A Very Exclusive Engagement

Scarlet wrinkled her nose. “I’m fine, really. The doctors say there’s not a single, lingering side effect from my accident. Now stop fussing over me, you staller, and let me see that hand.”

Reluctantly, Francesca held out her left hand, letting the flawless diamond sparkle in the sunlight. Scarlet looked at the ring, then at Liam and back at her. “You are engaged to Liam Crowe. Liam Crowe. You know, when Daniel proposed to me, I told you and Ariella almost the moment it happened.”

That was true, Francesca thought guiltily. And under any other circumstances, she would’ve done the same thing. This just didn’t feel like a real engagement. Because it wasn’t. “It just happened,” she insisted, grinning widely with feigned excitement at her groom to be. “We just picked out the ring before lunch.”

Scarlet smiled. “It’s beautiful. You two are so sneaky. I didn’t even know you guys were dating. How did this happen?”

“We, uh…” Francesca realized she had no clue what to say. They hadn’t really gotten around to deciding what they’re relationship history was. Certainly the truth wouldn’t do, or people would think they were crazy. “Actually, um…”

“We started seeing each other a while back when I first started looking to buy ANS,” Liam interjected. “With everything going on, we wanted to keep it quiet for a while. But after being trapped in that elevator with Francesca, I knew I had to spend the rest of my life with her.”

Francesca swallowed her snort of contempt as Scarlet sighed with romantic glee. “That is so sweet. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me, of all people, but you two are just adorable together. So when is your engagement party? You have to let Ariella and I do it for you.”

“No,” Francesca insisted. “You’ve been so busy with Cara and Max’s wedding and now, planning your own big day.” The former newscaster and the public relations specialist for the White House press secretary had married at the end of March. Scarlet’s beau, Daniel, had proposed to her at the wedding reception. “Don’t worry about us. We’re probably not going to—”

“Nonsense,” Scarlet said. “I insist. I’m on my way back to the office right now. I’ll tell Ariella the good news and we’ll get right to work on it. When would you like to have it?”

“Soon,” Liam interjected, cutting off another of Francesca’s protests. “This weekend, if at all possible. We can’t wait to share our excitement with all our friends and family.”

Scarlet’s eyes widened, but she quickly recovered with a pert nod. She was used to dealing with the unreasonable demands of powerful D.C. couples. “I’m sure we can make that happen. Short notice makes it harder to find a venue, but I’ve got a couple of people who owe me some favors. For you, I’m thinking an afternoon garden party. Something outdoors. Light nibbles, champagne punch. Maybe a gelato bar. How does that sound?”

Francesca choked down a sip of her water. “That sounds beautiful.” And it did. It was just what she would’ve chosen for her engagement party. Her friend knew her well. She just wished they weren’t wasting their efforts on an engagement that wouldn’t lead to a loving marriage.

Scarlet was bursting with excitement. Francesca could see the lists being made in her head. Flowers, caterers, maybe even a string quartet to serenade the guests. Scarlet did everything with a stylish flair that was famous in elite D.C. society. “I will give you a call tomorrow and work out some details.”

“Just tell me where to send the check.” Liam smiled.

“Absolutely,” Scarlet said. “Talk to you soon.” She swung her bag over her shoulder and disappeared down the sidewalk with an excited pep in her step. She really did live for this stuff.

Francesca wished she could work up as much enthusiasm. And she needed to if they were going to pull this off. Because this was really happening. Really, really happening.

What on earth had she done?

Five

Liam hadn’t planned on their having dinner that night, but seeing Francesca with Scarlet had made it absolutely necessary. They really knew nothing about each other. They had no relationship backstory. Once the news of their engagement got out, people would start asking questions and they needed to get their stories straight.

Usually this kind of discussion happened before the engagement, but they were working on a steep learning curve, here. After the waiter took their orders, Liam settled back into his seat and looked at his fiancée. He knew she was beautiful, feisty, caring and exciting. He knew that he desired her more than any other woman he’d ever known. And yet, he knew almost nothing about who she was and where she’d come from. That was a problem.