MEL
"Dinner has been slated for seven this evening. Rosa will send a few dresses to choose from. He'll pick you up. Be ready."
I scrunch my face up and turn from the mirror I've been staring into blindly for the last few minutes.
It sounded like a command, and it was. Xander calls, and I go. It is the terms of our engagement this time. My throat tightens, and I smile at myself, infuse some warmth into my voice, and answer.
"Of course, Ryder."
Ryder is Xander's underboss, second in command, and the person calling me to set up a date with my would-be husband.
I smile again and sink my teeth into my bottom lip.
"Are you okay?" Ryder asks. His voice is rough and hoarse. The way it has always been. Possibly the way it will always be until he stops smoking a thousand cigars a day.
I nod,
