Page 73 of The Unplanned Wedding

“Thanks,” I murmur. “Did you...” I hesitate. “The dress, and everything I’m wearing, did Knox, Mr. Davenport, did he?—”

She nods. “Everything you’re wearing was personally chosen by Mr. Davenport.”

“Oh,” My heart leaps in my chest. So, he was thinking of me, after all.He said he’d choose the dress, but a part of me needs the reassurance that he did what he said he would. Which he always does. But not seeing or hearing from him for the last three days means I need a pick-me-up.

“Thank you.” I swallow around the ball of emotion in my throat.

“Do you want a picture taken?" Without waiting for my assent, she holds out her hand. I pick up my phone from the vanity stool near the mirror and offer it to her. She takes a few pictures of me, then walks over to share them. Tears prick at my eyes. I’m not sure why seeing myself in my wedding dress is so emotional. It’s silly, really. Oh, how I wish Zoey and Irene and my siblings were here. A wave of loneliness washes over me, and I hunch my shoulders.

She must sense the emotions coursing through me. "Are you okay?" she asks in a worried tone.

"Of course," I sniffle.

"You sure?" Her forehead furrows. "Can I get you anything? Something to drink?"

I didn’t eat anything this morning because I was too nervous. But the thought of drinking anything turns my stomach to mush. "No, I’m good. It’s just—" I shake my head. How can I explain the sudden apprehension gripping me? I'm doing the right thing; I know that. But it feels like a lot.

There’s another knock, then a familiar face appears in the doorway.

My eyes widen. "Zoey?"

29

June

"You thought you could get away by getting hitched on the sly?" Zoey waltzes in. She’s wearing a pale green dress whose cut is complimentary to mine. It feels like it was stitched for her, too. It looks like the kind of dress a bridesmaid would wear.

"And how are you?—"

"Dressed so that I match the vibe of your dress?" She laughs. "Knox had it delivered to me early this morning."

Knox did that?I frown. "Did he?—"

"He told me he realized his mistake and that he couldn’t marry anyone else but you. He said he decided not to go ahead with the arranged marriage proposed by his grandfather. That he’d proposed, and that you’d accepted. He also confirmed he’d arranged to have the wedding ceremony today, at his penthouse, so he could then announce it to his grandfather and his family as a fait-accompli."

He mentioned he wanted to keep it a surprise from his family to ensure his grandfather didn’t pull any last-minute shenanigans to stop thewedding. He emphasized how important it was to keep the proceedings under wraps. Yet he invited Zoey to the wedding.Did he realize I’d feel lonely? Did he think I’d want some company to back me up?The thoughts whirl around in my head.

Zoey must notice the play of expressions on my face for her forehead wrinkles. "Is everything okay? This is what you want, right?"

Rachel looks between us. "I’ll leave you two alone." Then she turns to Zoey. "Will you bring her to the conservatory in ten minutes? I’ll delay things until then."

"Thank you," I murmur.

Zoey smiles and nods. When Rachel leaves, she turns on me. "Tell me everything. I thought you and Knox didn’t get along. In fact, I was sure you were going to quit the job. Next thing I hear, you’re getting married. And you didn’t even tell me!"

I hesitate. "It was a surprise, even to me," I say honestly.

She purses her lips. "These Davenport men are sneaky. I was worried it would end up like this for you."

"You were?"

She tosses her head. "Knox is your boss, and a hottie. And while he was obnoxious toward you, it was clear when I saw the two of you together that the sparks between the two of you were off-the-charts, too. And having seen Skylar getting hitched to Nathan Davenport, and more recently, Vivian to Quentin Davenport— I’m aware that old man, Arthur Davenport, would do anything to get his sons and grandsons married off. So yeah, it crossed my mind that, given how you and Knox are attracted to each other, perhaps he’d find a way to convince you to marry him."

And he did.

She must notice the expression on my features for her gaze widens. "Oh my god, that’s what he did, didn’t he? He managed to find a way to give you something you want in return for your marrying him."

I blow out a breath. "He promised to set up my family for life. They'll never have to worry about money again."

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