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I wonder if it’s Botox, or if she’s simply trained herself to never show weakness. Still, her gaze lingers on the diamond for a moment too long.

“Lucky you,” she murmurs. “West is… unforgettable.”

She doesn’t wait for me to answer, just sweeps out of the room, her floral perfume wafting through the air, as I try to shake the feeling that she just staked some kind of weird claim to my husband.

“Mrs. Abbott?” a voice calls out. For a second I don’t respond, because I completely forget that’s my name.

But then I look up to see a stylist beckoning me over to her station.

I walk over, a weird twist still pulling at my stomach, and she smiles widely at me, then takes my left hand in hers.

“What a beautiful ring,” she coos, staring at the diamond band. “Your husband must adore you.”

I take a breath and let her guide me into the chair, because in ten minutes I’ll find out exactly how he feels when he sees me like this.

twenty-nine

WEST

I check my watch and try not to let out an annoyed sigh. How long can it take an intern to get ready?

I’m itching to get out of this room, to stride over to where Eden is, to see her in that dress that felt like nothing between my fingers when I touched it on the hanger.

Instead, I’m stuck here waiting for Bennett to emerge, because I know Eden will be pissed if I leave without him. It’s like having all the responsibility of being a parent without any of the pleasure of making him.

“Oh hey,” Bennett says, when he finally walks out of the dressing area. He beams at me, like he’s grateful I waited.

I hate being responsible for him. And yet... somehow I am.

“What are you wearing?” I ask him, my eyes narrowing.

“A… suit?”

“On your feet,” I mutter, eyeing the bashed-up sneakers.

“I dunno. It’s Hollywood, right? I want to look cool.”

“It’s the Hamptons,” I point out. “Not a frat party. Do you have another pair of shoes?”

He wrinkles his nose. “Yes,” he says, but I can tell he’s pissed.

“Put them on.”

He rolls his eyes like a teenager, but at least he does as he’s told. He’s back within a minute, and we stride out of the room, heading toward the women’s side of the dressing suites, because dammit, I’ve waited long enough.

“West.”

The voice stops me cold. It’s smooth as silk. I turn slowly, and there she is. Leaning against the gilded doorway like she owns the place. Of courseshe’shere. Because the universe couldn’t let me have one perfect moment without testing me first.

“Selena.” My voice has no emotion.

Bennett looks at her with wide eyes, letting out a low whistle.

“How are you?” she asks me, glancing at my left hand. Her eyes catch the band of gold there, and a small, knowing smile curves her lips. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

“I met your wife,” she says. “She’s beautiful.” She lifts her brows, her eyes dead on mine. “And very young.”