Page 25 of Nothing to the Wedding

“Against me?For what?”

“Right now, false imprisonment.If I open my mouth and scream, there’ll be a story.One that wouldn’t do much for your reputation.”

On an incredulous exhale, he relaxed.“You don’t get it, do you?You think this is a war, that we’re on opposing sides.You don’t see it.”

“Don’t see what?”

“You’re Cinderella.”

“Cinda-fuckin-rella?Me?”

“We’re fascinated, everyone’s fascinated.You didn’t just enthrall Lomond, you captivated the rest of us too.”Hopefully for different reasons.“You’ve got charisma, yeah, and you’re beautiful, you’re fucking hot, but that’s not it.Not all of it… You’re living the fantasy.”

Zairn was the fantasy.Crosby was right about perspective.Others may see the money or the lifestyle, the Prince Charming, and it was a helluva view.She got that.Except, for her, it was the man.The one the world didn’t know.Her man.Her Casanova.Her Zairn Lomond.

It wasn’t often she thought about how her life was blessed.No, truthfully, she thought about that a lot.Things had turned around in a massive way.She hadn’t been unhappy in her life pre-Zairn, yet, compared to now…?She’d never been so complete.

Hmm, that might be a good one for the vows.

Jane and Toria reminded her on a regular, regular basis that her guy’s yumminess on the yummy scale was high.So did her Delights, and the Crimsettes, and, of course, the Queens.There was an appetite for her life.As she’d been told, numerous times.In her wildest dreams, pre-Z, she wouldn’t have expected the media would be interested in her, under any circumstances.

Then there was Casanova.

“I’ve heard about it…” he said.“The clamor… for the show.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”She did.A little.Ish.Okay, she did.“Sounds like you’re a smidge obsessed.”

“I’m not the only one.”When he pounced closer, she recoiled, not backing off, just leaning away.“You are hot.”

“Okay, it’s creepy when you say that so many times.”

“No, I’m talking about your popularity not your looks.You’re hot property.Hot off the press.”

“Still creepy.”

“Not many people get Karryn Keller.”

“Why do you care?”she asked.“Do you get a cut for high ratings or something?”

“Is Zairn involved in your show?Word is, he’s the holdout.”

Illuminating.“Is that what’s got you amped?You want the interview before everything else kicks off?It’s not about the wedding?”

“It’s a lot about the wedding.Your wedding is the cherry on the cake; it’s one hell of a launch platform.”

“Sorry you didn’t think of it first?”

“Oh, I thought about it.Fantasized about it.But I’d never get close, would I?You’ve got your clique and—”

“Get out of my way.”

“Think about it.The boost.You’d get more money.More exposure.”

She shook her head.“I’m not buying.”

“You lead a charmed life.It’s aspirational.Millions would kill to be on your path.Young women all over the world want to do what you did.”

“What I did?Fall in love with an incredible man?”Her phone chirped.“If those women fall in love with whoever they fall in love with, they’ll be on a path of their own.”