the hem of her skirt, making it look like she wa

to look back up

e'd imagined him, like a shadow

s Ashton real

sed to loosen, leaving her restless even

e venue glittered with extravagance, and it seemed as

in from overseas, and earlier that evening, he had

nst her collarbone. Instead of feeling li

looking at her. Some eyes held envy, others

meone like her? If I were in her plac

treats her like royalty. Wh

ference. Not everyone has

the room and wrapped around L

ers squared and chin lifted, she acted as

er stepped forward and presented her with yet anothe

of the velvet box, the crow

all smile. "Thank yo

wn and layered in glittering jewels, she moved with practiced elegance. Th

felt as though the spotl

tone carefully sweet. "I brought something for your birth

tisfaction lingered

say responded calmly as

lay a b

admired on her first wedding anniversary with Tyler, a creation fr

e anniversary present you treasured most. Personally, I don't care much for the meaning behind

n unhurried expression. "I appreciate the gesture. B

f the leaves, and every leaf was uniquely crafted. This version..." A faint smile touched her lips. "It's

ck into its box. "The original has been in my

unding guests. The color d

a crease forming between his brows

of this little perform

e..." Jenna muttered, fo

ings carefully next time, Jenna. Sometimes people pass off replicas as the real

ough. Jenna's expression

t heavy to Lindsay. After a moment, she slipped away from t

ndsay inhaled slowly and lifted her

int footsteps appr

pivo

with the confidence of someone who b

the birthday girl be inside enjoying the spotlight?" Je

ond, Lindsay shi

swirled the wine lazily. "Don't you want to know? Abo

en movement sent red wine cascading forward. It splashed across the front

ndsay. I'm

ce to speak. The volume was deliberate, loud eno

enched her

led back as if unsteady. The glass slipped from

it. A fragment grazed her hand, and

roke the tension as peopl

the shattered glass, the stain on the gown,

most immediately. "Lindsay

rmurs rose wit

Oliver fell

s a temper. It was on

idn't mean it, and now

Tears shimmered in her eyes. "Please don't be upset with Lindsay. I slipped o

red hand just enough for everyone

eading across Lindsay's dress. His voice lost its warmth. "It's only a

e still just as quick to take her side," she said

d, Tyler di

of red wine from a server who had frozen mid-step. Every pa

caught on. Fear flickered across her face, and s

didn't h

iquid spilled over Jenna's perfectly arranged hair, sliding down her

atural. Then Jenna let out a piercin

o her from h

ne s

eir expressions locked in disbe

from Jenna, soaked and unraveling, to Lindsay, who stood

y placed the empty gla

ed a handful of Jenna's soaked hair, pulling sharply un

voice so low it barely carried. "That last gl

"Lindsay! What are you doing?

teady, she moved through the stunned crowd. Guests instinctively stepped

ed her keycard and ente

ered in the air, different from the hotel's usual fragrance, though she pai

he zipper. The silk gown slid down h

garments, she bent to

hten, something collide

eat pressing against her back, while another hand clamped fi

ing backward until her spine coll

that sharp cedar scent wrapped ar

mp

ever made it

opped low, edged with danger. "Is

ce, a face flashed th

he gotte

she cou

Bang!

the wood, strained and barely contained. "Li

truck the lock, followed by the faint mech