MELANIE

Iwatch my sister curl a lock of my hair between her fingers in the mirror, and we both stare at my reflection. Her green eyes, so similar to mine, twinkle with happiness. “You look so pretty, Mel.”

I blow out a breath and glance down at my simple cream dress. “Thanks, Ash.”

She takes a sip of her champagne and giggles. “And Nathan is so handsome.”

“He is,” I admit.

“His brothers too.” She wraps an arm around my waist and rests her head on my shoulder. “Dad would be so proud to walk you down the aisle, you know?”

I place my hand over hers and smile at the image of my father in his tux that I conjure in my mind’s eye. I haven’t told my sister about the contract between Nathan and me. As far as she’s concerned, we had a whirlwind romance and couldn’t wait another day to get married. I couldn’t burden her with the knowledge that our family business is in so much trouble. Perhaps I baby her, but I love her so much, and she deserves all the opportunities our father would have wanted for her.

“Are you sad Ty’s not here?” she asks, breaking my train of thought.

I shove aside a twinge of sorrow and keep my tone bright. “Yeah, but I’ll see him in a few weeks. And you’re videoing the whole thing to send him, right?”

“Of course.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t.”

I laugh, but she doesn’t join in. Instead she spins me around to face her. “Do you love him, Mel?”

“Yes.” I lie with ease. Or perhaps I’m not lying. I know that I could love him if I let myself fall.

Her brow furrows. “Just know that you don’t have to do anything you don’t want. You’re the best person I know, and nothing you do could change how much I love you.”

I blink at her. Does my baby sister suspect that this isn’t the fairytale I’ve tried to portray? Of course she does. She knows me and she isn’t stupid. I take her hand in mine. “I do want to do this, Ash.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.” I nod, and I realize I’m not lying this time. “And I love you too.”

She downs the last of her champagne and wraps me in a hug. “I’m gonna need to hold on to you for at least another five minutes before we go out there and you become Mrs. Nathan James.”

“I’ll always be your Mel.”

“Always, sis.”

Dalton James hands me a glass of Scotch as he sidles up beside me. “Here, you look like you could use one of these.”

I offer him a grateful smile. “I sure could. Thanks.”

“There’s no need to be nervous. Nathan is a good man. He’ll take care of you, and you two will have fine babies.”

I look up into my soon-to-be father-in-law’s gray eyes. There’s a hint of sadness in them, but they’re kind too. And suddenly there’s a lump in my throat. “I wish my dad was here.”

He nods stiffly and takes a sip of his Scotch. “Your father was a good man, Miss Edison.”

“Please call me Mel,” I insist.

He nods. “He would be proud of you, Mel.”

Tears prick at my eyes. I’m not convinced that’s true. What would he think of me marrying Nathan just to secure the success of the business and protect Ashley’s future? Despite my intentions, I’m sure he’d try to talk me out of it. I can almost hear him: Don’t make the same mistakes I did, baby girl. Life is too short not to fall in love.

“Welcome to the family, Mel,” Dalton says, raising his glass in a toast.

“Thank you.” I down the Scotch in one gulp, wincing as it burns my esophagus.

I can see Bryce approaching, and I roll back my shoulders. “Would you mind escorting me to my spot, Mr. James?” I ask before my brother can attempt to take that honor. Not that this is really walking down the aisle, but it’s as close as I’ll ever get.

“Now, if I have to call you Mel, then you gotta call me Dalton,” he says, his eyes twinkling. Then he takes my glass and places it next to his on a nearby table. “And the pleasure would be all mine.” He holds out his arm and I link mine through his.

Together, we make our way to the small archway in the garden outside Nathan’s family home, where the official stands with my husband-to-be. Nathan is wearing a black tux, and I’ve never seen him look more handsome. An unexpected twinge of regret niggles at me, a wish that this was real. I wish he was actually mine.

I push those ridiculous thoughts to the back of my mind and fix a smile on my face. Nathan catches my eye and winks at me, and I remember why I’m doing this. He’s a good man. We’ll have a nice life. And even if we aren’t soulmates, I’m sure we’ll be lovers and good friends. And that’s more than a lot of people get, right?

“Have I told you that dress looks amazing on you, Mrs. James?” Nathan hands me another glass of Scotch. Between his father and his brothers slipping them into my hand every ten minutes, I’m starting to feel woozy.

I look down at my cream silk gown. “Thank you.”

He slips an arm around my waist and pulls me closer. “And I wanted to let you know that you’ve been incredible today. I know this wasn’t the wedding you dreamed of, but we can make it a successful marriage.”

Successful? What does that even mean? I want more than successful, but I swallow that thought down with a mouthful of Scotch.

He presses his lips to my ear, and his warm breath makes me shiver. “You think we should put some music on in here or something?”

I glance over the small gathering that consists of Nathan’s dad, two of his brothers, Bryce, my mother, and Ashley. Not exactly party central.

I snort. “I’m not sure even music could liven up this party.”

His lips move closer until he’s almost nuzzling my neck. “Not even ‘Yeah’ by Usher?”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “You play that, Mr. James, and I’m filing for divorce.”

His eyes darken as they lock on mine. “Actually I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear that song again without being eaten up by jealousy.”

I roll my eyes. “Stop teasing me.”

“I’m not teasing. You’re mine now, and that means all of you. I’ll give you your six months, but then all bets are off.” His voice is deep and low, and it rolls through my bones.

My heart stutters in my chest, but before I can remind him that the six months only relates to baby making, Ashley grabs my arm. “This house is incredible, Mel,” she says excitedly. “Mason just gave me the tour. Please tell me we can spend the holidays here.”

Nathan steps back, and my sister wraps her arm around me, giving me a tight squeeze. “I don’t know, it depends on …” I look to Nathan for an answer.

His eyes are still burning into mine. “We can spend the holidays here, if that’s what you want.”

Ashley squeals, and I’m glad my glass is almost empty when she jumps up and down while holding onto me. “I already picked out my room. Come on, let me show you.” I offer my husband an apologetic shrug as she drags me away, and I swear I can still feel his eyes boring into me even when my back is turned.