A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope and her friends had just wrapped up a round of games, and everyone was in high spirits. But after all the sparklers and firecrackers, they were all a little worse for wear, singed hair and all.

So, when the fun started winding down, they decided to head back to the hotel.

As they strolled up the sidewalk, Calliope spotted Ulysses standing by the entrance. He was alone, and honestly, he was the best-looking one in the Jewell family, no surprise, considering he was a celebrity. The way he carried himself, he was impossible to ignore.

For some reason, Calliope had a feeling Ulysses was there for her. Oddly enough, none of the other Jewells had come looking for her.

In truth, Ulysses was the last person she expected to see. He'd never liked her much; he'd always been fiercely protective of Lisette, and his attitude towards Calliope had been downright cold in the past.

The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became: Ulysses wasn't here to plead or make peace. No, knowing him, he was probably here to chew her out because he couldn't stand seeing his family try to win her over.

Calliope kept her face neutral, but her mind was whirring. She glanced at Ulysses, then quickly looked away, deliberately ignoring him. If he was planning to give her a lecture, she wasn't about to stick around for it.

with Calliope, joking around and chatting like nothing was out of the ordinary. Of course, they all noticed Ulysses, but not one of them gave him the

until they were right up at the hotel doors that Ulysses finally stepped in their path, looking more

talk to you for a

he caught the protectiveness in Silas and the guys' eyes, a definite 'back off' vibe. Ulysses hastily added, "Callie, just want to

pleading in his gaze, which was

found herself wondering if he was acting. He was an

give me five minutes," Ulysses said. "That's all I'm

turned to

at Quentin and the others as well.

so earnest that even Quentin and

a few