“You’re horrible!” I shrieked.
“I know, I’m the worst. But you love me. God, where did you even find him? One minute you’re stressing about tuition and course offerings and the next I’m getting this insane gold-leaf wedding invitation out of the blue. It’s like this all happened overnight.”
“He was a guest at my birthday party,” I answered carefully. “The son of one of my father’s friends. It happened so fast, I guess I just…haven’t had time to catch you up.”
There was no way I was going to tell Grace, or anyone, that it was an arranged marriage.
“I can’t believe I was just laying around in Ibiza while you were pouncing on this guy! A Zoric! I’m never taking a vacation again. Tell me his brother is single. I couldn’t get him alone.”
“Luka? I’m pretty sure he is,” I said. “Although I don’t think he’d be into anything exclusive. But you never know. I’ll put in a good word.”
“You’re the best!” Grace squealed, wrapping her arms around my legs. “Listen, I’m gonna head back out to the party, but call me soon ‘cause I wanna hear about all the deets. Especially after tonight.” She winked.
“Let’s not talk about that,” I said, dropping my face into my hands.
“Tori Lindsey,” Grace hissed. “Are you seriously telling me you still haven’t given up your V card? To that man out there? The one you just freakingmarried?”
My silence was answer enough.
Confusion, and then understanding, dawned on her face.
“Ohhhh. It’s all making sense now.” She nodded slowly. “He has a virginity kink! God Tori, you lucked out. Not that it was luck. I can’t believe all those years of chastity finally paid off. Go you! Wait. Does this mean you guys haven’t even—”
“Oh wow. I am so tired,” I cut in, humiliated beyond repair. “I think I should—
“Gah! Don’t worry, I’m leaving. I know you need to save your strength,” Grace teased, slipping back into her shoes. “Just remember, lube is your friend. That’s the one piece of advice I wish someone had given me. And don’t forget to call me. Love you!”
She scurried away, shutting the door behind her and leaving me in silence again.
I was anxious, but also felt like I could actually fall asleep right on that sofa. I was still decompressing from all the excitement. Maybe I’d better grab a coffee. I was going to be up all night with Stefan, wasn’t I? My pulse raced just thinking about it.
Grace was right about one thing, though. Things had happened fast. Despite being crazy attracted to Stefan, we’d barely seen—or gotten to know—each other during the engagement. After my party he’d returned to Chicago for work, and I had stayed in Springfield, preparing to start at UChicago in the fall.
Michelle had planned everything within two months, which would’ve been impossible without the help of my father’s contacts and the Zoric family connections. I had never seen her so thrilled, or so busy. Truthfully, I had been more excited about college than planning a wedding, so it was a relief to let other people take care of all the details.
I’d had no say in any of it, including my dress, which my stepmother had knocked out of the ballpark. It was a sophisticated column of silk with a plunging but tastefully narrow neckline and tiny pearl buttons down the back—the perfect mix of classic and modern. If I had felt like Cinderella on the night of my birthday party, well, I looked like a queen tonight.
It seemed like Stefan had thought so as well.
The wedding had been my first look at how much money and influence his family truly commanded. If they wanted it, money was no object. Michelle wanted my dress to be made by a Serbian designer in honor of my new husband’s heritage? She had gotten it. She wanted the whole event catered by Chicago’s hottest new chef? Check, check, double check. Every event, from the engagement party to the reception, had taken place at the most exclusive, upscale hotels in the city—all properties owned by Stefan’s family. All I had needed to do was show up, put the dress on, smile for photos and kiss the groom.
Still, I remembered what Stefan had told me that first night, about living life for me.
I was excited for all the ways my life was about to change.
And nervous as well.
I had hoped that Stefan and I would have gotten a chance to get to know each other during the engagement. That we’d at least talk on the phone or send flirty texts once in a while. A part of me had even hoped that he might take some time out of his busy schedule to come visit and take me on a date.
It was terrifying to realize I had just married a man I’d never gone out to dinner with. Besides that one dance at my birthday party, we’d barely spoken to each other.
I knew I shouldn’t be disappointed—in essence, this was going to be a marriage in name only—but still, I had allowed myself to get swept up in the romance of the evening we met. I had allowed myself to imagine a fairytale life with my husband, where we started out as strangers and ended up falling in love. Or, at least, falling into lust.
Because I knew what was expected of a wife. It was the hardest part of this deal to swallow, knowing I was about to give myself, body and soul, to a stranger.
At least I didn’t have to worry about being attracted to him.
Stefan on our wedding day was a sight to behold, waiting for me down the aisle in a midnight black tux that accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He looked like a god.
