“What do you say, my sweet puck,” he whispers into my ear. “Shall we show them the happiest newlyweds in Boston?”
“Should I worry about my parents?” I ask.
“My mother will take care of them. She is an excellent hostess.”
“The guests look content.”
And with that, we’re off making the rounds. We flit from conversation to conversation. He is always beside me, and he only drops my hand to shake hands with other guests.
Everyone adores him. He is the star of every conversation he joins.
“My new son!” A large man in a blue suit slaps me on the back. “Nice to finally meet you.”
“Dad, this is my husband,” Finn says.
My father-in-law shakes my hand heartily. “We can always use anotherCarrington.”
“Noah hasn’t changed his last name.”
“Why the hell not?” His father’s voice booms. “Let me tell you about the Carringtons, Noah. We came over on the Mayflower. We’ve been doing great things ever since.”
“That’s...cool.”
Noah’s father grins and pokes me in the chest. “And that’s an understatement.”
Noah’s father wanders away.
“See...” Finn says. “They’re nice.”
“Yeah.” I laugh. “I can see where you get your dynamism.”
“I’m a shrinking violet next to my dad,” Finn says.
We stare into each other’s eyes, and I’m only vaguely aware of the clink of plates and glasses as guests munch on canapes and drink champagne.
I don’t have to work hard to pretend to adore him, and my only worry is that he’ll be able to tell tomorrow whenever photos are released how much I like him.
I spot a floral dress in the distance, then Daniela glides toward me. A few of the older men shoot her appreciative glances.Huh.I suppose she’s attractive. She wouldn’t look out of place on a movie poster, if younger Margot Robbies are your thing.
Daniela’s blonde hair is pulled into a French twist, and she flashes me a smile. “I’ve set up one of the bedrooms as an interview room. Ready for interviews?”
“As in plural interviews?” I jerk my gaze toward Finn.
He must see the alarm on my face and be concerned, because he squeezes my hand. “We didn’t know there would be sit down interviews.”
“Would you prefer to interview each day for the next two weeks in your lunch break?” Daniela laughs, but her face sobers when she sees our expression.
“Of course not. But how many interviewers are there?” Finn asks.
“Don’t worry, they’ll each get fifteen minutes with you.”
“Okay.” Finn touches his tie, and his hand wobbles.
I don’t often see Finn nervous, but he is nervous now.
Will the journalists be able to see through our charade? What will happen if we’re not successful?
Because one thing is convincing our parents and their friends that we are meant to be together. Our parents aren’t accustomed to seeing the worst in us, and because of that we’re lucky, but isn’t it journalists’ job to sensationalize everything?
