her about it. Not to mention that I’d feel awkward doing so as Danilo’s sister.
Danilo gave me a tight smile before his hard gaze settled on Samuel, who returned it with an unimpressed expression.
“The stairs next!” the photographer said, moving ahead.
Samuel pushed me toward the base of the stairs. I arrested the brakes and pushed myself into a standing position. I realized I was still in my heels and couldn’t keep my balance on them. Danilo stepped forward as if to catch me, but Samuel grabbed my arm before he could and steadied me with a hand on my waist.
“I need to get out of my heels,” I explained, embarrassed.
I sank down and quickly slipped off my heels before I stood again. Samuel helped me reach one of the upper stairs and positioned himself beside me. Ines fanned out my wedding dress so it cascaded down the steps. I was a bit nervous standing onthe stairs as it allowed less room for stumbling. Samuel gripped my hands. “I’ll catch you if you fall.”
I couldn’t help but smile at his declaration. “That’s very romantic of you,” I teased.
Samuel chuckled. “I’m going to be honest. Being romantic isn’t my forte. At all.”
“You’re the ice prince.”
He scoffed. “That name has followed me for years.”
“It fits,” I said, my eyes tracing his blond hair, cold blue eyes, and cool expression. If I had to pick someone to play a Nordic god, I would choose him. “You look and act like one. I thought you liked it. From what I hear, girls do.” I hadn’t wanted to bring up other girls but couldn’t help the little jab. I knew the stories about his conquests.
“They like the illusion. They like thinking they could melt my cold heart. Because it would make them special.” He rolled his eyes.