Chapter Six

Valentine. 

The sound of a car horn echoed outside exactly at ten o'clock. Valentine peeked through the curtains, a sleek black Aston Martin was parked outside her gate.

Leaning casually against the driver's door was Adrian Knight.

Even from a distance, he looked entirely too relaxed.

She took a deep breath before grabbing her handbag.

Sienna looked up from the couch, a grin already spreading across her face.

"So"

"No."

"You haven't even let me start."

"I know that look."

"I was just going to say he is ridiculously attractive."

Valentine rolled her eyes.

"Behave."

"I always do."

"You most certainly don't."

Sienna followed her to the front door.

"Oh, and Valentine?"

"What?"

"Try not to accidentally fall in love with your future brother in law."

Valentine shot her a look, "You are impossible."

"So I have been told."

Adrian opened the passenger door before she could reach for the handle.

"Morning."

"Morning."

She climbed inside, carefully avoiding his eyes.

The car pulled away in comfortable silence.

For almost thirty seconds.

"So"

She sighed, "So?"

"Emma?"

Valentine closed her eyes.

"Oh, please don't."

He laughed.

"Emma?"

"It was the first name that came into my head, you try coming up with a fake name under seconds, let's see how you do."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Out of every name in the world"

She groaned, "Can we not?"

"you chose Emma."

"It could have been worse."

He glanced at her.

"What were the other options?"

She pretended to think.

"Jessica."

He nodded thoughtfully, "Better."

"Emily."

"More believable."

"Beyoncé."

He burst into laughter.

"Now that one I would have questioned."

Finally she laughed too, a genuine laugh.

"There."

He smiled.

"That's better."

"What is?"

"You."

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

For a heartbeat, neither of them spoke.

Adrian cleared his throat.

"I mean"

"I know what you meant."

She looked out the window, hiding the smile threatening to appear.

The boutique smelled of vanilla and fresh buttercream.

Glass displays showcased elaborate wedding cakes in every imaginable design.

A cheerful woman hurried toward them.

"You must be Mr. and Miss Knight!"

Both froze.

"Oh" Valentine opened her mouth.

"We are not"

But the woman was already ushering them toward a beautifully decorated table.

"I have prepared six flavors for today's tasting."

Adrian and Valentine exchanged a helpless look.

"This is awkward," Valentine whispered.

"You think?"

The woman placed two forks in front of them.

"Our signature champagne raspberry is usually every groom's favorite."

"I'm actually not"

Before Adrian could finish, the vendor was already slicing the first cake.

She handed Valentine a fork.

Adrian reached for one at exactly the same moment.

Their fingers brushed, just barely, a tiny touch yet it felt startlingly intimate.

Both pulled back immediately.

"You first," Adrian said.

"No, you."

"I insist."

She rolled her eyes before taking the fork.

The vendor watched them with an affectionate smile.

"You two are adorable."

Valentine nearly choked on the first bite.

"We are not a couple."

The woman blinked, "Oh."

Adrian nodded politely.

"I'm here on behalf of my brother."

"The groom."

Realization spread across the vendor's face.

"Oh my goodness."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's fine," Valentine said quickly.

The woman laughed nervously, "Well"

She looked between them.

"I suppose the family resemblance should have been my first clue."

An uncomfortable silence followed.

Adrian rubbed the back of his neck.

Valentine suddenly became very interested in the cake in front of her.

Neither knew what to say.

Finally Valentine set down her fork.

"I think we have tasted enough."

Adrian looked at her, she offered him the smallest pleading glance and he understood immediately.

"I think she is right."

The vendor looked disappointed.

"But there are still three flavors left."

"I'm sure they are delicious," Adrian said kindly.

"But we will have to come back another day."

As they stepped outside into the fresh air, both let out a breath at exactly the same time.

Then looked at each other.

"That," Adrian said, "could have gone better."

"It could have gone much worse."

"True."

"I almost died when she called you the groom."

"I almost corrected her with a little too much enthusiasm."

Valentine smiled.

"I noticed."

For a brief moment, everything felt strangely normal then Adrian's phone rang and it was Alexander.

He answered immediately.

"Hey."

"How did everything go?" Alexander asked.

"We survived."

"I appreciate you doing this for me."

"It's no problem."

"No," Alexander replied sincerely.

"It is. I know I would rather be there myself."

Adrian glanced toward Valentine, who had wandered a few steps away to admire a flower display.

He lowered his voice.

"Actually"

"What is it?"

"I have been thinking."

Alexander waited.

"Maybe we should slow down a little."

"What do you mean?"

"Valentine's been through a lot recently."

There was a pause.

"I think she would appreciate having you here for the bigger decisions."

"You think so?"

"I do."

"I don't want her feeling like she is planning a wedding with a stranger."

Alexander was quiet for a moment.

Then he said softly,

"Thanks for looking out for her."

Adrian looked over at Valentine again.

She was smiling politely at the florist, but there was a sadness in her eyes that hadn't quite disappeared.

He looked away.

"I just think" He hesitated, "she deserves her groom beside her."

When the call ended, Adrian slipped his phone back into his pocket.

Valentine walked over.

"Everything okay?"

He forced a small smile, "Yeah."

But as they walked back toward the car, one thought refused to leave his mind.

The more time he spent pretending to stand in for his brother, the harder it became to remember that he never should have been standing beside her at allm