Allesia’s heart jumped. “What do you mean? I’ve seen Aurelia Bowmont on social media. She’s very outspoken, opinionated.
You seem more reserved.” “Think fast,” Alesia, “Maybe I’m just nervous.” She said, “This is my wedding day, and you’re intimidating.”
Luther’s amber eyes sparked with amusement. “Intimidating? You’re Luther Castellan. You own half of Atlanta.
Meanwhile, I’m just” Allessia caught herself. Aurelia wouldn’t say just anything. “I mean, but this is all very overwhelming.”
“Fair enough,” Luther said. His hand moved to her waist, pulling her slightly closer as a photographer approached.
Smile for the camera wife. Allesia smiled, hyper aware of Luther’s warmth, his scent, his presence.
The photographer snapped several shots, then moved on. You’re good at that, Luther observed. At what?
Performing. You looked like a genuinely happy bride just now. Allesia’s stomach dropped. “Did he suspect?”
“Maybe I am happy,” she said carefully. Luther’s lips curved. “Are you?” “I married you, didn’t I?
You married the merger,” Luther corrected. “Let’s not pretend this is a love match, Aurelia.
We’re both here because our families demanded it. No need to lie about it.” His words stung more than they should have.
“Right,” Allesia said. Of course. But, Luther continued, his voice softening slightly. That doesn’t mean we can’t be civil.
Maybe even friends eventually. Friends, Allesia repeated. Is that so hard to imagine? No, I just I didn’t expect you to be so so what?
Young, handsome, charming? Not at all what I imagined. She couldn’t bring herself to say any of that.
Nice. Allesia finished lamely. Luther laughed. A real genuine laugh that transformed his entire face.
The bar is that low. I’m nice. You’d be surprised how many people aren’t. Something shifted in Luther’s expression.
You’re right about that. The reception continued, and Allesia found herself relaxing slightly. Luther was easy to talk to when he wasn’t being formal.
He had a dry sense of humor that caught her off guard. When an older couple approached and the woman said, “Luther, you look wonderful.
Marriage agrees with you already.” Luther had responded, “Give it a week, Mrs. Patterson. I’m told I’m impossible to live with.”
“I doubt that,” Alicia had said without thinking. Luther had looked at her with surprised pleasure.
“Defending me already? We might actually make this work.” Finally, the reception ended and a sleek car drove them to Luther’s home.
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