Once Upon a Marriage
oi
yes still heavy with sleep. The dim light of the morning filte
ed at the screen. Ava's name flashed on the display, a
ng," I mumbled, pressing the phone t
ess, unfazed by the early hour. "I know you're probably still in bed, but ge
my head to block out the light. I could
a little more sleep. The whole t
d on the o
d more than a little beauty sleep to deal with it. Plus, I know you're secretl
nce I saw him and I wasn't sure I was ready for it- the rumours that would
bed and running a hand through my messy hair. "But just the th
oice so
ing from him. This is your chance to show that you're mo
ucian for weeks, but now, it was time to face the ine
But I swear, if I see Jenn
chuc
you won't let her get to you. You're goi
uldn't be worried abo
. What time sho
we don't miss the main event this time. We
through the phone. "Fine. You're t
ght. "Now get up, Eloise. You'
up. I'll see you at 6
" Ava said,
e moments, staring at my p
eel the old emotions rising-anger, b
¤
d out of the car, the lights of the
was every bit as glamorous as I had expected-shimmering g
perfection in a sleek black gown, her arm
ning the room. "Lucian's already here, of cou
of seeing Lucian after everything that had happened
ing my gaze. "You look amazing. They'll be th
ke the feeling of Lucian's presence
canned the room as elegant as ever, when I su
mmanding, I felt my
walking toward me, hi
was deep, smooth, and slightly amus
m. I'm divorced now. I do not ha
o be flattered or alarmed.
ir of confidence that was impossible to i
trigue I felt. He looked familiar but I ca
d to remind me?" I
me leaned in, his eyes catching
huckling. My lips parted, surprised at the directness o
e, Mike," he said, his voice smooth and flatteri
ed, mortified.
gaze, and I struggled to remember him. I
se, I re
ered, piercing th
rk gleam in his eyes tha
bout him that I couldn't place,
, a familiar voice c
the tension. She held up her phone. "Could you take
d, relieved for
But Ava's gaze drifted past me, her eyes n
ub with Eloise two days ago?" Ava asked
f scattered memories, fragments of that night flashing
e was th
ned as the piec
ng his face as he watched the realization