Page 27 of Vicious Arrangement
“I don’t have any intentions of falling in love, with him or anyone. Angus and my job are more than enough.”
“And me.”
I laugh. “And you.”
“But you’ll be living with him.”
“Like roommates. And lots of marriages aren’t about love. There’s a world full of arranged marriages out there. I’m betting a lot of those are built on mutual understanding and respect rather than love and lust.”
“But Ari… what if?—”
“I think he’ll be relieved with me leaving him alone as I will be with him doing the same for me. I’m sure of it.”
We hit boutiques in Brooklyn and Long Island City in Queens—where a new little wedding dress shop has popped up and those who know go. And we hit Manhattan, too.
In the West Village, I’m in the dressing room, trying on yet another dress. This one is simple, and as I hold it, I look in the mirror at the half-smile on my face and my pink cheeks.
I’m having fun.
And yes, a part of me is looking forward to seeing the look on Noah’s face when I’m all dressed up.
I pull on the dress.
Just because I don’t plan on falling in love with the guy, doesn’t mean I don’t want to feel good about myself. A little bit.
“You dressed?” Katie calls.
“Yes.”
She pulls back the curtain and gasps. “Bingo.”
Chapter Eight
NOAH
I checkmy watch as I lean against the railing on the top step of City Hall.
Aria isn’t late. Yet.
“The suit’s good, so stop panicking,” Asher says, who’s here as my witness.
“Of course it is.” I smooth a hand down the dark purple tie with tiny lavender flowers on it. “Apart from the tie.”
“I got you that tie.”
I give him a smile. “I know. It’s got… flowers on it.”
He rolls his eyes. “You’ve worn ties with things on them before.”
“When I was in my early twenties, man. Now if there’s something on the tie, it’s a subtle pattern.”
“That’s subtle.”
“It’s purple and lavender.”
“I asked what suit you were wearing and you said it was a Byron or something and it had purple pinstripes.”
Good god, and we’re friends. “It’s a Brioni Vanquish and the pinstripe is a dark plum.”
