After curling her hair, she redid her makeup, then changed into a strapless bra. She’d found her dress at the outlet mall. It had been one of those great moments in shopping history—with the price marked down four different times and the dress landing under a “50 percent off on this rack only” sign.
The dress was white, with spaghetti straps and an asymmetrical hem. The top was fitted, the skirt full and there were tiny clear crystals angling across fabric.
She supposed it had been a prom dress that hadn’t found a home and while it wasn’t the dress she’d always imagined for her wedding, she felt pretty when she slipped it on and closed the side zipper.
After she finger-combed the curls and sprayed them until they practically crackled, she reached for the engagement ring she hadn’t worn since the night Dev had bought it for her. She hesitated, then slid it on her right hand. When the ceremony was over, she would put it on her left, in front of her wedding band.
Which, she suddenly thought, hadn’t been discussed.
Just then Dev knocked on the bedroom door. She crossed the cushy carpet, her high-heel sandals sinking in with each step.
“Hi,” she said as she opened the door. “I’m ready.”
He looked good in his tailored black suit. Very elegant and in charge.
He smiled. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She clutched the tiny white satin evening bag she’d borrowed from Crissy. “Did you, um, think to get wedding bands?”
He patted his jacket pocket. “I have them right here. I picked out platinum, to match your engagement ring.”
Before she could say anything, he held out a small bouquet of white roses and starburst lilies.
“For the bride,” he told her.
She hadn’t expected flowers. Funny how they got to her more than the suite or the expensive engagement ring. Her eyes burned with unshed tears and she willed herself not to cry. Dev had been nothing but sweet and thoughtful. He didn’t deserve tears.
She thanked him and they walked to the elevator. The ride down passed with a blur. Suddenly they were in a small chapel and she was reciting that she would love and cherish Dev as long as they both shall live. She hesitated slightly before her “I do” knowing she was making a vow she had every intention of breaking. Then she whispered the words and it was over.
She was aware of someone taking their picture, then polite conversation with the officiate, followed by a quick ride back up to the room.
“Are you all right?” Dev asked as he inserted the key, then pushed opened the door.
“I’m fine.”
She didn’t feel any different than she had a half hour ago. Except for the slender platinum band nestled against her engagement ring, there wasn’t any proof that anything had changed. Yet she was now married. How was that possible? Shouldn’t she feel profoundly transformed?
“Did you eat last night?” he asked.
She turned her attention from her rings to the man she’d married. “What?”
“Let me rephrase that. When was the last time you ate?”
Food, like sleep, hadn’t seemed possible. “Thursday.”
“That can’t be good.”
He took her hand and led her toward the large dining table. It was only then she noticed the covered dishes, along with a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket.
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t have eaten much,” he said. “So I ordered us an early dinner.”
He walked to the champagne and expertly popped the cork. After pouring some in two glasses, he handed her one. “I know you’re pregnant and only nineteen, but I thought you might want a sip on your wedding day.”
She stared at the bubbles rising in the narrow glass, then smiled at him. “Actually, I’m twenty. My birthday was last week.”
He frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I missed it.”
Some of her tension eased as she laughed. “I really didn’t expect you to notice, Dev. It’s not a big deal.”
Had they been a real couple, she would have been hurt, but under the circumstances…not so much.
He raised his glass. “To your birthday, a few days late. And to us.”
She touched her glass to his, then took a sip.
While the bubbles tickled her tongue, the liquid had no taste. She didn’t think it was the champagne’s fault, either. At that moment, she doubted she could have tasted anything. She put down her glass and tried to ignore the trembling in her body. She was so tired, she thought. Tired and confused and not sure what he expected of her.
Noelle swayed slightly on her feet. Dev grabbed her arm.
“Are you all right?” he asked, wondering what the hell he would do if she collapsed.
“I’m okay. I haven’t been sleeping.”
Exhaustion darkened her eyes. Her skin was so pale, it was practically white.
“You want to go lie down?” he asked.
“I won’t sleep.”
“You might surprise yourself.” He spun her toward her room and gave her a push. “Go on.”
She turned back to him. “What about the dinner? You went to so much trouble.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
She bit her bottom lip as if not sure if she could do what she wanted instead of what she should. Then she raised herself on tiptoe, whispered, “Thank you,” and kissed him on the cheek.
Her lips lingered for half a second and in that moment he was stunned to find himself wanting to turn so that his mouth brushed hers. Only he wanted more than just a simple kiss. He wanted to claim her in a moment of passion that rocked them both.
The need shocked him into stepping back, although he was careful to keep his face expressionless. He gave her another little push and this time she walked into her bedroom and shut the door.
He stood alone in the center of the living room, with an open bottle of champagne and a romantic dinner for two. Ignoring both, he walked to the minibar and pulled out every container of Scotch.
Hell of a way to spend a wedding night, he thought as he opened the first bottle and swallowed the contents.
Chapter Five
Noelle twisted her new rings round and round on her finger. “I keep thinking I’ve reached the peak stomachchurning experience,” she said. “But then a new one crops up. Do you think we’re close to done?”
As she spoke, she glanced at Dev, who sat behind the wheel of the car and negotiated the streets that led to her parents’ house.
“Once we’re through with this, it should be easy,” he said.
“Except I have to tell them I’m pregnant.”
“Not for a few more weeks.”
“I know. I’ll try not to think about it.”
She was getting good at that—clearing her mind and living in the moment. After the wedding, she’d stretched out on the big bed, thinking she would never sleep. When next she’d surfaced, it had been after midnight and she’d still been in her white dress. She’d showered, washed off her makeup, then crawled into bed where she’d zonked out until nearly eight.
They’d shared a quiet breakfast in one of the cafes, then had flown home at noon. Now they were going by to tell her family the news and pick