Chapter 16

Arriving at the church a half hour before the ceremony, Darcy stepped out of the taxi into the slightly warmer and drier southern California air, clutching her purse in one hand and Victor’s arm with the other. The air smelled like perfume and smog, an elixir of the rich and shameless. Skinny palm trees flanked the ancient cathedral, their leaves fanning the spires.

After climbing the dozen stone steps, they entered a hallow room full of stain glass windows refracting the afternoon light into jewel-tones.

She gasped, marveling at the majestic space. As she recalled her own wedding, a pinch of resentment hurt her chest. Her parents’ backyard seemed so paltry next to the domed ceiling set with stained glass depicting God surrounded by several angels in a cloudless, cerulean blue sky. The altar dripped with lavish bouquets of roses and gardenias, the fragrant scent overpowering the dusty air. She remembered how her eyes itched from the freshly mown lawn, threatening to ruin her mascara.

Taking a seat on the groom’s side, she searched for Joyce who was part of the wedding party. Instead, she found Nathan standing tall beside the altar, his hands clasped in front of his thighs, a bemused smile playing at the corners of his lips. She shuddered, hoping he had not noticed her. A pang of longing for the past squeezed her. When had he looked so devilishly handsome?

“Are you all right?” Victor scrunched his face.

“I’m jealous.” She fanned her cheeks with a nervous hand. “They spent a fortune.”

He squeezed her arm. “The more they spend, the quicker they divorce.”

A slight smile raised her lips. How did he know what to say to cheer her heart? she wondered.

From a balcony, a choir of men and women dressed in white robes rose.

The conductor flicked his wrist.

The organist played the “Bridal Chorus.”

A bevy of ethereal voices echoed the tune until the whole cathedral hummed.

They sound like heaven’s blessing, she thought. At her wedding, she was stuck with a lousy record that skipped every few chords. She opened her purse and clenched a tissue.

Twelve women wearing either blue or gold dresses wove their arms with twelve men dressed in black tuxedos with matching blue or gold bow ties. They synchronized their steps to the beat of the music, their faces plastered with tight smiles.

At the very end, Joyce linked arms with Tyler. The two sashayed up the aisle, sporting their best grins.

“She’s unhappy.” Darcy touched Victor’s elbow. “When she’s happy, her smile is crooked.”

He squinted at the couple without saying a word.

The organist belted out the “Bridal Chorus” in high octane volume.

The guests rose.

Darcy strained to see over the heads and shoulders of the other guests as Tanya stepped out with her father. She widened her eyes at Tanya’s gorgeous, strapless white gown with a heart-shaped neckline and tulip-shaped skirt. With her palms sweaty with envy, she felt her heart knock against her ribs. Leaning toward Victor, she hissed. “Who spends their life’s savings on a wedding dress?”

Victor shrugged. “The same people who file for divorce six months later.”

At the altar when Tanya’s father lifted the veil to kiss her cheek, she beamed with her perfectly made-up face.

Darcy sat and rearranged her skirts, a knot of anger seizing her chest. Averting her gaze, she stared at the crucifix, unable to witness her ex-husband’s expectant gaze at his soon-to-be wife.

“Are you okay?” Victor clutched her hand.

She shrugged, dabbing the corners of her eyes with the tissue. “I’m not sad Nathan never loved me like he loves Tanya. I’m sad because no one will ever love me enough to spend the type of money he’s spent on her.”

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he tugged her close. “One day is not a lifetime.”

Feeling his hot breath and soft lips against her ear, she shivered.

With his other hand, he cupped her fingers. “They’ll never afford a dream home with what they’ve spent on this wedding.”

Smiling, she leaned closer. “I can’t afford a dream home.”

“Maybe someday the man of your dreams will.” He winked, releasing her hand.

A flash of hope zipped through her. Someday, she thought. Settling against the pew, she silently knotted her hands in her lap. As she watched her ex-husband pledge his undying love to the woman who stole him from her years ago, Darcy wished Victor was more than her pretend date. She wanted their relationship to be real, as real as the forever kiss of the bride and groom beneath the heavenly gaze of the stained-glass dome.

****

The Imperial Ballroom of the Empire Luxury Estates opened to a balcony with views of Los Angeles. Against the setting sun, the glittering blue and silver of the Pacific Ocean dazzled to the west, and to the east, a layer of smog draped over the shoulders of the San Gabriel Mountains. Skyscrapers lifted their steel gaze above the arteries of highways bleeding through neighborhoods of red Spanish-tiled roofs, stately palm trees, and rectangular swimming pools. The beauty of the overpopulated, self-centered metropolis always took away Darcy’s breath, leaving her brokenhearted.

Nathan and Tanya stood at the foot of a marble fountain, greeting guests during the wedding reception.

Victor nudged Darcy. “They look like dolls.”

Darcy winced. She hated how Nathan hadn’t aged and neither had his beautiful bride. Their Malibu tans glowed against their beach-blond hair and whitened smiles. “He’s still body building,” she whispered.

“How can you tell?”

“Just look at the way his biceps tug against the sleeves of his tux.”

He sipped from a glass of sparkling water and nodded. “You’re very observant.”

“I remember his body.” At the distant memory of his strong arms around her waist, she smiled.

Victor frowned. “I’ve been in a long-term relationship, and I wouldn’t remember my ex-girlfriend’s arms if you pointed them out in a lineup.”

Laughing, she wished she had a glass of wine to take off the edge from the suffering.

“Okay, time to introduce me.” He offered his arm.

They waited behind another couple who kept leaning together and whispering.

“I feel so awkward.” She wrung her hands.

“Don’t be.” He kissed her forehead. “We’re having fun pretending to be a couple.”

When he noticed Darcy, Nathan widened his gaze. “Well, well, well, I’m impressed. You actually showed up.” He glanced at Victor and stepped back a foot. “I see you bought an escort. How much did he cost?”

Curling her fists, she flushed. “Don’t insult my boyfriend, Victor Costello.”

Victor shook Nathan’s hand.

“Who do you play on TV?” Nathan asked.

“I’m not an actor. I practice law in Northern California. I protect and defend families torn apart by divorce.”

Nathan yanked away his hand. “Ah, the divorce attorney and the divorce planner. Two predators feeding off poor victims of love went wrong.” He sneered. “Business must be booming.”

The bride flounced forward, throwing her arms around Victor for a hug. “I’m Tanya.”

Victor untangled her arms from around his neck and stepped aside. “Nice to meet you. I heard you were the nanny at one time.”

“I’m officially the stepmom now.” She grinned and nodded toward Darcy. “Nice to see you again.”

Darcy snarled, extending her hand. How dare she make a move on my current date, she thought.

Tanya sidled away from Darcy and ogled Victor. “You’re very young.”

Victor turned to Darcy and planted a kiss on her lips. “She keeps me feeling younger than I am. Don’t you, sweetheart?”

The moisture of the kiss tingled Darcy’s lips. She tilted her head toward Victor and smiled. “Playful, isn’t he?”

Tanya did not respond to Darcy’s comment and just stared at Victor.

A bristle of annoyance and frustration rippled up her spine. She touched Victor’s lapel, eager to extract them from this rude and humiliating experience. “We should find our table and introduce you to the rest of the guests.”

Victor laced his fingers through Darcy’s hand. “Congratulations.” He nodded to Tanya and Nathan. “We hope you have a long and happy marriage.”

Tanya’s gaze followed Victor.

Nathan tugged Tanya by the hand and redirected her attention to the next couple who wanted to congratulate them.

As soon as they strode far enough away, Victor exhaled. “No wonder you didn’t want to come. That ex-husband is a jerk. His wife isn’t any better.” He shuddered. “I feel violated by the way she mauled me with her gaze.”

Darcy sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you about the shallowness of LA. Everyone only cares about your looks, your income, the neighborhood where you live, what you drive, and where you vacation. We paid our respects. We can eat and leave before they cut the cake, if you want.”

“No, I want to stay to the bitter end and torture them.” He narrowed his gaze and clasped his hands. “No one treats me like eye candy. And no one treats you like an over-the-hill hag. I’m a smart man. And you’re a beautiful woman. No reason exists why we shouldn’t be together.”

She wiped sweaty palms on her dress. “But we’re not together.”

“Nobody knows we’re not a couple. Our job is to make them believe the unbelievable.” He patted his breast pocket. “We have to up our game. Lengthen the time of our relationship from three months to three years when people ask. And we’re not just a couple. We’re living together. In the Tuscany villa you wanted to own. I bought it for you as a promise gift.”

“No way.” Frowning, she shook her head. “I’m not outright lying to these people.”

He pouted. “Why not?”

“They might come up to Sonoma County and visit. Then what will we do? Rent Gary’s house for the day?”

He opened his arms. “Let’s up the passion between us. Make them swoon with jealousy. Especially your ex-husband’s wife.”

With the thought, she melted. “Okay, we can do that.”

“Let’s practice.” He drew her close and placed his lips on her mouth. His kisses started tentatively and grew more eager. Parting his lips, he slipped his tongue into her mouth.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her curves into his tight body, braiding her fingers through his thick hair. She closed her eyes, forgetting everything until someone called her name. Untangling her body from his, she stepped back to search for the caller.

As she darted across the room, Joyce waved. “Mom, was that you kissing your date?” She wore a beautiful midnight blue gown which contrasted with her pale skin and blond hair.

“Yes.” She tugged him close. “This is my boyfriend, Victor Costello.”

“Boyfriend?” Joyce widened her eyes. “I thought you both just started dating.”

“Your mother didn’t want to alarm you about the seriousness of our relationship.” He winked. “We’re inseparable.”

Joyce crossed her arms under her chest. “That’s not all my mom neglected to tell me. She didn’t mention you were younger.”

She’s just as rude as everyone else here, she thought. Embarrassment flushed her face. “He’s not that young.”

He stood straighter and shook Joyce’s hand. “I’m thirty-seven.”

“I’m twenty-eight,” Joyce said. “You’re only nine years older than me. You could be my brother, and not my father.”

“Thank goodness, he’s neither one,” Darcy said. Oh, couldn’t they talk about something else? Who cared if he was thirty-seven or forty-seven or fifty-seven?

Tyler emerged from the crowd and approached. Recognition sparkled in his eyes. “Vic! It is you.”

For a moment, Victor frowned before he brightened. “Ty Gustafson, the long jump giant.”

“That’s right. Go Spartans!”

They embraced and patted each other’s backs.

Darcy clasped her hands over her chest. What else did she not know about him which she should know as his girlfriend? “I thought you said you attended Stanford Law School.”

“I did,” Victor said, “but I earned my bachelor’s degree from San Jose State.”

Joyce shook her head. “You guys know each other?”

“We’re like long-lost brothers.” Tyler wrapped an arm around Victor’s shoulders.

“Why don’t we go to the bar and catch up?” Victor asked.

“Now you’re talking,” Tyler said.

“Wait.” Joyce stepped between them. “Tyler, you said you gave up drinking.”

“I—I—have,” he stammered. “Vic and I will get iced teas. Do you want anything?”

“No, thank you.” Joyce stepped aside.

What did she expect? Darcy felt her smile topple into a frown. For Victor to stay by her side and tell Tyler they could catch up some other time? She smoothed her hands over her dress. Of course, she did.

“Mom, your boyfriend’s not good for my fiancé.” Joyce crossed her arms over her chest and frowned.

Darcy touched her daughter’s elbow. They walked away from the crowd and stood next to the goldenrod wallpapered wall. Across the room, a pianist played. Servers wove in and out of the guests, offering appetizers. “Tyler’s his own man. He can make his own decisions. Victor won’t influence him.”

Joyce snickered. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re dating a guy who needs a mother.”

Would someone guess the truth? She stiffened her shoulders. “Victor’s an old soul with great fashion sense. He insisted I wear this dress instead of the gold one. He didn’t want me looking like a disco dancer.”

She pinched her eyebrows and lifted her arms. “A disco what?”

“Exactly.” Darcy nodded.

Staring at her mother, she grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I’m sorry about what happened last week. I think I overreacted when I learned I lost my wedding venue. I shouldn’t have lashed out the way I did. Can you please forgive me?”

Tenderness flooded her chest. She opened her arms. “Of course, I forgive you.” She pulled her daughter into an embrace. “I just wanted a little respect.”

Joyce sniffed. “I’ll try harder to be more respectful.”

“Good.” Darcy smiled. “Now, I have some ideas for a new venue. The Grand Oak Plaza in Rohnert Park has a wonderful ballroom for the reception. Or we can reserve space at Foxtail Golf Club.”

“Dad suggested we move the venue to LA.” Joyce glanced around the room. “Maybe even this place.”

She bit her lower lip and shrugged. “Okay, but if that’s your decision then I’m soliciting help from my friend, Gloria, who lives and works as a wedding planner in southern California. She can negotiate better prices than I can.”

Lifting her arms, Joyce widened her eyes. “I don’t want anyone else helping me.” She pointed. “Just you.”

She narrowed her gaze. “You’re still stubborn.”

Tilting her head, Joyce shook her finger. “But I’m not disrespectful.”

Darcy hugged her daughter. “I’m so happy to see you again.”

Joyce squeezed her mom. “Me, too.”

Darcy wondered how long their happiness would last.

****

Twenty minutes later, Tyler and Victor whooped and hollered as they loped into the ballroom like dogs off their leashes. Darcy linked arms and led Victor aside. “You’ve been drinking something stronger than iced tea.”

“Don’t tell Joyce, but we both had Long Islands.” Victor snickered, slumping his shoulders. “So, technically, he didn’t lie.”

“Hmmm…I can see why my daughter thinks you’re a bad influence.” She placed her hands akimbo. “As for me, I’m just disappointed you didn’t bring me a gin martini.”

“I didn’t want you to get in trouble with your daughter,” he said. “But I can bring you a Long Island on my next trip.”

“Looks like you and Tyler won’t be making another trip.” She pointed across the room. “They’ve taken seats at the head table.”

“Let’s mingle.” He gestured around the room. “I want to impress everyone.”

Arm in arm, Darcy and Victor strolled around the ballroom. Each time Darcy introduced Victor she received the same response. “He’s so young!” She cringed, the words grating like nails against a chalkboard. No one seemed immune to the reaction, including Joyce’s first grade teacher.

“The age difference is preposterous,” Ms. Steele said. “He’s young enough to be your son.”

“I have great genetics.” He winked. “I’m closer to forty than I look.”

Ms. Steele harrumphed. “You can maul any cougar in this room.”

Without saying a word, Darcy tightened her smile.

Victor brought Ms. Steele’s hand to his lips.

Ms. Steele’s face flushed as pink as her dress. “You’re too young to be a gentleman.”

Releasing her hand, he smiled. “My motto is never too young and always a gentleman.”

How overplayed. She shuddered. Oh, how she wished she’d stayed home. She tugged on Victor’s sleeve. Stepping away from the crowd, she frowned. “We should leave.”

He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “Let’s have a seat. They’re serving dinner. Then we’ll leave.”

She traipsed after Victor to their assigned seating.

Three other couples occupied their table: John, an engineering friend of Nathan’s, and his wife, Melissa; Georgia, a stylist friend of Tanya’s, and her husband, Nick; and Mark and Cathy, Joyce’s childhood friends, who married last summer.

“It’s nice to finally meet my girlfriend’s family and friends.” Victor nodded and smiled.

John, a hefty older man with a gray beard, set down his iced water and gave Victor the once-over. “You’re not bad,” he said. “Darcy always had a thing for good-looking men like Nathan.”

How dare he compare Victor to Nathan! Wringing the napkin in her lap, Darcy squirmed. “Nathan was an inventor. He thought.”

Victor curled a hand over her fist. “I’m a thinker and not a looker.”

Georgia, a reedy woman with a coif of complicated looking hair, giggled. “You only look like you think.”

“See?” John chuckled. “People don’t change.”

Victor tensed his jaw.

Forcing a smile, Darcy leaned forward. “Victor’s law firm nominated him for partner, but he’s starting his own business.”

“Really?” John crossed both arms over his chest. “The whole self-employment gig is so overrated. Look what it got Nathan. Years of spousal support instead.”

Oh, really? The comparisons continued. Darcy needed to think quickly and slay the man in his tracks. She arched an eyebrow. “If Nathan had been successful, he would have paid me.” She stroked Victor’s upper arm. “My boyfriend is the most celebrated divorce attorney in Sonoma County. If we break up, I’ll receive palimony.”

Smiling, Victor patted her hand. “Darcy’s right. I owe her everything. She’s so supportive she convinced me to recruit top talent and pay them accordingly.”

“But think of all the overhead.” Georgia speared a tomato in her salad. “That’s why I’m mobile. I bring my clothes, shoes, and hair products to the client. The process saves me tons in rent. The only downside to working on location is if I forget something. But that’s what assistants are for—stocking your car with the things you keep forgetting so you never forget them anymore.”

Mark, a stocky man with round glasses, picked up a water pitcher and nodded toward Victor. “Didn’t you earn your degree online?”

Frowning, Darcy extended her glass so Mark could refill the water and floating lemons. “Who gave you wrong information?”

Mark did not reply. He stared at Victor.

“I graduated magna cum laude from Stanford.” Victor straightened his tie and tugged his lips into a line.

John leaned back in his chair and wrapped an arm around his wife’s plump shoulders. “Don’t worry, honey, that’s just a fancy phrase for someone who wants praise.”

Darcy swiveled her gaze toward the head table, wondering if Nathan organized the seating arrangements specifically to humiliate her and her date.

“Ah, you know Latin.” Victor raised his glass for a toast. “Barba tenus sapientes.”

John lifted his eyebrows and glanced around the crowded room.

Darcy placed the napkin over her mouth to hide a snicker. Truly, John was as wise as his beard, which wasn’t wise at all.

Finding a server, John grabbed a basket of bread and buttered a roll. “Well, Victor, you may know languages, but you didn’t excel in math, or you would have picked a younger girlfriend who could provide you with a family.”

Lowering her napkin, Darcy clenched her jaw. Older women don’t count in LA, she thought. “Victor doesn’t want children.” She picked through the limp lettuce smelling of vinegar on her plate. “He wants to spend the rest of his life traveling the world with me.”

Victor smiled and grabbed Darcy’s hand, lifting it to his lips for a kiss.

Darcy returned his smile. When she rescued him with the tiny white lie, she enjoyed how her whole body pulsed with satisfaction.

“But Darcy can’t afford to take him anywhere,” Cathy, another waif with dyed blond hair, said. “Joyce told us you’re living in someone’s living room, because you’re too poor to afford an apartment.”

A jolt of betrayal froze her spine. How dare her daughter divulge private details? She narrowed her gaze. “I’m housesitting for friends.”

Mark shook his head. “My wife is right. Joyce said you make so little you don’t have to pay taxes.”

“That’s not true.” What information didn’t Joyce tell these people? She straightened her spine. “She doesn’t know how much I make since I fired her from preparing my tax returns.”

A collective gasp traveled around the table.

“She divorced her husband and fired her daughter.” Mark pointed to Victor. “I bet this guy doesn’t last through the night.”

Victor placed an arm around the back of Darcy’s chair. “We’re more serious about each other than you think we are.”

Georgia giggled.

Covering his mouth with a napkin, Mark stifled a laugh.

John chuckled.

Cathy tittered.

Folding their hands in their laps, Nick, a gangly man, and Melissa, an overweight woman, remained quiet.

“Nathan’s lucky he got rid of you when he did,” John said. “I feel sorry for this poor sucker.” He pointed to Victor.

Darcy held her breath and tightened her grip on the fork. Anger and shame rained on the dream she still harbored of gaining Joyce’s love and acceptance. Was her daughter nothing but a spitting image of her father? Had she been so absent from her life, Joyce didn’t learn any respect or discretion? Oh, why couldn’t she have a relationship with her daughter like Gary had with his children? She should have never agreed to be Joyce’s wedding planner. Lifting her chin, she relaxed her grip on the fork. She should only have agreed to represent her during a divorce.

Keeping his mouth shut, Victor twitched an eyebrow.

A quick glance confirmed the look of defeat on his face. Darcy needed to say something to restore their dignity. She tapped her glass with her fork. “Listen. Victor’s a gentleman. He’s not accustomed to the backbiting bitterness of LA.” She glanced around at each person, meeting their gaze. “I’m so glad I found him. He doesn’t judge me by my tax return or my age. He cares about the goodness in my heart, which no amount of money can buy. I love him more than I’ve loved anyone in my whole life.”

Silence echoed around the table.

All gazes with arched eyebrows settled on them.

Flushed from the conversation and desperate to rectify things, Darcy turned toward Victor and kissed him until her heartbeat thudded against her dress.

Victor caressed her hair away from her forehead and cupped her cheek with a hand as his lips found hers again and again. When they parted, he gazed at her.

Darcy had never seen his eyes darker, richer, or more soulful.

He nuzzled her ear. “Thank you,” he whispered.

A ray of unconditional love warmed her body. Darcy squeezed his hand. “You’re welcome.”

A few moments later, the servers nudged between the guests, clearing the salad and dinner roll plates and serving the main course.

Darcy nibbled at the roasted garlic chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, and barely steamed baby carrots on her plate, listening to the speeches given by the guests at the head table. After the initial rush of victory, she grew a little deflated, knowing she fabricated a story about a romance with Victor which did not exist. She sipped her water, wishing for a gin martini with two olives.

At the end of the meal, Victor grabbed her hand. He placed their intertwined fingers on the table for the guests to see.

Nathan and Tanya waltzed on the parquet floor to an old song Darcy remembered hearing in their living room the day she packed her bags and left. She wished she had not come tonight. No one said any kind words to her or Victor. She wondered if Nathan and Joyce divulged private and misguided information to sabotage their evening or if their mindless chatter was meant to be harmless. Had she been gone so long from this superficial community to remember how shallow everyone was?

“The dance floor is open.” The DJ lifted his arms. “Everybody dance.”

“Would you like to dance?” Victor waved toward the crowd of couples swaying to the music.

“I thought you didn’t dance.” Darcy narrowed her gaze.

“You told me to get a life outside of work, so I took a few lessons.”

Darcy arched her eyebrows. She mellowed with the thought of him taking her advice. “Well, we wouldn’t want to waste them, would we?”

Victor swung Darcy into a waltz. They glided around the other dancing couples with neither one of them stepping on each other’s feet.

She closed her eyes, giddy with a rush of adrenaline. The last time she danced was at a New Year’s Eve party hosted by the DJ she’d been dating. He kept stepping on her feet and apologizing. She had blisters on her toes for three weeks. Laughing at the memory, she tossed back her head. As she swept across the parquet floor in Victor’s capable and caring arms, a thrill of pleasure tingled through her body.

The momentum of their dancing bodies felt like falling in love.

When the dance ended, Victor led Darcy toward the bank of windows looking out at the dark terrace. The twinkling lights of the city sparkled like diamonds. “I’m tired of the ugly gossip about us.” Darcy turned away from the window. “I’m impressed you’re putting up with it so well.”

“That second act at the dinner table ended brilliantly.” Victor clapped his hands. “We need a grand finale.” He rubbed his hands together. “Something fabulous that everyone will talk about forever.”

Darcy turned toward him and gazed into his dark eyes. “Like what?”

“Oh, you’ll see.” He smiled.

A flicker of panic zipped through her body. She was not like Victor, who preferred last second preparations. She needed time and space to process suggestions. “Shouldn’t I be prepped?”

He glanced up and down the length of her body. A slow smile ignited on his face. “No, you’ll be more dramatic if you’re unprepared.”

She tensed her body. “I don’t feel comfortable not knowing what we’re getting into.” She refused to accept his outstretched hand. “We should stop the charade now while we’re ahead.”

“Don’t worry.” He curled his fingers over her wrist. “We can pull off this scene. You’re a great actress.”

A shaft of apprehension tightened her legs. She was not acting. A fresh wave of shame crashed through her. She cared for Victor.

He led her through the crowd of dancing couples to the foot of the stage.

Motioning to the DJ, Victor cupped his hands around his mouth and spoke into the DJ’s ear.

An increasingly uneasy feeling tightened her stomach. She could not hear what they were saying. She hated being surprised in public.

The DJ nodded, took Victor’s offered cash, and walked center stage. “Excuse me,” the DJ spoke into the microphone. “We have a slight change of plans.”

Victor led Darcy up onto the stage.

A spotlight shone on them.

She stood on wobbly legs, staring into the crowd, but the bright light made distinguishing any faces impossible.

Placing his hand in his interior breast pocket, he curled his fingers around something. Kneeling on one knee, he grabbed one of her hands.

As beads of sweat burst against the crown of her forehead, she swayed like a palm tree caught in a tropical storm.

With soft eyes, he held up a ring.

The diamond shone like a tiny star. Tightening her throat, she blinked back tears. This proposal wasn’t happening. But then she remembered Victor’s promise to give everyone something to talk about. They will talk about this event for years, she thought.

“My darling Darcy,” he said, loud enough for the silenced crowd to hear. “Will you marry me?”

The spotlight glinted off the diamond, blinding her with its radiance. For a long moment, Darcy wondered if the crowd suspected the ruse. A rush of feelings flooded through her, from the anxiety of being found out to the bliss of being falsely wanted. Heart pounding, she held her breath.

Victor gazed up at her.

She could stare into those kind brown eyes forever. Releasing her breath, she smiled. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

The crowd cheered.

The DJ resumed the music, playing a love song.

Victor slipped the ring on the third finger of her left hand.

The cold metal warmed against her skin. A flash of vindication zipped through her body. Listen to the gossip now. Darcy and Victor engaged!

Nathan shoved his way to the front of the crowd of guests who surrounded them and grabbed her hand. He studied the diamond with squinted gaze. “It’s real.”

Tanya threw her body at Victor and kissed his cheek.

He shoved her away and sidled next to Darcy.

“Of course, it’s real.” He pointed to the diamond. “My grandmother wore it.”

“An antique.” Tanya clasped both hands over her heart. “How romantic!”

Tyler jostled through the crowd and raised his hand. “Way to go, buddy!”

Grinning, Victor slapped his hand in a high five.

Breathless from racing across the room, Joyce panted. “I don’t believe it! You swore you were never getting remarried.”

Victor wrapped an arm around Darcy’s waist and kissed the tip of her nose. “She changed her mind because she met the right guy.”

“That’s right.” Darcy nodded. “The right guy can change everything.” As soon as the adrenaline rush subsided, she wondered how long the magic would last.