A/N: Thank you, thank you to all who are reading! Just a heads up, my crazy life is going to have some uncertainty to it for the next several days to the next few weeks. I'm still going to do my best to post twice a week as normal, but should I miss a posting know that it wasn't because I forgot!

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Poe glanced over at Rey in the passenger seat as he stopped for a red light. She sat still, staring out the side window. She had been extremely quiet tonight, their third outing together since she had agreed to marry him. While he was worried about the silence coming from his normally chatty best friend, that wasn't the only reason he couldn't stop looking at her.

She was gorgeous.

Of course, he had long ago come to terms with the fact that his childhood friend had grown into a beautiful, sexy woman, but he was able to ignore that fact most of the time. Tonight, as she sat next to him in a skin tight black cocktail dress with a plunging neckline, her hair loose about her bare shoulders, smelling absolutely divine, he knew there was no way he could avoid any improper thoughts tonight. Rey had told him that she had bought the dress, the only 'fancy' one she had, back in college, and she had gained some weight since then. If that was true, it sure as hell looked good on her.

He was taking her to The Emerald Grill, the most expensive and elite restaurant in Aldera. On a Saturday night, he knew it was bound to have more than a few guests who were associated with Organa Enterprises, either as a board member, stock holder, or client. It was time to give the Aldera Upper Class something to talk about.

As he pulled into the lot, he slowed and parked off to the side. She looked at him, wondering why he wasn't driving directly to the valet. He shifted in his seat so he was facing her. "I want to talk to you before we go in," he explained.

"Okay," she said softly, her doe eyes huge in the faint light coming from the dash.

He took a deep breath. "I called the courthouse earlier today and made an appointment for Wednesday afternoon."

Her mouth opened slightly in surprise, but then she nodded. "Okay," she repeated.

"You sure?" he asked, holding his breath.

"Yeah, I'm sure." Her voice was firm, but her expression still looked a little stunned.

"Okay," he said, then he reached into his pocket. "I thought it would be a good idea for anyone watching us tonight to get a heads up." He pulled out his most prized possession and held it up.

Her eyes widened. "Poe!" She looked down at what was in his hand, then back up to his face. "That's your mother's ring!"

"Yeah," he nodded, pleased that she remembered it. He had shown it to her the day his father had given it to him on his ninth birthday. The sapphire and diamond ring had belonged to Shara's mother, and her mother before that. "I think it would make a great engagement ring."

Rey stared at him for a moment. "I can't take that!" she finally said, her voice breathy.

"Why not?" he frowned. "I sure as heck can't wear it. I never even though about giving it to my previous fiancès… which should have told me something now that I think about it." He huffed a laugh and shrugged. "The fact is, Rey, this is probably the only wedding I'll ever have, and I really think my mom would want you to have this."

She shook her head again, frowning at the ring.

"Please?" Poe whispered.

She looked up at him, bit her lip, then nodded. She opened her hand and he placed the ring in her palm, then watched as she slid it onto her left ring finger.

He smiled. "See? It fits perfect! Must be fate."

She tilted her head and gave him a disbelieving look. "Yeah, right." She smirked. "I'm giving it back to you when this is… over."

"No, you're not," he said without hesitating. He laughed at her expression, then turned forward again and put the car back in drive. "Let's do this."

And they did, putting on another brilliant performance. What did it matter if he found himself enjoying how she looked at him, as if he was the only man on her radar? Why should he worry about how he let his hand linger longer than it should have on the small of her back as he escorted her into the restaurant? Or how he took a deep breath of her soft floral scent as he pulled out her chair for her? And what about all the teasing and laughing as they flirted through the meal? In fact, he had become so focused on her that he failed to pay attention to who may or may not be in attendance, who may or may not be observing them.

"You are so beautiful," he finally had to say out loud.

He grinned as she blushed. "Thank you," she murmured, and he was reminded of the super shy child she had once been.

They had finished their meal before he took notice of anyone other than the server, and then it was only because he was forced to.

"Poe!" The voice was familiar, and while it didn't make him upset, it was certainly not a person he wanted to talk to tonight. He glanced up as Zorii Bliss stopped at their table. The woman glanced at Rey, giving her a weak smile. "Hello, Rey."

"Hello, Ms. Bliss," Rey said with a bright smile.

Zorii turned her attention back to Poe. "I wanted to congratulate you," she gushed. "I heard you've officially become President and CEO of Organa Enterprises."

Poe nodded. "Yes, well, provisionary," he confirmed. "Until the board decides in a year if I'm doing a good enough job to make the transition permanent." Zorii and the other board members still did not know about the true conditions of the will. They would be told once the year was up, then they would make the determination of whether or not his marriage was valid. Ben and D'Acy were the only ones who knew the details.

"Well, I can guarantee you'll have my vote," Zorii smiled. She glanced at Rey again, who was doing her best to keep a smile on her face. Poe could tell how fake it was. "I guess that's what you're celebrating tonight?" Zorii prompted.

"Actually, no," Poe smiled, looking at Rey. "We are celebrating something even more important." As Rey looked at him, he reached for her left hand and pulled it toward him, making sure Zorii saw the ring.

"Oh!" Zorii gasped softly. Her expression went from flirty to dark as she looked back and forth between them. She focused on Rey. "I didn't realize you were a gold digger, Rey," she snarked.

Rey smiled at her, and this time it was genuine. "I could say it takes one to know one, but since I have no interest in Poe's money, I guess your eyesight needs help."

Poe couldn't help the soft snort. Rey looked at him again as he began to play with her fingers, totally ignoring Zorii. The idea that he once thought the other woman was a compatible partner made him cringe inside. The woman across from him surpassed Zorii by miles.

"Are you sure you'll be able to actually walk down that aisle this time, Poe?" Zorii asked in a sickly-sweet voice.

Without looking away from Rey, Poe responded softly, "Wild horses won't keep me away." He continued to play with Rey's fingers, using both hands to fondle the graceful digits, only half aware of Zorii's miffed exhalation as she walked away.

He was thinking about the strength he knew Rey's hands held when he felt the slight tug. He looked up, but instead of seeing the soft, playful look he had seen when he took her hand, he saw coldness.

"Laying it on a little thick, aren't you Dameron?"

Poe let go of her hand and she quickly jerked it away from him, bringing it to her lap as she looked down toward her plate. "Zorii is on the board," he said, his voice rough. "We need to make her believe."

She nodded, but didn't look up. "Right," she said, an edge to her voice. "It's all make believe."

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