Seconds later, the elevator arrives on the floor and Jaslene, Lina’s best friend and assistant, rushes out, a clipboard wedged under one arm, her gaze zeroing in on Dean. “Found him,” she says into her space cadet headset. “I’ll send him down right now.”

Jaslene marches over and tugs Dean forward by the sleeve. “Let’s go, hotshot. We don’t have time for this. You’re supposed to be downstairs so I can grab your bride.”

Dean allows himself to be led inside the elevator, never interrupting his conversation with Mrs. Budros. Without another word, Jaslene presses a button on the panel and gingerly jumps off before the doors slide shut. Just like that, he’s gone.

When she notices me standing off to the side, Jaslene stops short. “Are you the designated hall monitor?”

I consider Jaslene family, so she’s allowed to be a smartass.

“Cute.” Adopting a posh British accent, I explain why I’m loitering. “The bride has requested sparkling water, and I’ve been given the unenviable task of procuring it.” Eh, sounds more like a poor imitation of Count Dracula.

Jaslene rolls her eyes. “Don’t bother. You won’t get it to her in time. I’ll call in a request and have it sent downstairs to the waiting area.”

I shrug. “I’ll go back in and help Natalia clean up, then.”

Jaslene pouts. “You’re not going to watch the wedding? It’s the first one I’ve planned from start to finish. I don’t mean to brag, but I think I’ve finally hit my stride with this one.”

Watching that train wreck is not on my agenda, which means I need an excuse. Jaslene’s wearing a fitted pale blue skirt suit that complements the wedding scheme; my casual outfit would mar the vibe—or so I’ll tell her. I sheepishly gesture to my skinny jeans and ballet flats. “I’m not really dressed for it.”

“Just stand in the back,” she says, waving away my concern. “Near the rose-covered trellis. You’ll have a perfect view of the ceremony.”

Again, that isn’t a goal of mine, but if I’m honest about it, Jaslene will be hurt. This accomplishment is important to her, so that makes it important to me. “All right. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.”

Lovely. Now I’ll be forced to watch Dean marry a woman whose intentions are unclear. And with every second that passes, I’ll wonder if I should have disclosed what I know. Like I said, I’m cursed.

Chapter Two

Dean

This is the big day, and it couldn’t be more perfect.

The weather’s cooperating—no small achievement given that it’s July in DC—and our close friends and family (mostly Ella’s) are all here in the hotel garden to celebrate this momentous occasion with us.