you,” he said with a wink, “and I truly hope you find happiness together.” He raised his glass. “To a happy life together.”
River raised her champagne and they all clinked glasses. She sipped the bubbly liquid, barely tasting it.
* * *
Kane watched his new bride. Her face had gone pale when Will made the toast and he was pretty sure she was imagining a bleak future with him. She must be feeling panicky and pressured, and probably second-guessing the rush decision.
Not that he was. He was glad he’d been able to talk her into this before she had a chance to really think it through. Because he was bound and determined to convince her that they could be happy together.
He sipped his champagne as she and Will talked. He was really glad the two of them were hitting it off. They were the two most important people in his life.
The awkward, accidental half kiss between them had surprised Kane, because he thought he’d seen a spark between them. But it was probably nothing. And even if there was something there, he trusted Will with his life. He knew Will would never take what was Kane’s.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Will?” River asked.
Will’s gaze shifted to Kane, then down to his glass.
“No. I was seeing someone, but it ended recently.”
River frowned. “I’m sorry.” Her fingertips brushed hesitantly over his hand, but then she drew them away.
“Don’t worry about Will,” Kane said. “He’s resilient.”
Will’s gaze shifted to Kane again, but he nodded and sipped his wine.
“That’s right. It was a casual thing that had been going on for some time. We’re still friends.”
“Friends with benefits?” she asked.
Will stared at his glass and Kane’s chest tightened at the sadness in his eyes.
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“You know,” Kane said, anxious to change the subject, “Will suggested you two meet and talk about your business. He thought he might have some ideas to help you with production.”
“Well, production is pretty much mixing pigment with the base, adding things like glitter or flakies, and pouring it all into the bottles.”
“I’m sure you know what you’re doing,” Will said. “I just thought I might be able to help you streamline the process. Or maybe build something that helps, like shaking the bottles.”
“I don’t think at this point I—”
Kane placed his hand on hers. “He just wants to help, River. You’re totally in charge, okay?”
“That’s right.” Will sat back. “We can do it whenever you want. Or not at all. I’m at your disposal.”
Her gaze flickered to Kane, then back to Will. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She lifted her glass to sip the champagne and the glitter of the candlelight on the diamonds in her wedding band reminded him of the velvet box in his pocket.
He pulled it out. “I almost forgot to give you this.”
He set the brown velvet box on the table. She picked it up and opened it. He had hoped her eyes would light up at the sight of the marquis-cut diamond solitaire ring, but she just stared at it, wide-eyed.
“Another gift?”
“It’s an engagement ring. I know our engagement was pretty short, but…” He pulled the ring from its soft cushion of velvet and took her hand, then slid it on her finger. “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a ring.”
It looked beautiful on her long, slender finger.
She glanced at Will nervously. Of course, she’d be wondering if he knew yet.
“River, I’ve already told Will about our arrangement.”
She nodded, her cheeks staining a deep crimson and her gaze locked on her glass. She sipped deeply.
“It’s okay. He’s not judging in any way.”
Will chuckled. “And if I was, it’d be Kane I’m judging.”
Kane knew Will was making light of it to relax River, but Will had tried to talk him out of his plan. He’d thought Kane was crazy to force her into this, but he also knew that Kane always succeeded when he set his mind to something.
Will had other reasons to be unhappy, too, but he’d been supportive, knowing how much Kane needed to be with River. Knowing how long he’d been pining for her.
Kane poured River another glass of champagne.
He would make this work. He’d win her over.
And it all started tonight.
* * *
River stood beside Kane as he pushed the key card into the door then opened it. He rested his hand on the small of her back, as if he thought she might flee, and guided her into the room.
But it wasn’t simply a room. It was a