Page 125 of Arranged To Be Mine

I shifted uncomfortably. Compliments from Lou Corwin still felt strange. “I just showed up. She figured out the rest on her own.”

“Showing up is half the battle.” Lou took another sip of champagne. “I didn’t always do that. Show up for her the way I should have. I let the company come first too many times.”

“Dad,” Darcy said softly. “I am who I am and where I am because of you. You were mom, dad, and boss. That’s a lot of hats to wear. It’s a testament to your love for me that I am who I am.”

“Thank you for saying it,” he said. “It means a lot.”

“I can’t wait until I find you stretched out on a beach in the middle of an afternoon,” Darcy teased. “Trust me, it is amazing.”

He chuckled. “I’ll admit I’m looking forward to that.”

We sipped our champagne, nodding at the staff returning to their work.

Lou turned toward me, all serious again. “Now, Beau. Let’s talk about your client.”

“My client?”

“That man and his llamas.” Lou shook his head.

“Jack. He is my client. A good client.”

“I know. I guess he’s not so bad. But I need you to promise me something.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

Lou chuckled. “As long as he doesn’t get any more fucking llamas, we can remain friends.”

I laughed. “I cannot make that promise, but I will discourage him from getting any more. Chantilly tends to be fickle. It’s only a matter of time before she finds something else that catches her eyes.”

“It better not be lions or snakes,” Darcy said.

“I’ll make sure they are aware of the county and city codes about all exotic animals,” I assured her.

Lou raised his glass. “Here’s to no more llamas.”

We clinked glasses again. Darcy beamed, clearly happy to have finally gotten the best of both professional and private worlds.

EPILOGUE

DARCY

One Year later

Ayear ago, I’d walked into a masquerade ball as the ice queen, desperate to prove myself worthy of a position I’d been fighting for my entire life. Tonight, I walked in as the CEO of Corwin Gems, hosting the event I’d designed from the ground up. The difference was staggering.

Last year, I was a fiery phoenix. That was a representation of a woman trying to prove she wasn’t cold. This year, I was showcasing my transformation. I felt every inch of the mask I wore.

My gown was a deep amethyst purple. Gauzy layers made up the skirt. The bodice was fitted with a corset style, covered with delicate beading that caught the candlelight. The skirt billowed out and made me feel like I was floating. It was soft. Feminine.

But the mask was the real statement.

It was shaped like a butterfly with delicate wings sweeping up around my eyes in shades of violet, silver, and midnight blue. Tiny crystals caught the light along the edges. It concealed enough of my face to preserve the mystery without hiding me completely.

A butterfly. Because that was what this year had been. A transformation I never saw coming. I’d been wrapped up in a cocoon of my own making until I met Beau. Now, I was soaring.

I moved through the crowd, accepting compliments and congratulations, playing the gracious hostess while my eyes kept scanning the room. I knew he was here somewhere. We’d driven separately on purpose, part of the game we’d been playing all week.

“Looking for someone?”