f the mirror, staring at herself-unrecognizable. Her long hair cascaded in sof

djusting a diamond necklace around

d one. "L

in. More

k black tuxedo. His eyes swept over her slowly-lingering for a

n up well

an eyebrow.

as they descended to

-

ved. Security surrounded the entrance as Ava stepped out, arm wrapped around Al

long here. And

ike he was born here. Conf

ned in and whispered, "Keep your

longside him like a practiced par

andeliers, soft piano music, trays of champagne

ire type with too-perfect hair and a smir

ng him on the back. "And thi

stiff nod. "Ava, this is Jerem

. "If I knew Alex was hiding you,

ith a smooth smile. "He just like

lever, Alex. Careful, or

r's face

d herself, walking toward the refresh

she felt Alexande

g well," he

d. "This isn't much different than w

le. But his g

l tonight," he sai

d. "What d

d away.

tall, stunning, wrapped in emerald silk. She draped

t know you wer

he said, v

The woman glanced at her, eyes sha

answered before

't reach her eyes.

ng her hand tightly around Alexand

sion unreadable. "Well, congrats. Let'

e that, she

lexander. "She

id no

?" she

ing lik

realized something: under his hard s

wn into the middle of a wa