“Well?” Ruby said. “How is it?”

Yvonne put the plate and fork down on the table before her. “This is the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.” She was exaggerating, but not much. Ruby’s baking skills had improved.

“I’m glad you like it.” Ruby kissed Yvonne on the cheek.

Yvonne felt a surge of warmth. Clearly her emotions were still all over the place. Or had Madison been right about something else too? Was Yvonne developing feelings for Ruby?

Yvonne pushed the thought aside. “Madison’s wedding is coming up. How would you like to be my plus one? I should warn you, it’s a big event. There will be hundreds of people there. It’s a lot of pressure. Think you can handle it?”

“Sure,” Ruby said. “I like a good party. And I like playing wife.”

“Then you’re going to need something to wear. I’ll have my stylist come by during the week. I already have something in mind.” Yvonne looked Ruby up and down. “You’re going to look irresistible.”

Ruby smiled shyly. God, that smile. It was the perfect antidote for Yvonne’s dark mood.

Yvonne stretched out, draping an arm loosely over Ruby’s shoulder. “Why don’t you tell me about your day? How was catching up with your cousin?”

“It was great,” Ruby said. “She was really impressed by the fact that I bagged myself a hot, rich wife.”

Ruby nestled against Yvonne’s shoulder and began filling her in on her day. Yvonne nodded along. Perhaps she felt more toward Ruby than she’d let herself admit, but that didn’t mean those feelings were serious.

Was there any harm in indulging those feelings? It would make it far easier to keep up the pretense that they were a happily married couple. And Yvonne hadn’t forgotten that it was all just an arrangement. One with an expiration date.

It could never become anything more.

Chapter 17

“Ruby?” Yvonne called from the master bedroom. “I need you.”

“One second.” Ruby had just gotten out of the shower. She hadn’t even heard Yvonne come home.

She wrapped a towel around herself and headed to Yvonne’s bedroom. It was the day of Madison’s wedding, and Yvonne had left early in the morning to deal with maid of honor business, with the plan to return home to get dressed before the wedding itself began in the afternoon. Ruby wasn’t going until later when the ceremony started.

Ruby reached Yvonne’s room. Inside, Yvonne was standing in front of a full-length mirror. Her hair was gathered up in an elaborate bun, adorned with sparkling hairpins, and the sunlight streaming through the window made her eyes shift to a mesmerizing shade of green. She wore a strapless gown in an enchanting midnight blue, with a long skirt that flowed down to the floor.

Ruby’s lips parted slightly. The dress was unlike anything Yvonne normally wore. She favored sleek, fitted clothing, usually in black. The blue bridesmaid’s dress was almost princess-like.

But it made Yvonne look like a queen.