“When did you get so shy?” I ask playfully, and she flicks her brow with a sexy grin. I growl inwardly. How much longer before I can get her out of that dress?
“I can’t be shy anymore. My name’s all over the fashion news circuit. My L.A. office has already been getting a ton of calls from retailers who want to carry the new line. It’s crazy.”
“No, it’s not. That makes complete sense.” I want to ask her if she’s feeling better since the incident with that bloody wanker last night. But I don’t want to ruin the mood. I don’t want her to stop smiling.
“So where is this wedding anyway?” she asks.
“Westminster Abbey,” I say with a downplayed tone, but it’s no use.
Kate’s jaw drops. “West—Westminster Abbey? As in where the Duke and Duchess were married?” she asks, and I nod, leaning back into the leather seats and resisting the urge to make a face. “Will the Duke and Duchess be attending?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Whoa. Are you a secret royal too? Should I start calling you Prince Charming?”
“No.” I shake my head. Thank God for that.
Her pretty eyes grow worried. “Geez, I’m glad I wore this hat.” I glance up at the ornate piece on her head, then look down at her long lashes and pink cheeks. I kiss the tip of her nose, then her rosy red lips.
We arrive just as the esteemed guests are filling in with cameras flashing all around them. Kate gawks out the window,mesmerized. “Oh, my God. Is that Geoff Sterling?” She points to the British movie star sporting a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses.
“Yeah. Mick did his father’s triple bypass last year.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said this would be a circus.” Kate presses her nose to the window as we wait for the crowd to disperse so we can pull up.
My phone vibrates against my thigh, and I check the alert.
KENT
Where are you? Find me asap! We’ve got a big problem.
Big problem? What does that mean?
DREW
I’m pulling up now.
“We’ll get out here,” I tell the driver, feeling a sense of urgency, even though Kent’s likely being dramatic. He’s taken his role as best man very seriously.
Clouds roll in overhead, and a cool breeze whips through us as we step out of the car. Kate and I circumvent the crowd and cameras and make our way inside the majestic church. Angelic chamber music fills the room as the guests fill the pews.
“Let’s find your seat,” I say, passing the ushers and peering around the room. As we make our way near the front, we come face-to-face with my father and his overpowering presence. My chest tightens.
He darts a glance at Kate, then lends a half-smile. “Andrew, you’re on time, and you have a date.” Before I can say anything, his attention shifts to my lady in red. “Dean Bonnaire. I’m Andrew’s father,” he says, offering his hand.
“Bonnaire? As in Bonnaire Capital?” Kate asks with a rigid line down her forehead. How does she . . . ?
Uh-oh.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m the head of Bonnaire Enterprises.”
Kate’s stare burns into me, and not in the passionate way I’m used to. “I thought your last name was Blake.”
My dad scoffs. “That’s his middle name. For some reason, my son likes to pretend he’s not a Bonnaire.”
My face grows hot with every second that Kate looks at me with the pain of betrayal. I thought she didn’t know about my family, so why does my last name make a difference? I’m Just Drew. “Does that matter?” I reply.
“Of course it matters,” My father chimes again. “And you are, Miss?”