Page 104 of Pretend To Be Mine

“I did. Saw them and thought of you.” I came up behind her, looking at her reflection in the mirror. “I wanted tonight to be special.”

“Why?”

“Because I made us a reservation at Le Grand Véfour. It’s supposed to be incredible.”

“Le Grand Véfour?” She spun to face me. “Adrian, that’s a really nice place. How did you get a reservation?”

“You can get anything if you’re willing to pay enough.” I smiled at her shock. “Get dressed. We have a seven o’clock reservation, and Paris traffic is terrible.”

She laughed. “I can’t even be upset about Paris traffic. It’s Paris. I can’t believe we’re in Paris.”

“We are. Go shower. Get ready.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She disappeared into the bathroom with a bright smile on her face. I was so glad she was smiling instead of crying.

34

ELIZABETH

Istepped out of the bathroom and froze when I saw Adrian’s expression.

He was standing by the window, already dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that made him look like he stepped out of a magazine. But the way he was looking at me—like I’d stolen the breath from his lungs—made my heart stutter.

“Elizabeth.” My name came out rough. “That dress is perfect on you.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. I glanced down at the burgundy dress, smoothing my hands over the fabric. “You think so?”

“I know so.” He crossed to me in three strides, his hands gentle on my bare shoulders. “You’re going to be the most beautiful woman in Paris tonight.”

“That’s a bold claim in a city full of French women.”

“I stand by it.”

I turned to look in the mirror and barely recognize myself. The dress fit like it was made for me, the deep burgundy bringing out the gold in my hair. The earrings caught the light.

I looked like I belonged in Adrian’s world.

The thought should terrify me. Instead, it filled me with a strange kind of peace.

“Ready?” Adrian offered his arm.

“Ready.”

We took the elevator down to the lobby. I was acutely aware of his hand in the small of my back.

The elevator doors opened and we stepped into the grand lobby of the hotel.

And every single person turned to look at us.

I heard the whispers immediately. Not loud enough to make out words, but the tone was unmistakable. Recognition. Speculation. Interest.

A year ago this would have sent me into a panic. I would have wanted to shrink into myself and disappear. But tonight, with Adrian at my side, I didn’t care.

Let them look. Let them whisper.