Page 54 of Arranged To Be Mine

We made the purchase. Cleo insisted on taking me to lunch afterward. We settled into a corner booth at a trendy café, ordering salads and sparkling water.

“Thank you again for today,” I said. “I never would have found that dress on my own.”

“Happy to help. Besides, I had fun. It’s nice to shop for someone who actually listens to advice.”

I laughed. “I’m guessing brides don’t always?”

“You have no idea.” She rolled her eyes. “Last week I had a bride insist on a mermaid silhouette even though she’s six months pregnant. Some battles you just can’t win.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

“It can be. But it’s not about what I want. They have an idea in their head and it’s my job to make it work.” She took a sip of her water. “So, the masquerade ball. When is it?”

“Two weeks. Saturday night.”

“That sounds amazing.”

I paused, an idea forming. “Would you want to come? My company is hosting it, so I can get you tickets. It’s the least I can do after you spent your whole day helping me.”

Cleo’s eyes widened. “Seriously? I would love that!”

“Consider it done. I’ll put you on the guest list.”

“In that case,” she grinned, “we need to find me a dress too.”

We headed to another designer boutique. Cleo knew what worked for her. She tried on half a dozen options before settling on a silver gown that complemented her coloring perfectly.

“We’re going to look amazing,” she declared as we left the store, shopping bags in hand.

I realized something had changed. I’d come out today looking for a dress, but I’d found something more valuable.

Maybe, just maybe, I’d found a friend.

17

BEAU

Istood on a small platform while an elderly tailor with nimble fingers adjusted the hem of my trousers, muttering to himself in a mix of English and Italian. I knew how this worked. I’d been fitted for suits several times over the last year. Never piss off the guy with straight pins near your junk.

I was lucky I didn’t have any major deadlines pending. I would never have time for any of this. When a big trial was coming up, it was seven days a week, eighteen-hour days. Which reminded me I needed to hire another paralegal. I had a constant revolving door of clients that should be getting my attention. In the back of my mind, I knew I could be spending more time with them and less time with my new, blonde-haired distraction.

“Arms up, please,” Giovanni said. I complied while he measured across my shoulders for what felt like the hundredth time.

Jeremy stood on the platform next to mine, admiring himself in the mirror with zero subtlety. My younger brother had never met a reflective surface he didn’t love.

“This is going to be incredible,” Jeremy said, turning to check out his profile. “I’ve heard about the Corwin Gems masquerade ball for years. Super exclusive. A-list only. And now I’m finally going to see what all the fuss is about.”

“You’re welcome,” I said dryly.

“Seriously, though. Thank you for getting me in.”

“It wasn’t me,” I said. “Thank Cleo.”

He grinned. “I’m her plus-one. I never imagined I’d be back to needing my older sister to be my wingman.”

“Was it eighth grade she had to be your date to the dance?”

“Don’t remind me.” He grinned at his reflection. “Think of all the mysterious masked women I’m going to meet. The intrigue. The romance. The potential for incredibly bad decisions.”