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Nancy arched an eyebrow. ‘And slipping away unnoticed during dinner isn’t?’

Ari exhaled. ‘At least then, we’re just two guests going for a wander. During the wedding, people might notice if we disappear. Two seats, empty. Screams out.’

‘Only if Paris actually thinks you’re here to rob her.’ Nancy paused. ‘Does she?’

‘Hard to say,’ Ari said. ‘I don’t know if she would ever actually think I’d try to take it back from her.’

‘Then you’re right. Too risky. Dinner it is. After the speeches.’

Ari nodded, and some avocado slipped off her face and onto her robe. ‘Now, about getting past a locked door…’

‘Yes. That’s something else we need to figure out,’ Nancy said.

Ari realised with a start that she was kind of having fun. Nancy was a great partner in crime.

Twenty-Nine

Nancy was looking at herself in the long mirror back in the room. Ari was in the bathroom. They were taking a break from planning the heist to get ready for the wedding.

Nancy stared at her ankle-length deep crimson dress, a daring slit up one leg. She had to admit, she’d gone a bit mad with this choice. It was more than she could pull off. She adjusted the strap, wondering if it was too late to find something else.

The bathroom door creaked open, and Ari’s voice drifted out. ‘How do I loo…’ she trailed off, clearly seeing something she didn’t expect. ‘Oh my god.’

Nancy swallowed, her nerves kicking in. ‘Too much, right?’ She wasn’t sure if she could bear to turn around and face it.

‘No. Not too much,’ Ari replied, and there was a breath of disbelief in her voice. ‘You look… I don’t think I know enough words.’

Now Nancy did turn, finally facing Ari, but she didn’t expect what hit her next. Ari was standing there in a dress—an elegant, deep green gown that shimmered in the light. The way it hugged her curves, falling just perfectly around her ankles, madeNancy’s heart skip. Ari’s hair was down, loose waves framing her face.

Ari’s eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the air between them felt thick with something more than just a fashion check.

‘You look…’ Nancy began, but the words caught in her throat.

Ari raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a small smile. ‘I look what?’

Nancy’s gaze flickered, unable to fully believe what she was seeing. ‘You always look great, but that dress is…’

Ari’s smile softened, but there was a little self-consciousness there, an unfamiliar shyness that took Nancy by surprise. ‘You like it?’

Nancy stepped closer, the pull of Ari’s presence undeniable. ‘Very. I mean a lot. I mean, yes.’ Nancy’s pulse quickened. ‘But I still feel like I went overboard.’

Ari’s eyes glinted, her tone playful. ‘Only if you call looking like you just stepped out of a movie “overboard.”’

Nancy laughed nervously. But she liked Ari looking at her like this.

Neither of them moved for a few moments. It was as though they were both frozen, unsure of the next step, caught once more in yet another shift in their relationship.

Finally, Nancy turned away, breaking the moment. ‘Ready to steal a necklace, then?’

Ari’s smile, cool and knowing, followed her as she turned. ‘I was born ready,’ she replied. She laughed. ‘I never thought I’d ever get to say that in real life. If I end this day clapped in irons, at least I’ll have that.’

‘Then it will all have been worth it,’ Nancy shot back.

And just like that, they had slipped back into their usual banter. But something in the air had changed, and they both knew it. Nancy didn’t know how long she could fight the change between them. But by god, she was going down swinging.

Thirty

Ari was back in the great hall, pre-wedding drinks.