“That does sound weird. What do you suppose she's up to?”
“I dunno, but there's no way she changed her mind like that. She's all about keeping up appearances, and if there was truly some scandal between our families, she'd go through hell to keep it a secret.”
All of this made me nervous. I knew very well how scheming and manipulative Vivian could be to get her way – and to make matters worse, the Carringtons had the money to pull whatever strings they liked.
“So, this dress shopping. Should I go, or you think it's a trap?”
Lana looked at me like I was crazy. I shooed her away, whispering for her to go keep an eye on Cole and mom. Last thing I needed was them eavesdropping on me, as both were fond of doing.
“I don't see how it could be, but then again, she is my mother.” He laughed bitterly. “Maybe she's hoping you don't go. Then she can crow about it to everyone, telling the family what a spoiled and ungrateful woman you are.”
“If that's the case, I'll show up and prove her wrong.”
“There's one more thing I haven't told you yet. Macy knows about the plan. She's the one who suggested the fake marriage. You can trust her.”
“Sure. What's the saying – the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.”
“You're not wrong, but lucky for me that she likes scheming as much as mom does. I'm glad we have her on our side.”
Some guy yelled for Asher's attention. A twinge of sadness hit me at him having to get back to work.
He was not my boyfriend. This relationship wasn't real.
But then why did it feel so real to me?
“Mom said to meet her at Dandy's Bridal on Stark Boulevard, at one. I wish you luck, because you're probably gonna need it.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Aw, you'll be all right. You're a tough woman; that's part of why I've always respected you.”
Moments after he hung up, Lana came outside with good news.
“Score! Cole called that Unitarian place, and they said they're available for most of December. It's a total bargain, too, so aunt Pam is thrilled.” She stared me down. “Whoa, what's the matter with you?”
What was the matter? Asher said too many sweet things, did stuff for me that meant the world, and was generally treating me like his real-life fiancee, not his fake wife-to-be.
I wished I knew what he wanted – simply to get me naked again, or something more? If the latter, then what did I want?
Maybe he did have feelings for me, but it didn't matter when he couldn't stop his playboy ways. That was precisely why I couldn't let myself get too close to him; it would only end in tragedy and tears.
“Sarah, where are you going?”
“Just gotta make a bank deposit.”
She gaped at me as I got in the car. I didn't want to lie to her, but had I said the truth she'd beg to come with me. I couldn't have that.
Right now, there was a maelstrom of emotions spinning in my head, and I needed time to sort them out alone.
Chapter 16 - Sarah
I'd driven past Dandy's Bridal hundreds of times on the way to work. How many minutes had I spent waiting for the light to turn green, passing the time by staring at the happy women inside?
I was jealous of them as they tried on gowns and shoes with their bridesmaids. Such a thing seemed like a distant dream for me, maybe even impossible.
“There she is! We've been waiting forever for you, dear.”
Vivian offered me a thin smile and kept on pawing through the dress rack. I noted that they so happened to be the most expensive ones in the shop.
“Uh, hello, Mrs. Carrington.” I approached slowly as you might a strange dog that could bite at any moment. “Asher told me you wanted to meet me here?”
“Yes, yes.” She held up a dress emblazoned with far too much glitter. “Oh, this would look simply fabulous on you. Don't you think so, Macy?”
Macy hovered in the jewelry section. She seemed more interested in her phone than helping us.
“I guess. Can we do pink for the bridesmaids' dresses? That's my best color.”
Vivian nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, that would be excellent. I have a fuchsia gown that would pair nicely.”
It was surreal. The two of them were carrying on a conversation, making important decisions about the wedding as though I wasn't standing here. What the heck had she even invited me here for?
“Mrs. Carrington,” I said quietly. “With all due respect, I – ”
“None of that, now. Call me Vivian.” She grinned and batted her obviously fake eyelashes. “After all, we'll be family soon. Isn't this exciting? I've always wanted a daughter-in-law.”
Asher had said she'd changed virtually overnight, but this was by far the worst acting performance I'd ever seen. The question was, why bother? That was what I had to find out, for both of our sake.
“Vivian, I have to admit that this place is a bit out of my budget.”
She waved off my comment and thrust a dress into my arms. It had a long, satiny train and a price tag of six hundred dollars.
“Don't you fret about that. Heath and I have decided to pitch in a generous sum so you two can have the wedding you deserve. And Asher has more than enough money to cover anything your heart desires.”
There was suddenly malice in her words and a chill in the air that made me want to flee from the store and not come
