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Perla bit her lip. ‘I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know where we’ll live or even if we’ll live together. Because Ari has chosen not to discuss it with me.’ Tears surged in her throat and she whirled away from Brianna’s concerned stare. Blindly, she reached for the first thing that came to hand and pulled out a burnished orange slip dress. ‘This one?’
Brianna nodded. ‘It’s the perfect thing to go shopping in.’
Perla froze. ‘Shopping?’
‘You’re getting married tomorrow. The least you can do is invest in some knock-out lingerie that’ll blow Ari’s mind. A woman can’t have too many weapons in her arsenal.’
‘That depends on what she’s fighting for,’ Perla murmured. Dropping her dressing gown, she slipped the dress over her head. The cotton felt cool against her skin and the colour lifted her spirits a fraction.
‘Don’t give up so easily, Perla. You’ve come too far to stop now. If you want Ari, make him stand up and take notice. Sometimes it’s the only way to win against strong-willed men.’ Her expression held a determination Perla couldn’t help but admire. ‘Are you ready?’
With a last look in the mirror, she pursed her lips. ‘Almost.’ She dashed back to her room and dug through her handbag until she found it. Uncapping the scarlet lipstick she’d worn the night she met Ari, she boldly smoothed it over her lips.
Brianna was waiting for her on the deck. Her eyes widened, then her smile grew. ‘Now, you’re definitely ready. Let’s go.’
The shops weren’t as sophisticated as those on the mainland but they provided an eclectic mix that satisfied her immediate needs.
Perla bought two sundresses, one yellow, one green, and a pair of low-heeled sandals. Against her protests, Brianna dragged her to a wedding shop with every intention of forcing her to buy lingerie.
But Perla froze as she spotted a dress on the hanger. The simple cream Greek goddess-style dress could pass for evening-wear or wedding dress. The front was plain and sleeveless and its halter neck design would keep her cool in the Santorini heat. But it was the back that took her breath away.
The lace pattern travelled down the middle of the back and held the skirt that hugged the hips and flared to the floor in a tiny train.
‘Wow. With your hair caught up, that dress would look gorgeous on you. Provided, of course, you want to look fabulous for your wedding day,’ Brianna teased.
Curbing her indecision, Perla bought the dress. ‘Can we go now?’
‘Just one more stop.’ They went two doors away and entered the most unique shop Perla had ever seen. Scent candles in all shapes and colours stood on pedestals while incense burned from assorted sticks. ‘Sakis calls this my juju shop. I tend to get my way a lot when I burn a few candles on certain nights.’ She laughed.
Forcing a smile, Perla felt herself sinking deeper into misery.
Leaving Brianna to make her selection, she browsed the shop. As she made her way to the front, she met a woman in her early thirties. The hostile look she sent her stopped Perla in her tracks.
A torrent of Greek followed, to which Perla shook her head and shrugged.
Brianna turned sharply and frowned. The woman continued to speak, her voice growing louder.
‘I’m sorry, I don’t understand.’
Brianna rushed forward and grasped her hand. ‘Come on, let’s go.’
‘What’s she saying?’
Brianna shook her head. ‘It doesn’t matter.’ She hurried out of the shop.
‘Yes, it does. You know what she was saying.’
‘My Greek isn’t that great,’ she said, but Perla caught her guilty look.
She came to a dead stop on the pavement. ‘But you understood enough. Tell me, please.’
Brianna’s lips pursed and a look of unease crossed her face. ‘The whole island knows that Ari is getting married again. His wife, Sofia, was from a large family here in Santorini. I think that woman was her cousin. They know he’s marrying a redhead and I guess she thought it was you.’
‘Well, she was right. What exactly did she say?’
Brianna grimaced. ‘I think she said... God, if I get this wrong and Ari finds out, not even Sakis can save me.’
Ice trailed up Perla’s spine. ‘What did she say?’ she demanded.
‘She said Ari and Sofia’s love was a match made in heaven; the love of the century. She said...’
‘What?’
‘She said Ari will never love you the way he loved her.’
