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There was only dread.
This was it. The day part of my life ended and everything I’d ever dreamed of being—mostly Mrs. DeLuca—slipped out of my grasp. Whenever I stopped the wheels from spinning and comprehended what I was about to do and exactly who would be waiting for me at the end of that long aisle, my heart started racing, my chest tightened, and I struggled to take in air.
My vision blurred.
I was in a full-on panic.How can I get out of this? What the hell am I doing?
My dad, my dad, my dad, I chanted as I willed myself to calm down.
After I inhaled deep breaths before blowing them out slowly, my heart attempted to return to a normal speed. My body, which had started to break out into a cold sweat, stopped.
I closed my eyes tight and got a handle on my thoughts and emotions. If there was one thing I was good at doing, it was compartmentalizing. I could close things out of my mind and pretend they weren’t happening with the best of them. Dominic always called it my superpower. I called it denial. Regardless of which one it was, it worked. And right now, I needed it to work more than ever.
There was a quick knock on the door before it creaked opened slightly as my dad’s voice asked, “Can I come in?”
“Of course,” I answered, my body already ten times calmer than it had been a moment before.
I can do this. I have to do this.
“Hey, sweet pea.” He entered the room, his eyes sweeping across the small space before landing on me with a mixture of awe and sadness in his expression.
He was going to make me lose it and ruin my makeup if he didn’t stop looking at me like that.
“You look so handsome, Dad,” I gushed.
I’d never seen him in a tuxedo before. Before I could compliment him more, I reminded myself that we were only here because I was being blackmailed, and instead of going soft inside, I hardened.
“Thank you.” He stepped toward me and reached for my hand, taking it in his. “I know this isn’t real, but, gosh, you look so beautiful. You look just like your mom.”
“Dad,” I warned, needing him to stop. “Don’t make me cry. Not today. Not for this.” It was the admittance I hadn’t given him before even though he had always sensed the truth.
I sucked in another steadying breath, and my resolve cemented. Tears weren’t acceptable. This wasn’t a joyous occasion, and we both knew it. I’d be faking it the rest of the day for hundreds of people; I refused to pretend when it was just the two of us.
“You don’t have to do this. Whoever you’re protecting, it’s not worth it. Even if you’re protecting me, Dove.” He reached for my shoulders and held me tight, forcing me to look him in the eyes. “We can leave right now.”
“I know, Dad.”
It was such a sweet offer, and I knew he meant it, but I could never do that to him.
“So, you want to get out of here?” He thumbed toward the door with a grin.
“I can’t.”
It wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear, but he’d expected it nonetheless. I could tell. His shoulders deflated before he stiffened back up. Maybe I’d gotten my resolve from him.
“I need to finish getting ready. Don’t forget to come back and get me.”
“Never.” He planted a soft kiss on my cheek before leaving me alone once again.
My thoughts drifted to Dominic, like they usually did. I’d never reached out and told him not to come today. Part of me knew that he wouldn’t have believed me if I’d said I hadn’t meant what I asked him to do. He’d definitely think it was some kind of game then, but he wouldn’t know which part I was playing. So, I had decided to say nothing and see what happened.
Plus, I wanted him to show up, proverbial guns blazing. Of course I wanted that. Dominic simply standing idly by while Imarriedsome other man made me want to break everything in this room. He’d never let that happen. This was my knight in shining armor we were talking about. My ride or die. My partner in crime. My other half. Mysoul mate. We did not exist apart. It didn’t work that way.
So, of course he would come. Of course he would do what I’d asked. Any other option was unfathomable.
And then I’d have to deal with the consequences.
A shadow crossed in front of one of the windows, drawing my attention toward it, and for a split second, I thought he was here. But when I stood up to look, there was nothing but tree branches and overgrown bushes.
