“Umm, yes, of course. Vikki dear, we’re both sorry.”

I shook my head and squared my shoulders as the car came to rest.

“We’re at my office,” Stewart whispered.

“Mom and Randall, I need to go. I obviously went to meet Stewart. He and I have an agreement. Where that leaves the two of you has yet to be determined. Don’t bother me: I won’t bother you. In the meantime, Randall, look both ways before you cross the street. Goodbye.”

My mother’s gasp was the last sound we heard as I hit the red END CALL button.

Though Travis had the door open and the hot, humid Miami air filled the interior of the car, Stewart sat unmoving. “I’m not sure I should leave you right now.”

“I’m fine. As you said, I have many appointments.”

“What about Randall and the money? I promised you I’d pay it. Do you still want that?”

I touched his cheek. “Please, I do. Send Travis to pay it, but as for Randall and Marilyn, I think they can sweat about it for a little while.”

His blue eyes crinkled with small lines as his cheeks rose. “Tonight, Tori. Tonight, I’ll make you forget about all of this, I promise.”

Tori. I smiled. “We’ll see, Mr. Harrington.”

“Yes, we will.”

WHEN SUSAN, MY new personal shopper, finally left the apartment, I collapsed against the sofa and stared out at the ocean. Though the sun was still high, shadows from the tall buildings hid the beach below. It was there, so close, yet out of sight. Out toward the horizon, the late afternoon sunlight shimmered on the waves, creating prisms of color in the distance. The stunning view was hypnotizing. Without realizing it, I found myself lost in the wonder of the glistening hues. How had my life changed so drastically in a mere twenty-four hours?

I recalled my conversation earlier this afternoon with Val. Not surprisingly, she was shocked.

“What the hell, Vik?” Her voice came through my phone, loud and clear.

“I’m getting married Thursday. I know it sounds sudden.” Due to the nondisclosure, I was limited on what I could share.

“Sudden? Oh my God! You went from I have a job offer and I’m staying at some fine-assed hotel to I’m engaged and marrying some old, rich guy.”

“He’s not that old,” I replied defensively.

“I don’t get it.”

“Listen, I can’t say anything to make it make sense. But it’s true, and I want you to be part of it. Will you?”

Val’s voice lost some of its edge. “What do you mean?”

We went on to talk for almost an hour. I had people waiting. I knew I did, but Val was my sister, my connection throughout my life. I needed her to understand. I let her know that this was to be a very small, private wedding; therefore, neither Mom nor Randall was invited to attend. Funny, with all the craziness, the thing that seemed to bother her most was that I wouldn’t be taking my advanced biology final. She more than anyone knew how hard I had studied, how much time and energy I’d devoted to it.

It was one of my top concerns too. Convincing her that it didn’t matter anymore was one of the most difficult lies I’d ever told. Mostly because it did matter: it mattered to me. Closing my eyes, I sighed. I truly was to be Mrs. Stewart Harrington, not Mrs. Victoria Harrington. Victoria would take her exam. The realization increased the tension in my neck, twisting the muscles until I rolled my shoulders for relief.

I was in over my head, and though I wasn’t the one who put me there, ultimately I was the one who signed the contract. Yet while I sat on the white leather sofa, I knew the blame went beyond me. For that reason, I held no regret for not informing Randall or my mother of my decision. I knew Randall’s life was no longer in danger. Could I say the same about mine? What did I truly know about Stewart Harrington?

As I wrestled with my thoughts, Lisa broke my trance. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Miss Conway. I wanted to inquire as to what you’d like for dinner.”

“Will Stewart be home?” Damn, I sounded like some lonely housewife.

“Yes, miss, he will. I just thought if you had a preference…”

Preference? Susan used that word; so had Stewart. Was anything truly my preference?

“Lisa, I honestly can’t even think about food. I’m exhausted, which is funny, because I don’t think I’ve done anything all day.”

“That’s not true.”

I tilted my head with a grin. “You’ve done more for me today than anyone ever has, and then there was Susan, Fritz, and all the other people. I can’t even imagine what tomorrow will entail.”

“Miss, I think you’re overwhelmed. There’s been a lot of change in a short amount of time.”

“I was just thinking,” I said wistfully, “I came here about twenty-four hours ago. I didn’t even know Stewart’s name. Now, we’re getting married. I keep thinking this isn’t real.”

“It’s real, but you need to unwind. I suggest you go to your room and take a nice bath. Mr. Harrington won’t be here for another hour. I’ll discuss dinner with him after he’s home.”

I remembered the large tub in the bathroom off my room. “I think I’d like that.”

She patted my knee. “Then it’s settled. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll let Mr. Harrington know where you are.”

Wearily I stood. “You know what?” I asked rhetorically. “This morning when Stewart said I would be busy all day, I didn’t believe him.”