Page 12 of Falling Hard
"Olivia, I hope you don't mind me stopping by."
Poker face activated, I smiled even brighter and gestured to the chair in front of me. "Solemn, you didn't need to make up a story just to see me–"
She smiled briefly. "It's Solenne, and I just got the editorial position atEye on Fashion, that was true."
What? Not only did she con Luke into marriage, this woman used her skill to convince theEye on Fashionboard to appoint her. She was fucking good.
"Well, congratulations then."
"On the engagement or the new position?" she asked, her eyes studying the photo of me, Luke, and the girls on my desk. The corner of her mouth curved like she already knew the answer.
Out of me came a laugh that even I had to admit sounded a little too loud and sharp. It wasn't my best fake one. "Both, of course."
"Thanks. I was so happy Luke was smart enough not to let me slip away," she said.
I nodded and swallowed deeply. "He would be a fool otherwise."
"And we both know that he’s not."
I was growing tired of this. My performance couldn't be counted on to go on much longer. "So, what can I do for you?"
"I know Luke wants you to be the best man."
An idea came to me. "Is that a problem for you? I'd gladly just sit in the crowd. Trust me."
"No. He really wants it. And I’m not self-conscious about the relationship you two have. I know how Luke feels about me."
Somewhere in there I was just offended, but I needed time to pinpoint it.
"That's nice. Glad to hear," I replied.
My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard, but I had to keep a professional relationship withEye on Fashionfor Fox & Cie.
"I'm a bit uneasy asking," she said.
"Ask. Ask away. We aren't strangers."Even though I wished we had never met.
"Well, Fox & Cie always has the best bridal collection in New York."
She didn’t need to go any further. She came from France with one thing in abundance: audacity. First, she stole Luke and now wanted me to dress her, then stand at the altar as they got married.
"Any chance I can get a one-of-a-kind Fox & Cie for my special day?"
Forgetting myself, I dropped the fake smile; there was only so much a person could stomach.
"Absolutely!"
Briefly, I contemplated whether I was losing my mind. Why the fuck had I said that? There was no way a sane me would agree. That's when I realized the sound didn't come from my mouth. I looked up to find Dad at the door, wearing a smile. "The Eye on Fashion editor in chief in a Fox & Cie bridal gown is a win for both of us, isn’t it, Olivia?"
I smiled like nothing was wrong, stretching my lips so wide that they felt brittle and tight.
"Thank you, Mr. Fox."
"Any wife of Luke's should never call me that; that boy is like a son to me."
If she called him “dad,” I wouldn't be responsible for my actions. We locked eyes, and in Solemn's I saw nothing but taunting.
"This is all a dream come true. First Luke, then the job, and now my wedding in my own castle."
