Page 2 of Always Knew It Was You

“Polyester?” she squeaked, her face twisting in dramatic horror. “You were going to wear polyester to a ball?” Her voice cracked at the end, and her tone made me feel like I committed a grievous sin. I shared a look with Emma.

“Yeah?” Emma answered weakly. She glanced down at one of the dresses we’d bought from the boutique in Bayview, the fancy one that smelled like eucalyptus and leather. “Is that bad?”

I didn’t think it was bad. Like me, Emma grew up in the small town of Laketown where everyone was dressed pretty lowkey even for fancy events. Although Emma was about to marry an honest-to-God billionaire, and had bodyguards following her around now, her down-to-earth nature hasn’t changed. And I loved her for it.

But Rachel’s face reddened and she shuddered nearly catatonically.

“Are you kidding?” She looked between the two of us and then shook her head. “Absolutely not. Come.” And then she’d spun on her heel walking away, giving us no choice but to follow.

In the end, Rachel drove us from Emma’s house back to the boutique in Bayview. We tried on outfit after outfit, and then when she wasn’t satisfied with any of them, she had some dresses flown in from her own collection. Eventually, she decided on my dress and Emma’s red flare dress that made her look like an actual princess, especially standing across the hall next to her prince of a fiancé.

Declan is the new owner of the Pink Hotel and is the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. His face is usually set in a straight scowl until he looks down at Emma. Then he would smile and softness would fill his eyes.

Like now.

He’s staring down at Emma while she speaks passionately, gesturing with her hands. A few paces away from them, two suited men stand, trying to blend in with the wallpaper. And they do succeed partially, because I barely notice Emma’s bodyguards half the time. It’s so interesting how inconspicuous two large, threatening men can be.

Almost reluctantly, my gaze is drawn to another man standing next to Declan, a man who I very much should not be looking at but who has held my attention all night. Even in a room full of polished diamonds, he shines the brightest.

I tear my attention away from them and back to my companions.

“Sorry,” I say. “I had no clue. It was a gift from a friend.”

“Oh…” they all chorus.

“What friend?” V asks. Then she follows my staring path to Emma and one finger delicately unwraps from her champagne glass to point. “Any of the people over there?”

“Both of them actually,” I respond. While I wouldn’t say Declan and I are friends exactly–it’s hard to be friends with a man as intimidating as he is–we’re on friendly terms. My cousin had been partially involved in the kidnapping of Declan’s daughter a few months ago, but Declan actually reassured me that he didn’t hold it against me.

“I know how important you are to Emma,” he told me during the fall fair after he’d just proposed to her. “And I want you to know that I value and respect your friendship. Whatever Nate did, doesn’t change that.”

I was both stunned and relieved to hear it. Maybe that was why he didn’t press charges on my cousin, although Nate was still facing state charges. And so was Rick, my former boss and a man who was like a father to Emma. He’d been one of the masterminds behind the whole kidnapping, and that very fact broke Emma’s heart.

Regardless, while I wouldn’t call Declan my friend, he still ranks pretty high in my book. And Emma…well, she’s been my best and only friend since I was ten and she was twelve.

It started when she found me crying behind the church parking lot after my mother made a scene at church. Emma convinced me to come home with her and though I knew my mother would be mad, I went anyway. Emma had always seemed nice and I wanted to be around her and her sweet, funny grandpa, who were such a contrast to my tumultuous family.

Her home was as warm and welcoming as I imagined, and her grandpa made us hot chocolate and then took us fishing later that evening before driving me home. My mom yelled at me some more when I got home, but it was worth it for the brief reprieve at Emma’s place.

And it wasn’t the last time family drama drove me to seek refuge in her home. Emma always let me stay, no questions asked, and for that I’m forever grateful.

V nods at my response. “Ah. Well, I know the dress can’t be from Declan Tudor since we recently discovered his engagement to the cute country girl.” I frown at her description as she continues, “So it would have to be Micah.”

“You’re friends with Micah Landing?” Cherise asks.

“How do you know it’s Micah standing next to them? He’s wearing a mask,” the quiet brunette says.

“Oh, please.” V is still staring at Micah, her lips twisting. “I would know that frame anywhere.”

I glance back to where Micah stands engaged in a discussion with Declan’s father. I’ve been trying all night not to look at the man because looking at him makes me vaguely breathless. No man has a right to be that good-looking even with a black mask covering half their face. But Micah is.

He’s about the same height as Declan, if an inch shorter, and instead of dark hair, he has red hair, combed into curls falling around his face. He’s dressed in an all-black suit, with navy-blue trimming on the jacket and an expensive-looking watch casually dancing on his wrist. His hands are in his pocket, his broad shoulders completely at ease, even though I know I’m not the only one staring at him.

Every time I look at him, I notice at least one other person doing the same, usually someone of the female variety. But Micah doesn’t seem to notice or care.

He’s probably used to being the center of attention.

I’ve never actually had a conversation with him, but I’ve overheard him talking to Declan and flirting with Emma’s other best friend, Tate, so I figure I have a pretty good read on his personality. Wealthy handsome playboy who is accustomed to having beautiful women throw themselves at him. A man who flirted as easily as he breathed. The kind of man who treated women like used panties and never even thought about them after the night was over.

---