The Convenient Wedding: a contemporary romance (The Rosa Legacy Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

steeled her reserve to resist his charm.
    Walking through the lobby, he leaned close to her and whispered, “I‘m thirty-two, have lived primarily in Greenwich but travel frequently to Asia, am an only child as well, recently lost my mother to cancer, graduated from Yale, born on July 4th, live alone in Stamford, no pets, like to swim and go riding among other things.”
    Lucia bit her lower lip. They were insane for trying to trick the media. They had met last night and fabricating an elaborate tale of love at first sight wasn’t going to cause the media to back off. The congressional seat was in a tightly contested district and it brought with it power and influence.
    Anderson took her hand and led her out of the main entrance of the hotel and into a waiting limousine. “Don’t worry, it will take time for us to get to know each other. For now, smile and fake it.”
    “Where are we going?” Lucia asked.
    “Tiffany & Co. You need an engagement ring. Brian is arranging for a local boutique to send a few dresses for you to try on.”
    Lucia grasped the pendant she was wearing. She said, “Faking an engagement may be going too far.”
    “Admitting to an affair isn’t enough. We need a concrete milestone to push the media back.”
    The driver double-parked near the famous jewelry store and Anderson told him to give them twenty minutes. When they walked into the showroom, a young saleswoman greeted them and inquired if they would like to see anything in particular. 
    Anderson silenced his phone and then glanced up at the sales associate. “Yes. Engagement rings.”
    Lucia touched her chest to counteract her racing heartbeat. They were making a huge mistake. The tabloids would never believe their relationship was real, there were too many insiders who could give an interview.
    Anderson stepped in front of her, asking “Will you marry me, bella? I know all of this is sudden but we are meant to be together.”
    His gaze held an intensity that dared her to refuse. Lucia had to remind herself that it was all an act. “Yes.”
    Anderson kissed her provocatively, before turning her toward the glass counter and saying “I want you to have the engagement ring of your dreams. Don’t deny me that pleasure.”
    The sales associate smiled and congratulated them as if she just witnessed the most romantic gesture of her short career.
    Lucia had to remind herself to look happy and smile. She was caught between a vindictive impulse to pick the most extravagant ring possible and a desire to get Anderson alone and convince him that a ring was not necessary. 
    Anderson selected a custom ring that had a magnificently set center diamond harmoniously flanked by two matching side diamonds. The setting was elaborate and traditional but as Lucia caught sight of the price tag, she froze.
    When the jeweler measured her finger and remarked that the ring was perfect and wouldn’t need sizing, she thought this charade was going too far.
    The sales associate took the ring to be polished. Lucia turned to Anderson and whispered “The ring is beautiful but too expensive. My cousin, Emilia Berceto, is a sought after jeweler and could create something amazing.”
    Anderson shook his head, saying “A ring is needed tonight.”
    Anderson discreetly handed his Amex card to the sales associate.
    Lucia asked him, “Have you inquired about their return policy?”
    Anderson stared blankly at her for a moment, before saying, “I don’t return purchases. It’ll be your keepsake. I don’t care what you do with it.”
    The jeweler returned with the ring and the sales associate followed with the paperwork. They discussed the design and handed Anderson the box along with his card and a small bag with the receipt.
    Anderson took the ring from the blue box and slipped it on her finger. “Enjoy, bella.” His gaze seared into her and challenged her to object.
    Lucia looked away and tried to make sense of the wave of emotions she was experiencing. She could