“Thank you so much for asking.” I smile at her sweet concern. “But everything is perfect. The inn is now officially closed for anyone else. We’re already setting up the decorations, and we’ll soon be ready to welcome you and your family.”

“Oh, thank God. I’m just freaking out, waiting for someone to share that something isn’t going as planned.” She releases a deep breath. “But so far, everything seems…perfect.”

“Everything will be perfect. Don’t worry.”

“I’m slowly starting to believe that. After talking to you and earlier to Lukas, my heart rate is slowly returning to normal.” She sighs.

“You talked to Lukas?”

“Yeah, he explained to Andy and me about the security plan,” she continues, unaware of my misery. “I’m amazed at how thorough he is with everything. It’s a pity he won’t be there to oversee everything personally.”

“W-what do you mean?” A tremble ripples down my spine.

“He’s got an urgent case that sounded more dangerous than providing security for our wedding.” Maya sounds serious. “You don’t know about it?”

“I…I didn’t get a chance to talk to him this morning.” My heart palpitates in worry. What’s happening and why?

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll tell you everything in detail.”

By the time the call ends with Maya, my whole body is clammy, as if I’m wearing dozens of sweaters in the blazing summer heat.

“What did she say?” Chiara asks while I try Lukas’ number on repeat.

“That Lukas is taking some high-profile dangerous case.” I shake my head, unable to understand what happened in less than twelve hours while I was asleep. “He won’t be available at the inn.”

“Auttie?” Chiara holds my hand, stopping me as I try to call him one more time. “I know you’re upset, but think for a second. It can happen, right? Lukas is part owner of Kings Security, isn’t he?”

I nod and my body sags against the couch, but my stomach remains in knots. This is too much of a coincidence.

My fingers dig into my forehead as I try to think back to the previous days. So many times when I thought there was something big building between us, Lukas pulled back.

We shared a moment so raw, so primal, in the forest. The feeling stayed when he pinned me against the door, but once he was back from the shower, it was like nothing had happened between us.

Similar things happened when he showed me the letters and all the gifts he’s preserved over the years. But the next morning, he didn’t mention anything.

Is Lukas still against the idea of our marriage because it was arranged by our family? Or is it my age? Or the fact that he’s known me since I was sixteen?