Page 23 of Arranged Control

People hurrypast as I lean against the brick facade. Kira’s still upstairs drinking champagne and talking with Celeste’s army of assistants. I raise the phone to my ear and wait for it to ring.

My brother answers right before it goes to voicemail. I can’t remember the last time Taras picked up right away. I swear, he stares at the screen, debating whether or not he wants to talk to me before finally accepting my call.

We have almost nothing in common. He’s over a decade older than me. We technically grew up in the same house, but he was always like a big cousin or an uncle at best. There’s never been warmth between us.

“Yes, Alina? What do you need?”

Typical Taras. Too busy for the world. “I wanted to call and thank you. Or maybe I should thank Papa.”

“For what?” He sounds annoyed like usual.

“The dress. Celeste Delacroix.” I frown a little when he doesn’t answer. “You know, the appointment today?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Is this actually important?”

“Then maybe Papa did it?”

“If it’s got something to do with the wedding, I can guarantee he didn’t. The Whelans are handling everything.”

“Oh. That’s right.” My stomach drops a little as I glance down the street. “So, uh, Taras?—”

“If that’s all, I have to go.”

My older brother hangs up.

I sigh and look down at the phone. I need to be back upstairs in two minutes. We’re taking a short break while Celeste recharges her creative energies or whatever. Kira thinks that’s shorthand fordo drugsand she’s probably right, but I don’t care. So long as I get the dress I’ve always wanted.

Working with Celeste is incredible. The woman is chic, smart, and competent. I’m also aware that this meeting is probably costing a hundred dollars a minute or something obscene like that. Getting a full two hours of her time is madness. Plus an actual dress at the end of it.

I’ve taken things all my life. Papa’s been providing since I was little. But this is too much. I idly thumb the phone and stare at Seamus’s name, trying to debate whether I want to actually go through with this or not. I don’t have his mother’s contact information, despite him telling me to get in touch with her. Maybe I can just ask for her number?—

A black BMW pulls up to the curb in front of me. I glance over as the window rolls down, and Seamus himself stares out at me, smiling ever so slightly at the sheer surprise in my expression.

“Not expecting me?” he asks, leaning across the car.

“What are you doing here?”

“Wanted to make sure everything was going well.” He glances at the building. “This is where that fancy dress lady works? I thought she was some starving artist.”

“She’s a multi-millionaire,” I mutter, glancing over my shoulder. A simple brass plaque with the number37is all that marks her door. “I was actually thinking about calling you.”

“Something wrong?” His expression hardens. “I was told she was the best. If she’s not giving you what you want?—”

“No, no, Celeste is amazing. I was going to call and ask…” I trail off, frowning at him. “Wait, how did you know I was here? Did your mother tell you?”

That smirk comes back as he shakes his head. “For once, this wasn’t Siobhan’s idea.” He climbs out of the car and strolls over like he owns the sidewalk, grinning the whole time. I stare at him, dumbfounded.

“Youdid this?” I shake my head. “Is that why only Kira got a call and I didn’t?”

“I wanted to surprise you. Did it work?” His eyes sparkle with amusement.

“We were late. She was pissed. All because I didn’t know and wasn’t ready.”

His grin gets bigger. “I love it. But here you are.”

“Seriously, how did you make this happen?”

“Let’s just say that someone has to provide Miss Delacroix with hercreative inspiration.” His eyebrows raise as he touches his nose.