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She fumbles with the key on the chain. It was a mistake to give it to her. And I’ll need to have the locks changed anyway. I don’t trust her not to have made a copy for my father.
Lips pressed together she hands me the key.
“You make a mockery of my sister’s memory. Take that thing and go.”
She hurries out, and I pocket the key, then turn to the women. “Simple. I don’t want her overdone.”
“Yes, sir.”
I find the dress I’d chosen in its box in a corner. I pick it up, carry it to the bed, and unpack it. I feel the women’s eyes on me as I arrange it on the bed, thinking how appropriate it is. I set the shoes on the floor at the foot of the bed and turn to the women, who stand ready.
“Nothing underneath.”
If they find that strange, they don’t comment.
Giving them a nod, I walk down the hall to Cristina’s room and unlock the door.
When I enter, she’s just coming out of the bathroom, steam spilling out behind her, a towel wrapped around her torso and one piled on top of her head.
She stops short when she sees me and defensively puts her hands to the knot of the towel.
I look at the tray Elise brought up earlier.
“Why didn’t you eat?”
“I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“Wedding jitters?”
“What do you think?”
It’s late afternoon, and the sun is just beginning to set. I wonder if she realizes she has one of the best views of the sunset from here.
“We won’t have dinner until late.”
“I’ll survive.”
“I don’t want you passing out.”
“I’m not that fragile. And if you’re referring to last night, that was different.”
“Suit yourself. Are you ready? The women who’ll prepare you are here.”
“I can prepare myself.”
“I’m sure you can, but tonight is special. It’s our wedding, after all,” I deadpan.
“Speaking of, isn’t it bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony? Although I guess why stop now? Bad is the only kind of luck I’ve had ever since the night you walked into my life eight years ago.”
“Leave the drama to my brother. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“Down the hall.” I go to the door and gesture for her to follow.
She slips into the closet and emerges a moment later wearing a sweater and a pair of jeans, then walks out into the hallway.
With a hand on her lower back, I guide her to the room where the women wait. I turn her to face me before I leave.
“Do I need to post a guard?” I ask in a voice low enough that only she’ll hear.
“I won’t go wandering around. I learned my lesson.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll be back to take you to the chapel.”
“Chapel?” Her eyebrows arch.
“Of course. I’m Catholic.”
She looks confused. “Are you serious?”
“About being Catholic?”
“No, about the chapel. I mean, if you believe in God, which I don’t think you do, I’m pretty sure he’d condemn what you have planned.”
I give her arms a squeeze. “Maybe you’ll get lucky and I’ll be struck down by lightning.”
“One can wish.”
She turns away and I know the moment her eyes fall on the dress because she spins back to face me, mouth open in a surprised O.
“One more thing,” I say, reaching into my pocket to take out the phone. I toss it to her, and she instinctively reaches out to catch it.
She looks down at it, then up at me.
“Never gave you an engagement present. Be good, Cristina,” I say and walk out the door.6CristinaI stand there staring at the phone in my hands, not believing it. When I touch the screen, it comes to life. There’s no passcode.
There’s a missed call. When I check it, Damian’s name pops on the screen. I look at the contact list and his is the only number programmed. He must have called it in order to save his number in here.
“Are you ready, miss?” one of the women asks.
I look at her. “Just a minute,” I say and walk toward the window, turning my back to them.
I dial Liam’s number. He answers on the first ring, and I instantly feel a combination of relief and elation.
“Hello?” he says again when I don’t speak right away.
“Liam. It’s me. Cristina.”
“Cristina?”
I smile, realizing that smile feels strange on my face. Almost like I’ve forgotten how to do it.
“It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“I don’t recognize the number.”
“It’s a new phone. Damian just gave it to me. Well, he tossed it at me and left, so I guess it’s mine.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at the house in Upstate New York.”
“Dad told me what’s happening. Are you okay?”
I glance at the ring on my finger. “I have to be. How about you? How are you?”
“I’m all right. Worried about you.”
“I’ll be fine,” I say, not sure I will. “Are you still staying with your mom?”
