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huge and greener than usual. She painted Sophia’s mouth a deep rose, making her lips look like they had just been kissed.
    “My God, Olivia, who the hell is that?” She was so used to looking in the mirror, fixing what was obviously out of place, and walking away, that she never even dreamed she could look like this. “Having a best friend who’s a model really comes in handy,” she said, still staring. “Why haven’t you haven’t made me look like this before?”
    “You’ve never wanted to get all dolled up before, said you were the plain-Jane type. But this is your wedding day and you only get married once, provided you do it right the first time. Besides, I didn’t want to have to deal with that kind of competition,” Olivia replied, indicating the reflection.
    The sound of the buzzer drowned out their laughter. “That must be Stuart. He wasn’t ready when I left this morning. He went on a bit of a bender last night.”
    Unable to sit still, Sophia went over to the window as Olivia ran down the three flights of stairs to let in Stuart. A limo drew up and Luca stepped out, surveying the building in front of him. Her heart went into overdrive. The black suit, white shirt, and azure tie made him look suave yet powerful. The reality of what she was doing finally hit her, and she leaned into the wall for support.
    Luca looked up, and she was startled by the intensity on his face. Her heart rate calmed. She might be making the worst mistake of her life, marrying a man she barely knew, but it was time she took life by the scruff of the neck and shook it till it gave her what she wanted. She wanted the opportunities Luca Castellioni’s money would give her. It didn’t hurt that it all came wrapped in a gorgeous package.
    Olivia stepped into her view of the pavement, and the two shook hands, but Luca displayed no undue interest in her friend. In fact his eyes returned to her window within seconds. Sophia gave a brief wave before dropping the curtain and had a final glance around her bedsit. It was time to start again.
    Stuart appeared a moment later, grunted “hello,” grabbed her bag, and headed back down the stairs.
    Olivia poked her head around the door. “Okay, I don’t think you’re crazy now. But the man is intense. Are you sure you’re up for this? I can tell him if you’ve changed your mind … ”
    Sophia squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “I’m ready,” she declared.
    Arm in arm, the two women descended the stairs. Luca and Stuart were engaged in an animated discussion about football and at first didn’t notice their arrival. When Luca caught sight of her, he stopped mid-sentence, his arm flung wide in a dramatic gesture, his mouth open. Her mouth went dry and the air whooshed out of her lungs at the look of pure lust in his eyes before he recovered his expression. She forced herself to remain where she was and not race back up the stairs. Maybe she wasn’t quite ready for everything this marriage entailed. But there was no turning back now. She squared her shoulders and continued walking toward Luca.
    “
Bellissima
,” he whispered, as he took her hand in his. His voice was husky and he seemed lost for words. Clearing his throat, he added, “Our appointment is in forty minutes. We must go soon. You need anything else?”
    Appointment, not wedding. She looked back at the building that had been her home for the past four years. The red paint on the bricks had faded to a dull pink. The draughty windows would be chilling someone else in future. It had been the first place she could call her own, but aside from a few laughs with Olivia, it held no fond memories—only worries about paying the rent and what the future held.
    “No, I have everything.” She lifted her chin and tried to smile. “I packed a set of clothes in my carry-on bag so I can change after … lunch.” The last word came out a bit strangled; she couldn’t quite keep all the apprehension out of her voice. He