"You are a one of a kind girl," he commented ruefully. He let go of her hips and shoved his hands into the pockets of his nice suit. He looked like a slob the rest of the year, but he always dressed impeccably for events like this. "I would expect no less from you."

He stepped back from the ring and Emilie as if burned. "Am I supposed to wear this ugly thing to do your biding?"