The-Wrong-Bride-Ares--Raven’s-story-(Maura,-Catharina)_bibis

She shakes her head. “She gets to see us whenever she wants, but it’s harder for her to see her
friends, so I get it.”
Raven always does this. She always makes excuses for Hannah. Does she realize that she does
that?
“Show me what you’re drawing.”
She nods and settles against me, her arm brushing against mine, a soft breeze dancing on our skin.
“I’m thinking of trying various shades of nude with heavy beading. Form fitting but classy.”
She flicks through her designs, and a hint of pride courses through me.
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
She looks up at me, startled. I love the way her cheeks always flush when I compliment her. She’s
a supermodel, adored by millions, yet she still blushes like that. Raven truly is something else, and
I’m proud to call her a friend.
“Hey, I’ve got something for you. I know it’s a bit early and your birthday isn’t for another month,
but I thought you’d want this now.”
I hold up the small paper bag I brought with me, and she takes it with wide eyes. I watch her
intently as she takes out the box inside the bag, my heart beating in a nervous pattern. When is the last
time I was nervous about something as simple as a gift?
Raven gasps, and I breathe a sigh of relief. “Ares! This tablet isn’t even out yet! I’ve got it on preorder,
and it won’t release for another six months. How did you — “she turns it around and grins
when she sees the enamel cupcake integrated on the back of the tablet. “Wow. You... how?! This isn’t
just… they don’t customize these!”
Yeah, this was worth all the shit Lexington gave me when I pleaded with him to ask Aria Callahan
for a favor. If I’d known her personally, I wouldn’t have bothered with him at all, but I don’t. All I
know is that she’s Amara Grant’s sister-in-law, and since Amara and Leia are good friends with Lex,
I knew he could make this happen for me, no matter how much shit he gave me. The Callahans are
involved in most tech businesses, and if they aren’t, they have the connections that I lack.
“I know someone who knows someone, who knows someone,” I said cryptically. There’s no
fucking way I’ll let Lex take the win for this one. He didn’t earn her smile. I did.
“I love it!” she squeals. When was the last time I saw such genuine joy in her eyes? “I can’t
believe you did this for me. You hate picking out presents!”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t. I’ve always picked out yours, every single year.”
She frowns then. “That wasn’t Dom?”
“Dom?” I repeat, offended. “Has that fucker been taking credit for all the gifts I picked out for you
over the years?”
She laughs and places her hand on my arm, squeezing. “No, I suppose I was just making baseless
assumptions. I love this, Ares. I truly, truly love this. This is my favorite present ever. I can’t wait to
draw my next few designs on it.”
I smile as she turns it on and starts to mess around with the settings. “Do you ever relax, though?
You’re always working, Raven. I don’t know many people who work more than I do, but you’re
definitely one of them. It isn’t healthy.”
She merely shrugs. “It’s fine. Working keeps my mind occupied. I prefer it that way.”
I stare at her for a moment. “What is it you’re running from?”
Raven tenses and smiles brightly, yet her eyes are filled with a haunted expression. “Hey, she
seems to love the necklace. I told you, didn’t I?”
I chuckle and push the swing away from the floor with my feet. Her way of changing the subject