Page 118 of Imperfect Arrangement
Daisy leans forward, placing a hand over mine. “Wills, for a second, forget how this started, forget how you and Ray got together. Just think about what you have now.”
I pull away, my throat tightening. “I already told you…it’s not like that.”
After Daisy was discharged from the hospital, my friends ambushed me with an intervention, and I had to come clean about the blurred lines of my arrangement with Raymond.
“It’s just…”
“Please don’t say sex.” Daisy groans, rolling her eyes. “The way that man looks at you everywhere you go, it’s not just sex. You’re clearly either too blind or in a serious case of denial, Wills.”
Before I can argue, she tilts her head, and like a moth to a flame, I follow her gaze. Raymond is standing by the outdoor bar, deep in conversation with his cousins. But his eyes? They’re onme.
He looks…devastating. The event planners went all out, making this grand opening look more like an actual wedding to suit the theme and venue. Every man—including Ray—is dressed in an ivory suit. His dark hair is slightly tousled, and unlike the rest of the guys, who are wearing white roses on their lapels, Ray has a small sunflower held in place by a quill-shaped pin.
A lump forms in my throat. He looks like a groom. My fingers grip the silk fabric of my dress and my heart starts to race, like clockwork, whenever he’s around.
Stop it, Wills.
I force myself to look away.
Violet clears her throat. “And you were saying it’s only sex?”
I exhale. “I never said I wasn’t attracted to him.”
Daisy shakes her head. “Charles and I spent a major part of my pregnancy apart because he was too scared to accept his feelings. I hope you don’t make the same mistake, Wills.”
I let out a slow, shaky breath because, deep down, I know it’s not the same. Charles loved Daisy. They had a real, official wedding, with vows that had words likeuntil death do us apart. They both believed in their happily ever after.
But Ray and I don’t have any of that. In fact, if not for that crappy article, no one would have known we were engaged. We’re an outcome of a circumstance that’s now approaching its end.
* * *
“Why are you hiding in here?”Raymond’s words slip through the quiet, rich and smooth like a slow-burning melody. I turn to find him leaning casually against the doorframe, his bow tie undone, the ends draped carelessly around his collar. The top button of his shirt is popped open, giving him that frustratingly effortless look—like he just stepped straight out of a swoon-worthy, epic romance movie.
“Who said anything about hiding? I’m…appreciating.”
He steps into the dimly lit party hall. “Then I won’t stop you. This is definitely worth appreciating.”
I follow his gaze as it sweeps across the space, taking in the high V-shaped ceiling, the exposed wooden beams, and the soft glow of chandeliers suspended from above. The floor-to-ceiling white curtains flutter slightly with the night breeze from the open patio doors.
The staff has already cleaned up. The tables are draped again in pristine white cloths, centerpieces arranged with perfect precision. Everything looks untouched––a blank canvas, waiting for the next chapter. Raymond picks up a candle from one of the tables and flicks open his lighter, the tiny flame illuminating his face as he watches it catch.
“It was an amazing event.” He steals the words right out of my mouth.
I swallow. “It was.”
“And you look stunning.”
“Thanks.”
Much like the men, who looked every bit like grooms for the day, we girls were dressed in gowns that could make any bridal party green with envy. Elixir Estates’ in-house stylist chose a champagne-colored dress for me, claiming it complemented my red hair. My curls were expertly styled by a team of patient hairstylists who didn’t bat an eye as I spent the entire time on the phone, making sure everything else was running smoothly.
“Are we planning on staying longer? If so, I can ask my mom and dad to sleep over at our place with Quill tonight.”
My breath catches.Ourplace. He says it so easily, like it’s a given, like I’ve always been a permanent part of his life.
“Ray—” I swallow, my throat tight, the weight of everything pressing down on me. The words I’ve been shoving aside all day claw their way to the surface. Does he realize it too? That as of today, every term of our arrangement has been fulfilled? But instead of asking the question that’s been eating at me, my voice twists, betraying the truth I’m too scared to admit. “What happens now?”
“Now you run a kick-ass business like you were always meant to.” His fingers brush against my cheek as he tucks a loose curl behind my ear, and I swear my heart is clawing its way out of my rib cage.
