Page 123 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
“Then we’re good.” Her tone is decisive and clear.
Suddenly, I’m glad Julie’s here too. Although she can be a bit impulsive, she means well. Iris doesn’t have a lot of friends, and it matters that she’s surrounded by people who want the best for her.
“Where’s the star of the evening?” Yuna demands.
“You mean it isn’t me?” I say with a grin.
She pulls up short, then puts a hand on her chest. “You just made a joke.”
“I’m not that bad.” At least, I don’t think so.
And then Iris comes hopping down the stairs. A bright red top and skinny jeans look fantastic on her. But most of all, I’m drawn to the gentle radiance of her expression, the beauty of her soul. No matter how long I live or how many people I meet, I’ll never find a more splendid woman.
“You’re here!” She hugs Yuna and Julie in one big embrace.
“Show us the ring!” Yuna says.
“Yes, the ring!” Julie reaches for Iris’s left hand.
Iris lifts it up, tilting it this way and that. Much squealing ensues.
“Oh my God!” Julie’s eyes widen. “It’s huge!”
“Aww. It’s gorgeous,” Yuna says. “Custom-made, right?”
Iris glances in my direction. I put an arm around her waist and say, “Yup.”
“Who?” Yuna asks.
“Masako Hayashi.”
“A great choice.”
I grin. “I know.”
“Who’s that?” Iris asks.
“One of the best jewelry designers in the world. I think she makes bridal pieces,” Yuna says. “You have to have her do them for your wedding.” She gives me a look. “You’re going to, right?”
“It’s going to be ridiculously expensive,” Iris says.
It’s adorable how she’s worried about things like that. How many times do I have to tell her everything I have is at her disposal? But at the same time, I understand where Iris is coming from. I’ve seen her passion and dedication at the foundation. She sees the poverty and misery of the world, and it’s difficult for her to imagine spending that kind of money on herself. “We can totally do that,” I say. “Then, if you’d like, we can auction the pieces to raise money for charity afterward.”
She looks up at me, her gray eyes shining. “You think so?”
I nod, ignoring the stunned expressions on Yuna and Julie’s faces.
Iris’s shoulders droop slightly. “But who’s going to buy them? I’m not famous or anything.”
“We’ll find a PR angle. My team can come up with something.” They better if they want to keep their jobs. Making my fiancée happy is their new responsibility.
A call from the concierge interrupts us. “Uh…sir? Mr. Blackwood. Uh. There’s…Mr. Ryder Reed here to see you. You know, the actor.”
“I can’t believe I’m not on your approved guest list!” comes his voice in the background.
I roll my eyes. It’s just like him to show his big-ass ego everywhere he goes. He’s probably here to check up on me to make sure I didn’t do something crazy after the dismal and depressing dinner on Friday. Speaking of which, Paige is the one who advised me to go home. I owe her for that. A lot. “Let him up. And his guests, if he has any.” I hang up.
“Who was that?” Iris asks.
