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“Your secret is safe with me, but for the life of me, I cannot fathom why Sherrian has not figured it out.”
Tearing his gaze from the woman approaching them, he pinned Michael with a look.
“And what is that?”
“You’re in love with her.” He murmured low enough, so that just the two of them could hear. “That’s why you agreed to do this.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Michael harrumphed. “I happen to be in your corner.”
Before Leo could respond, Sherrian was in front of them. Flashing her a charming smile, he took her hand and turned both of them to face Michael.
The entire thing felt eerily like the real thing, and she found herself reflecting back on the plans she had made with Greg and how excited she had been. He had wanted something lavish, and she had reluctantly agreed.
This was more her style, and she felt fleetingly that she was being cheated out of a wedding day again, because this was not real. Mentally shrugging the depressing thought away, she repeated the vows and within minutes, the ceremony was concluded.
She made the rounds and acknowledged the congratulations from the various guests, some of whom she was only just meeting for the first time.
Leo told her he had to invite several members of his management team who were also friends and as she had suspected, she had been asked to sign a prenup, an incredibly detailed one drawn up by the lawyers.
She did not want anything from him. He had bought her an exquisite square cut diamond, which she planned on wearing on a necklace around her neck whenever she was at the pastry shop. She had also bought him a ring, a simple gold band with several diamonds etched into the design. And had balked at the price.
But it was too late now. They had to make it look as real as possible to satisfy her aunt.
The more it continued, the deeper she felt like she was being dragged in. Leo did not seem to mind, and she wondered why that was.
Something she was not willing to think about just now. They cut the cake, a delicious combination of caramel and chocolate delight that had been made by Ingrid as a gift to her and danced their first dance together as a couple.
“You’re not hungry?” Leo was playing the attentive groom to the hilt.
“Not really. My stomach is tied up in knots,” she admitted, “and these shoes are killing me.”
His glance swept down to the stilettoes that were a match to the dress.
“Why don’t you take them off?” He suggested.
“Good idea, but I only have the tennis shoes I wore to my aunt’s house last night.”
“Which I believe are comfortable. Sit and I will go and get them.”
“Leo, you don’t have to,” she protested. He was behaving like a husband, and she did not know what to do about that.
“I know I don’t have to.” He glanced at his watch and noted the time. “The plane leaves in the next hour.”
“Oh.” She sat then and felt her heart plummeting. “I thought we were leaving tomorrow.”
He sat next to her, eyes searching her face. All around them, the guests were eddying and enjoying the meal that had been provided.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” She bit her lip. “It seems too real.”
“I thought that was the plan.”
“Your mother is going to hate me.”
“Why?”