“That’s what I thought. Ok, let’s try the next one.”
She disappeared back behind the curtain. I took another sip, and my phone pinged next to me.
Sebastian:
Sorry, Nyx, we were at the bar earlier. I didn’t hear you properly. I’ll give you a call later. Love you.
My heart fluttered, and a small smile crept on my lips.
We’d been at the wedding shop all day, and Serfina had tried on about a hundred options. Well, it probably wasn’t that many, but it felt like it. We’d managed to polish off two bottles in the process.
“Aria, I think this is the one,” Serfina called from behind the curtain. “Be honest, ok?”
A few moments later, the curtain pulled away, and Serfina stepped out. My eyes widened. The strapless sequined gownhugged all her beautiful natural curves. The corset-style bodice had a sweetheart neckline and flowed into an A-line, covered in vintage lace. The beading and sequins sparkled in the chandelier light.
She looked like a princess.
“Well?” she said.
“I’m speechless.”
“Is that a good speechless or a bad one?” She laughed nervously.
“More than good. You look phenomenal. This is the one.”
Serfina gestured for the staff to leave the room, and they gave her a nod, doing as she said. She plonked herself next to me and took a sip of her champagne.
“Hayden’s going to cry on our wedding day, isn’t he?” She giggled.
“He going to do more than cry if you’re wearing that.”
We both started giggling again.
“It’ll be you and Sebastian next.”
“I doubt that’ll be anytime soon.”
I wasn’t sure how Sebastian felt about marriage after his upbringing. He could have been completely against it, for all I knew.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. The whole time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him look that way. He knows instantly where you are in a crowded room, even if he can’t see you. That kind of love is rare.”
I was the same with him. I’d always know when his eyes were on me. I didn’t need to see to know. I felt it. I felt everything with him.
“We need to get some lingerie now.” Serfina grinned.
4
Sebastian
We’d had a private water taxi pick us up from San Marco and take us to the outskirts of Venice to collect the car. It wasn’t just down the road; it was a good hour and a half drive, and we were going to be out all day.
A sinking feeling hit the pit of my stomach as I checked my phone again for a reply from Aria. I’d lied to her about where we were, and she’d picked up on it immediately.
“She’s probably busy shopping with Serfina,” Hayden said, clearly noticing something was up.
“She normally replies straight away. What if she didn’t believe me?”
“You told her you’d call her later. What’s she got to say to that? You chose not to tell her the truth.”
