“Sophia has become… very important to me very quickly,” I say. “I felt a connection at the brunch, but things are very new.”
“We kissed for the first time thirty-six hours ago,” Sophia says.
“When were you going to tell me?” Jules says. “Do you like him?”
“I’m standing right here.” I wave at her.
She shoos me away and steps toward Sophia. “We need a debrief. Also, how did a kiss turn into a wedding?”
Sophia glances back at me. I’m not sure what she’s going to say. Does she want me to step in to explain?
I start to speak but Sophia interrupts. I’m more than happy for her to take the lead. “It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision.”
“Are you annulling?” Efa asks, and it’s like someone’s hit me in the stomach with a mallet.
“It just happened late last night,” Sophia says. “We’re here celebrating you two. We both want to focus on that.”
“Awww, I love how you said that,” Jules says. “You both—like you’re a couple. Well, you are. You’re married.” She raises her glass. “Congratulations!”
Byron sidles up to me. “Everything okay?” he asks under his breath.
I nod.
“Sure?”
“Absolutely sure.”
“It’s just… not like you to make a decision like this on the fly.”
I nod. “That’s true.”
He holds my gaze. “Would you tell me if there was something wrong?”
I pull in a breath, considering my response. “Probably. But there isn’t anything wrong.” I glance over at Sophia, who’s talking to Efa and Jules in hushed tones. I know I’m biased, but she’s so fucking beautiful, I ache for her. I can’t wait to get back to New York and have some time with her on our own, without having to sneak around behind our friends’ backs. “I like her,” I say.
“I like my car. I didn’t marry it.”
“Which car?”
He narrows his eyes at me, like he doesn’t understand the question. “I like all my cars.” He tilts his head. “The new Lambo is probably a favorite.”
“Bet you’d marry it if you could.”
He fixes me with a stare.
“What?” I ask. “You started it.”
“My point is, you don’t go around marrying every woman you like.”
“It’s true, I don’t.”
“So, what’s the plan?” he asks.
I catch Bennett’s concerned gaze from where he’s talking with Fisher, Jack, and Leo. They’ve obviously sent Byron in here to figure out what’s going on. Dad’s gone rogue and they don’t know what the fuck to do about it.
“Do I need a plan?” I ask.
“Are you going to get it annulled? Divorce her? At least make her sign something to say she’s not going to take all your money?”