Chapter 2

My heart froze when I saw Elise again, staring straight at me like she was ready to expose me, to strip me bare, to humiliate me. But to my relief, she was quickly whisked away for the final preparations. The ceremony was about to begin.

"Kensington Wineries? Where did she even get that from?" I asked.

He pointed to one of the waiters walking through the reception hall, serving drinks. Christian grabbed a bottle and held up the label for me that read "Kensington."

"From what's going to be our best friend tonight," he said, pouring two glasses to the brim. "I think you need this to start with."

"Smart, picking a name that's already a well-known brand. But do you actually know anything about wine?"

"I know that wine is like people," he replied with a mischievous smile, leaning in so close I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "The best ones have to be savored slowly… first you take in the aroma…" His eyes flicked down briefly to my lips. "Then you taste just a little, letting the flavor spread…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "…and only then do you savor every sip, feeling it warm you from the inside, until the very last… moment."

"You clearly don't know a thing about wine," I finally managed, trying to keep my composure. "But I'll admit you're very smooth."

I was already expecting the ceremony to be a nightmare, but honestly? Nothing could have prepared me for this. Sitting in the pew, clutching Christian's hand tightly, I tried to keep a neutral expression while Elise and Alex exchanged vows of eternal love. With every "you're the love of my life," all I wanted to do was stand up and scream "Traitors!"

Each phrase hit me like a slap. And if I closed my eyes for even a second, I could remember the day Alex had said those exact same words to me.

My hand clutched Christian's so tightly that my own fingers ached. "If you keep squeezing like that, sweetheart, I'm going to lose circulation," he whispered.

"Sorry. Just having a minor internal breakdown."

"I noticed. Want me to fake a fainting spell to stop the ceremony?"

"No. I mean… maybe. If all else fails, spill wine on the bride's dress."

He chuckled, but didn't deny he'd actually do it.

After the ceremony, the reception turned into a show of wealth. Soft lighting, a sophisticated buffet, waiters weaving through the crowd with champagne in crystal flutes.

That was how Elise found me: clutching my second glass like my life depended on it. "Zoey! I'm so happy you came," she said in a sickeningly sweet tone. "It means so much to me that we were able to move past everything."

Move past? Hah. As if I was the petty one for holding a grudge.

Alex walked up, giving me a slow once-over. "You look different, Zoey."

It was almost like he meant I shouldn't look like this. Pretty. Smiling. Whole. They expected to see me broken.

"Thank you."

Elise smiled when she noticed Christian. Her eyes slid over him, the way someone would size up a product. "What a surprise. A date, so soon?"

Before I could reply, Christian let out a low chuckle. "Fiancé," he corrected smoothly, sliding his hand around my waist in a casual but possessive way. His gaze locked on Elise's with a defiant glint. "Funny you'd say that, Elise. Seems like Zoey's not the one still living in the past."

Elise's smile didn't falter, but I caught her eyes narrowing, her hand tightening slightly around her champagne glass. She tried to hide it, but it was obvious the jab had landed. She was furious. I, on the other hand, had to fight to keep a grin off my face.

"So you really are engaged?" Elise folded her arms. "That's surprising… I've never seen anything about you two anywhere."

"We're private," Christian replied.

Amanda, another ex–college acquaintance, walked up with her little group.

"So this is the famous heir-fiancé?" she asked with a malicious little smirk.

"Christian Kensington," he introduced himself.

"Kensington?" Helena raised a brow. "Never heard of any single Kensington in Solara Bay."

"That doesn't surprise me," Christian said with a polite smile laced with disdain. "After all, I'm not single, am I?"

Alex tried to steer things back under control. "Kensington… from Kensington Wineries? The one that's won awards all over the world?"

A chill ran down my spine. This was a test. Christian, or whatever his real name was, was just a gigolo. What could he possibly know about fine wines?

"Yes, that's the one," Christian replied easily. "Although I'm more focused on the family's international investments. I rarely visit the vineyards."

Elise's eyes widened slightly. "I work with several premium wine brands and I've never seen you at any event."

"I spend most of my time in Westcliff," Christian said smoothly. "By the way, Alex, how's that project at the Crescent Harbor going? I heard you're having trouble with the environmental permits."

Alex's face went pale. "How do you know about that?"

Christian just shrugged.

"I have my contacts."

My jaw dropped, and Christian gave my hand a slight squeeze, as if reminding me to lift my chin. When had he even had time to dig up dirt on Alex?

Elise jumped in, clearly annoyed. "This engagement must be very recent." She looked at me with barely disguised pity. "After everything, I really didn't expect you to… manage to move on so quickly."

The way she said manage made it sound like I was some kind of charity case.

"Don't underestimate Zoey," Christian cut in. "She's far more incredible than any of you realize."

Elise smiled condescendingly. "Of course she is. I'm so happy for you, darling. I was worried that you might not… well, get over it. But the thing is…" She glanced at Christian. "You two seem so… different. Like you're from completely different worlds."

"Or maybe," Christian said with a slow smile, pulling me closer, "you just never knew her true worth."

My throat burned, tears threatening to spill as I remembered Elise's exact words that no one would ever want me. She definitely hadn't expected me to be "wanted" by someone like Christian. A rich, handsome man. Sure, it was all fake, but she would never know that.

"Do you want to dance?" he asked, his eyes locked on mine, as if he could tell I needed rescuing. "Of course."

Christian led me to the center of the ballroom, his hands sliding around my waist. From a distance, I saw Elise glaring at us, whispering something to Alex.

"Don't let them get to you," Christian murmured. "You're incredible, Zoey."

A bitter laugh slipped out.

"I'm just a luxury bridal dress saleswoman. And she's one of the most famous PR reps in the country, living the life I always wanted. Traveling, celebrities… Alex…"

Christian looked me straight in the eye, without a hint of pity. "If the life you dreamed of was being a snake married to a cheating idiot, then you seriously need to rethink your goals."

I blinked, stunned by his bluntness. Then, against my will, I felt a smile tugging at my lips.

"You're unbearable."

"But hot," he shot back with a wink.

I laughed, shaking my head.

"Your eyes are shining," he said softly. "It's not happiness but bottled-up anger."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"This tough, unbreakable-woman act must be killing you inside," he murmured. "You didn't deserve to go through that."

A wave of emotion hit me, and I had to fight to keep the tears from falling right there. How could he be so spot-on?

"I don't want to stay here anymore," I whispered.

"I've got a suite reserved here at the hotel. If you want to keep making your investment worthwhile… we can leave this boring party and actually have some fun."

"I'd like that," I said, without hesitation.