, looking like she' d stepped out of a fashion

carf. "Julian A

ving a dismissive hand.

nthouse. He said I'll be se

. "Alex, don't be difficult. Yes, I w

at I was hearing. "We

e' ll get married, of course, for appearances. My parents insist. It gives me a respectable entry,

at, to be her placeholder husband

us," I said, my voi

er eyes cold. "It' s the best arrangement f

childhood friend from Queens, the only person who' d stuck by me after my parents d

didn't knock. Th

ey, what do you t

ross the face, hard. Mike stumbled

er trash," Julian sneer

h smelling of mint and someth

he said, "but not much else. She says you' re.

about Tiffany, things only a lover would

ak me, to show m

succe