Chapter 2

I wasn't embarrassed in the slightest.

Ignoring the stream of insults in the comments, I walked straight over and hooked my arm through Luke's.

"Luke. You really came here to marry me?"

Every muscle in his body locked up, and the "Yes" he managed sounded like it had been dragged out of his throat.

He was so nervous he didn't know what to do with his hands, and I couldn't help laughing.

Ava leaned out from behind Mom, and there was something delicately vicious in her voice.

"So Sophie really does have a thing for scholarship kids. You two actually suit each other."

The good wishes were so backhanded that even Mom and Dad caught it.

Mom, terrified that Ava would set me off when I'd finally been agreeable for once, tugged at her arm.

Ava took the hint and offered an explanation she didn't bother to mean.

"Sorry, Sophie. I'm just jealous that you've found a relationship of your own."

She leaned on "your own" like she was underlining it.

I understood her perfectly.

She was showing off.

Because her thinking matched the comments exactly. Even if she didn't want the scholarship kid, he'd recognize her sooner or later.

And I was nothing but a thief.

My smile thinned a little, and my hand tightened on Luke's arm.

He felt the change in me.

His brow creased, and without making anything of it, he stepped half a pace forward and put himself between me and my sister.

Ava only gave a cold little laugh and turned to watch the door, waiting for the Sterlings.

When Miles Sterling walked in, Ava practically threw herself at him.

He wore a tailored suit and a watch worth more than most people make in a year. He looked exactly like what people picture when they hear the words old money.

The comments groaned.

[Why is our girl so excited about Miles? This is wrong!]

[Miles is from a side branch and he's a spoiled brat. He has nothing to do with Sterling Holdings. Turn around and look at the hero!]

[If somebody doesn't fix this soon, the villain is going to walk off with everything!]

[Wait, look. I think Miles just recognized him! Say it now, say who he really is, and she'll turn around!]

I looked up.

Miles crossed the room with a serious expression, opened his mouth to say something, and then Luke gave the smallest shake of his head.

Miles stopped as if somebody had nailed his shoes to the floor.

Ava had been watching him too closely to miss it. She looked at Luke, then back at Miles.

"Miles, do you know him?"

Luke spoke first, before Miles could say anything he shouldn't.

"Mr. Sterling and I have met once."

The disdain in Ava's eyes deepened, and she made sure her meaning landed.

"Really? Well, Miles is a Sterling. Plenty of people would love to get close to him. Miles, you're too polite for your own good."

Miles cut her off, visibly uncomfortable.

"That's enough. Richard, Diane, weren't we here to talk about the engagement?"

Ava sulked at being interrupted, then brightened the moment she heard the word.

Mom and Dad were smiling too.

"We'll set the engagement party for the eighteenth of next month," Dad said. "We've already reserved the largest ballroom at the Grand Peninsula."

"Everyone who matters in this city will get an invitation," Mom added. "Neither family is going to be embarrassed."

Ava's eyes slid over to me, where I'd been standing quietly all this time.

"Mom, Dad, what about Sophie's engagement party?"

Mom and Dad glanced at me, then at the plainly dressed young man beside me, and their patience thinned.

"Your sister came home late and she doesn't know many people. We'll use that restaurant on the north side. Three tables should cover it.

"You don't mind, do you?"

The comments filled up with laughter.

[The villain got exactly what she deserved. Three tables in some diner! Our girl absolutely destroyed her!]

[The hero didn't even speak up for her. He must think she doesn't deserve anything better either.]

I glanced at Luke.

His head was down. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"It's fine. As long as I'm with Luke, I don't care what the engagement party looks like."

Luke finally looked up.

I smiled at him and gave his left hand a little swing.

He stared at me, lost for a moment, and then something settled in his face, like he'd made a decision.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster. I won't let her be humiliated. I'll give her the best I have."

Ava covered her mouth and laughed, not hiding the mockery at all.

"You're such a good man, Luke. Sophie, you're so lucky. I hope you have an unforgettable engagement party in your little diner."