Page 97 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Knox wants to elope. He offered to get married while we’re in Paris.”

My jaw dropped. “Seriously?” She nodded. “I guess you told him no since you asked me to be your maid of honor.” She’d sent me a video a few days ago with the prettiest maid of honor proposal. I’d immediately accepted, of course.

“Maid ormatron,” she said with a knowing look. “Depending on when you and Nate decide to get married.”

I laughed, though it sounded nervous to my ears. “We’re not in any rush. For now, we’re just enjoying being engaged.”

“That’s good. And I’m so excited that we can enjoy being engaged together. I was hoping you’d help me pick a dress when we’re back in town.”

“That sounds like fun,” I said, but then I sighed. “But I’m guessing dress shopping would turn into a circus with me there, and that’s not fair to you.”

“Please. When you’re engaged to a billionaire, the designers come to you.” She laughed. “But I don’t blame you for not wanting to be mobbed by photographers.”

“It’s just…surreal, you know. I’m used to doing whatever I want. Going where I want. Sure, I used to get recognized sometimes. But this is a whole nother level.”

It was a little better in Abu Dhabi, but I kept wondering when the fervor from our engagement announcement would die down. I wondered if I’d ever be able to live a normal life again. When I’d agreed to this charade, I’d known that my life would change. But I’d underestimated just how much.

She frowned. “I’m sure that’s difficult. It sounds like it’s wearing on you.”

“Thanks,” I said. “But it’s not all bad. Nate had Jay send a whole new wardrobe for me to Abu Dhabi, and it’s all fabulous.”

Kendall grinned, shaking her head. “Sometimes this life is crazy.”

“No joke,” I said, holding up my ring. “I cannot get over how much this diamond is worth or the fact that it came from his mother’s collection. Acollection!”

“Have you seen it?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Has Knox showed you the family jewels?”

And then we both burst out laughing. We were laughing so hard, tears were streaming down my cheeks, and I had to clutch my stomach.

“Sorry,” I said between fits of laughter. “Sorry.”

We finally calmed down, and she said, “Knox has given me a few pieces, but it’s my impression the bulk of it was left to Nate.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Yeah. When it came to the money, all the kids got equal shares of the hotel fortune. But the personal items were designated in their parents’ wills. Nate got the majority of their mom’s jewelry collection, and Knox got the sports memorabilia.”

“Interesting,” I said.

“Let me see the ring again.”

I held up my hand, allowing her to inspect it through the screen. “Nate chose well for you. The ring is gorgeous, and you’ve always wanted a red diamond.”

“I know. And the crazy thing is, I never told him.”

“Seriously?” she asked.

I nodded. I would’ve asked Kendall if Nate had reached out to her for help selecting my engagement ring, but I knew that wasn’t possible, considering the circumstances of our engagement. Still, it was the only thing that made sense.

“I guess he really does know you.” She grinned.

“Guess so,” I said, still stuck on the fact that he’d picked my dream ring. All by himself. What were the chances?

“Emmy,” she said in a softer voice. “How are you, really? I was terrified when I heard you’d been hospitalized.”

I’d forgotten that I hadn’t talked to Kendall on the phone since then. We’d only texted, and it had been brief. The whole incident felt like so long ago, and yet it had barely been a week. A week ago, and a world away.

---