Chapter 8 #2
She heard the faint snap of the shutter on the camera as Vivi clicked away, but in that moment, it seemed as if the rest of the world had slipped away, leaving only her and Roman.
If she hadn’t been aware of how decent a man he was before, she was now.
He’d chosen to put a virtual stranger’s needs ahead of his own wishes and desires, and she appreciated it immensely.
“That’s enough.” Irina jumped a little as Knox’s voice shattered her reverie, and Roman dropped her hand before slowly rising to his feet.
Vivi retrieved a laptop from her giant tote and met her eyes. “Where’s your kitchen?”
Relieved to have something other to do other than daydream about Roman, she eagerly moved toward her. “Follow me.”
In the kitchen, Vivi pulled out a stool and situated herself at the bar.
“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked.
“No, thanks.” Vivi shot her a smile. “I’m going to see what kind of magic I can work with Photoshop to whip up an engagement photo for you.”
The men entered the room at the tail end of the conversation, and she watched as Roman picked up the door handle the locksmith had removed from the garage door, then passed it to Knox.
She met Roman’s gaze as he turned back to them. “How are we going to get word out?”
He lifted one shoulder. “I guess just start telling everyone and hope it catches fire organically.”
She thought on that for a second, then flicked a glance at Knox. “When do we leave?”
He opened his mouth to speak, but Vivi beat him to it. “I’ve got you guys on the second flight out tomorrow morning. Your itineraries are in my purse. Knox, will you go grab those?”
Her older brother rolled his eyes but did as she requested and returned less than a minute later, purple file folder in hand. He passed it to Roman, who opened it up and flipped through the documents.
Thoughts flitted through her mind as she debated her options. “So, we have a little less than twenty-four hours to get everything ready. Do we think that’ll be enough time to get word out?”
Knox’s dark eyes pierced hers. “Do you have a better idea?”
“Well…” She spoke tentatively, afraid he would shoot down her plan. “I have a ton of followers on social media. What if I do kind of a blast of posts over the course of the day tomorrow, each one leading up to our engagement announcement?”
“Kind of like clues leading to the big reveal,” Vivi piped up. “I like it!”
She shot Vivi a quick smile. “Thanks.”
“That’s one way to do it,” Knox said with a slow nod. “I’ll leave that to you, then.”
“Okay.” She was already brimming with ideas as Roman began to read the details aloud for all of them to hear.
“We’ve got a 10:20 flight out, then a driver will meet us at the airport to take us to Anna Maria Island.”
Her ears perked up at that. “Where is that?”
“Know where Tampa is?”
She nodded at Knox’s question. “I’ve never been there, but I know the general vicinity.”
“It’s about forty miles south, west of Bradenton.”
Inside, she bubbled with excitement. “Has anyone told Aster or Louis yet?”
Knox gave a brief shake of his head. “I’d prefer not to reveal this to anyone yet. If they need to get a hold of you, any communication will go through me first.”
“Oh. Okay.” It made sense, but she felt a little adrift not being able to talk to anyone.
“Roman will have his cell on him at all times, and he’ll be the main point of contact,” Knox said, “but I ask that you don’t tell anyone where you are or what you’re doing.
You can keep your phone for emergencies, but I suggest leaving it off unless you absolutely need it.
Or, better yet, leave it here completely. ”
“So—” Her words were cut off as the doorbell rang. Knox immediately turned on a heel and headed that direction. Her eyes widened as she threw a look at Roman. “Who is that?”
Vivi glanced up at her, then over to Roman before dropping her gaze back to the computer in front of her. That didn’t exactly bode well.
His chest rose and fell on a deep breath. “Come with me.”
She reluctantly fell into step beside Roman as they followed the sound of voices to the living room. Knox stood next to an older man dressed in a suit. As soon as they entered, he turned their way and a bright smile wreathed the man’s wrinkled face. “Ah. So here’s the happy couple.”
Oh, God. She knew this was all part of the plan, but it seemed to be happening so fast. Her steps faltered, and she threw a look at Roman. He met her gaze and gently squeezed her waist, urging her forward. “Breathe. Everything is fine,” he said quietly, for her ears only.
Heart pounding in her chest, she turned her attention back to the minister standing in the middle of the living room. “Nice to meet you, Reverend. I’m Irina.” She extended one hand, and he clasped it within his own.
“You can call me Bob.”
His eyes were kind, and a flurry of butterflies kicked up in her stomach. She didn’t know if Knox had told him the whole story, but she suddenly wanted to spill her guts about every terrible thing she’d done in her life to this man of God.
The reverend turned to Roman and shook his hand. “Are you the groom?”
“I am.”
She winced internally, waiting for a bolt of lightning or something equally ominous to appear for their deception. A small hand wrapped around the inside of her elbow, and she tossed a look across her shoulder at Vivi.
“You ready for this?” Vivi asked just loud enough for her to hear.
She swallowed hard and pressed one hand to her stomach in an effort to calm her riotous nerves. “I don’t know.”
Vivi studied her with those huge dark eyes for a moment, then smiled as she gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “Everything will work out.”
God, she hoped so, because things certainly couldn’t get any worse.