Page 29 of Lucas

We both dissolve into laughter, the tension breaking.

“But seriously,” Cora says, “you look stunning, Ava. Like a princess. Poor Lucas won’t know what hit him.”

“Poor Lucas, indeed,” I murmur, my mind drifting to my infuriating future husband. Arrogant, annoying, ridiculously attractive Lucas.

I shake my head, dispelling the thought. I can’t afford to think of him that way, can’t afford to feel anything but contempt for the man who holds my fate in his hands.

“So, have you thought about your something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?” Cora asks, breaking me out of my reverie.

“My something old is my hatred for your brother, my something new is this dress, my something borrowed is the two years of my life I’m giving up for this sham of a marriage, and my something blue...” I pause, thinking. “My something blue is the color Lucas’s balls will be when I’m done with him.”

Cora’s mouth drops open before she bursts into laughter, clutching her stomach. “Oh my God, Ava, you can’t say things like that.”

“Why not? It’s true.” I shrug, fighting back a smile.

“You’re terrible.” She shakes her head, still laughing.

“I know.”

“What am I going to do with you?” Cora sighs, but she’s smiling.

“Support me and help me hide the body when I finally snap and murder your brother?”

“Ava!” she scolds, but she’s laughing again.

“Kidding! Mostly.” I wink.

Cora just shakes her head, her shoulders still shaking with mirth. “Come on, let’s get you out of this dress before you plan any more homicides.”

“What about you?” I ask, tilting my head. “Don’t you want to get married?”

“Actually, I’m dating someone, but we haven’t talked about such things yet.” She places a hand on my arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay, I’m only twenty-five. I have time. My eggs aren’t screaming yet.”

I smile.

“Oh, look at that cute dog.” She points to a puppy walking with its owner outside the window, her face lighting up. “Do you like dogs?”

“Yes. But I can’t get a dog because I have a parrot.”

“You’re serious?” Her eyebrows shoot up.

“Yes. I adopted him after he was in an awful state, almost featherless, and I rehabilitated him. He’s fine now, physically, but he swears a lot.”

Cora’s mouth drops open. “Swears?”

“He cursed out Lucas.” I grin at the memory.

“Damn, I would pay to hear that.” She laughs, her eyes sparkling.

“Maybe you’ll get the chance because he’s moving with me, and they’ll meet again.” I smile, imagining the scene.

“Listen, Ava, I’m starving. Do you want to go eattogether? Or do you prefer we eat separately and meet up later to continue?” she offers, her tone casual. “I know I’m his sister, and you didn’t want my help, so I’ll understand if you’d prefer not to sit with me. I won’t be offended.”

I fall silent for a moment, considering. I spent the morning with her, and contrary to what I expected, I’ve enjoyed the day so far. She’s nice, funny, caring, and she went along with every silly request I made. Maybe it’s all an act to get me to trust her, but something about her feels real. Authentic.

“I’d love to eat together. Do you know any good places close by?”

“The best.” She smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Let’s go. I have a warehouse to show you afterward.”