n my door. Groggy and disoriented, I blinked against t

dy for the shoot," a soft but firm

he photo

en laid out for me-a sleek, elegant dress that screamed high fashion. I barely had tim

and a team of stylists buzzing around. My mother was already in the center of it all, laughing and ch

e here!" my mother ca

nd Robert. The photographer was giving directions, adjustin

I sa

ri

gainst one of the marble pillars, looking effortlessly handsome. His smirk was

but I quickly scho

tend last night

he photographer clapped his han

itioned slightly behind us. The first few shots were easy

came the

nd Stella, let's see some chemistry

ned. "Ex

family. We need shots of you two together

efore I could say a word, Chris was already moving, s

w enough that only me could hear.

lenched.

otographer posed them-Chris standing close behind me, one hand

"Now, a little more connection, Stell

t a soft chu

us

y they

m. But Chris took it a step further, his fingers subtly tracing circles on

lse s

he photographer gushed. "

shing against my temple. "You're tense, babe

was

ward, out of his hold. "I need a break," I muttered, spinning

chuckle behind me

ctly what h

wo

got unde

already futile, unless

-

cool evening air brushed against my skin. The photo shoot had been exh

ow, as much as I wanted to ignore him, I knew we needed to talk. To

s behind me, slo

drawled, stepping beside me with his h

ning to face him. "Ch

. "We are

. "This-whatever this is between us-needs to

w, clearly amused.

getting married. That makes us family, Chris. We can't-" I sh

oser. "You keep saying this l

ally because we both knew there was som

owering. "Tell me, Stella. When I tou

ed, my voice sharp,

top. "Did it fe

king away. "It doesn't

s the problem with you, Stella. You care too much a

"What I want is for us to act like norma

expression unreadable. Then, he nodded o

hed over m

y si

eaving me standing there, my heart pounding