Page 88 of Bitter Heat

He nodded. “I can see that.”

Some of the tension eased out of her. “It’s a special place.”

“We should have the ceremony here.”

She stiffened. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” After they divorced, she would come back here. She didn’t want it cluttered with thoughts of him or their fake wedding.

“Why?” he pushed.

“I’m sure we can find somewhere in the city,” she said.

His examined her for a long moment. “You don’t like me in your space, do you?”

Obviously.

The corner of his mouth curved. “Too fucking bad, princess.”

She let out a growl when he kissed her forehead and slung her laptop bag over his shoulder.

“We’re not having it here, Roth!” she shouted as he strode out of the library.

When he didn’t reply, she hurried after him. He snatched her luggage on his way out the door. Mo took her things from her and put them in the trunk.

“Is that all?” Roth asked her.

“For now, but—”

“Get in.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but he slipped into the car and slammed the door. She rushed around to her side and climbed in.

“We shouldn’t have a wedding. Dad just passed and now this? It’s gonna look…” She searched for the right word. “Tacky!”

“Getting cold feet, Jasmine?”

She twisted her hands in her lap. “I don’t want to make a fuss about this.”

“You never liked being the center of attention, did you?” He shook his head. “You have no choice. We’re having a wedding, and your family will be present. You’ll wear a gown fit for a Hennessy, and the backdrop is going to be one only the elite would recognize. Tuxedo Park… Old money, exclusive, private. A picture is worth a thousand words, and our wedding photo will be better than any statement either of us could give.”

She understood even though she wished she didn’t. Her mind skittered in a dozen directions.

“Get Daiyu to make your dress.”

Her mouth sagged open.

“She said she’d be willing to dress you for any event.”

Instantly, her mind went to the dreamy gown on the mannequin. It was breathtaking but not for her. It wouldn’t be right to claim that dress for a fake wedding… “I’ll find something.”

“If you don’t call her, I will.”

She scowled. “Don’t I get to pick my own dress?”

“Not if you’re going to wear black.”

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