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Chapter One

“If I ever decide to leave thea wedding coordinator” Meg Rosenthal lifted her flute glass and s bride

“If you planned this little party, you wouldn’t be standing beside s, first lady of the state of California, rested a hand on her six-nancy with the grace and elegance of a wo, sleek black hair trailed down her back in dark contrast to Meg’s short blonde bob and a her of the cake cutting and bouquet toss”

Shannon Redding, now Shannon Wentworth, was the bride du jour She had overnor seat Eliza’s husband, Carter Billings, would vacate said post in a little over a year and a half Paul and Shannon Wentworth had a wedding arrangement due to last two years, less if Paul didn’t obtain the popular vote The voting public wanted their politicians married and stable Since Paul was ready to run for office, but not e, he hired Alliance to find him a suitable bride With any luck, after Paul spends four years in office, the people of California would have faith in the overnor’s office as a divorced man

Eliza was right Meg would rather set up te colors and venues Her job was much easier and much more lucrative

Paul cae of political families He had money, influence, and charm Unfortunately, his taste in woe of the tabloids instead of the Wall Street Journal

Shannon also happened to come from a family of lawyers and wannabe politicians Much to the dis to study Photography was her passion Pictures didn’t pay the bills, however, and her faive her a trust fund if she squandered away her life taking snapshots

Shannon was the exact client profile Alliance loved to recruit Intelligent, lovely with a certain poise one was born to, and deterree with a private contract that only Alliance and Paul’s lawyers knew about, linked the happy couple long before the wedding day Paul would set Shannon up as his wife, take care of her every need during their e, and when they walked away after two years, Shannon would have six million dollars in her bank

She wouldn’t need her family’s trust fund

Meg stepped aside when Carter swept up to his wife’s side and slid an arm around her waist “Loveliest wo to hear

Eliza snuggled closer to her husband as color filled her cheeks You’d think after over six years of e, with a baby on the way, a woman wouldn’t blush with a co

The sound of solass filled the reception hall The attention of the guests ed to kiss every ti

Meg watched with interest as Paul set his glass down and reached for his bride With the exception of herself and the Billings, everyone here thought the couple had married for love and forever The kiss in the church had been brief Sweet, but brief What would it be now?

Paul relass from Shannon’s hand and offered a playful smile before he lowered his lips to hers

Meg started to count One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousandShannon’s palripped his lapelfour one thousand