And Mason stopped smiling.
I had imagined that moment dozens of times.
I expected irritation.
Jealousy.
Maybe surprise.
What I saw was something entirely different.
Fear.
Mason’s champagne glass froze halfway to his mouth.
His face drained of color.
Beside me, Julian stopped walking.
I felt the muscles in his arm tighten.
“Julian?”
He didn’t answer.
He was looking past Mason.
Toward the bride.
Vanessa stood near the center of the room wearing a fitted satin gown, speaking with an older couple.
She turned.
Her gaze landed on me.
Then on Julian.
The smile vanished from her face.
She dropped her champagne glass.
It hit the floor and shattered.
Several people turned.
I stared at Julian.
“What the hell is happening?”
His jaw tightened.
Then, without looking at me, he whispered,
“Keep smiling.”
“Why?”
“Because I know the bride.”
My stomach twisted.
“How?”
He finally looked at me.
“Claire…”
He took a breath.
