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I’ve been dreading this ever since Antonio told me about my marriage alliance to Salvatore. I’ve dreamed of my wedding dress since I was five, but that was with the assumption I’d marry for love. Being forced into a marriage really puts a damper on the whole wedding dress thing.
This time, it’s not just Mom and me. Mia and Gemma have joined us. And as usual, Theo, too. He keeps his normal pace behind us, staying multiple feet behind but always close enough to rush forward in case any one of us is in danger.
After getting situated inside the bridal boutique, we wander off to look at dresses. Mom and Mia take one corner of the shop, leaving Gemma and me to check out the other. I notice that Theo stays closer to me, and the happiness that exudes from me could light up a town.
“What about this?” Gemma asks, showing me a mermaid style dress.
“No. That’s much more you.”
“Huh.” Gemma looks it over. “Yeah, you’re right. In fact, I wore a similar dress when I married Viktor.”
“How was that? You didn’t want to marry him.”
“You’re right. I didn’t. But he had this strange charm about him that drew me in and made him irresistible. So, in the end, it wasn’t such a bad thing.”
I pick out a simple white dress with no lace or frills, but it’s not for me. I put it back. “Is this your way of giving me advice?”
“Am I that obvious?”
“Yeah, you kind of are. And it’s nice of you, but it won’t help me. Viktor is handsome and young. Salvatore is ugly and old.”
Gemma shows me a bohemian dress, and I shake my head. “A better person would say it’s not all about looks,” she says, shoving the dress back onto the rack. “But I’m not a better person, and yes, attraction is a huge part of a relationship. If you can’t even stand the thought of your husband touching you, then you’re doomed.”
“Great. Can you tell that to Antonio?”
“I’d like to smack some sense into him. I kind of hate how he’s younger than me, yet is my boss. He’s technically Viktor’s boss now. It’s strange.”
The next dress I grab is princess style. The bodice is covered in detailed lace with a sweetheart neckline, and the skirt flows like a princess dream. It’s straight out of my fairytale imaginings as a kid.
Gemma offers a nod of approval. “That’s definitely more you.”
I try it on in the dressing room, and the sight of myself in the gorgeous gown makes me want to cry. This dress was supposed to make me happy. Now, it’s only a reminder I’m not getting the wedding of my dreams.
I walk out to show my family the dress. My mom and sister give me endless compliments, which just succeeds in making me even sadder. When I look at Theo, standing behind my family, I catch him watching me.
He looks at me like he’s seeing me for the very first time. His eyes are soft, and his mouth his slack jawed. He looks like a man in love.
I suck in a quick breath, feeling overwhelmed. I hurry off the stage, but my high heels catch on the ledge, and I start to fall forward.
But before I can hit the grown, strong arms warp around me. Theo. He caught me.
I gasp as I look up at him. His big arms are holding me close, making it hard for me to think, let alone breathe. I’ve never been touched like this by Theo.
He stares down at me with that soft expression. “Are you all right?” he asks in a low voice so only I can hear.
I nod, unable to speak. My hands grip his arms. The strength of his body is overpowering. I could sink into him forever, and it would never be enough.
“You caught me,” I finally say.
“I did.”
We stare at each other, almost like we’re in our own world. It’s not until my mom clears her throat that the moment breaks.
Theo’s stoic expression comes back with a vengeance, and he immediately lets me go. I wobble for a second, then right myself.
Without another word or look at me, he turns back to my family. Mis is on her phone without a care in the world. Gemma is giving me a sneaky smile. And Mom is looking between Theo and me with a worried expression. It’s her face that makes me realize Theo and I just shared a moment and how wrong that was.
Before anyone can comment on what happened, I hurry back to the dressing room. I wiggle out of the dress and lay it on the ground reverently. This is my dream dress, but I can’t wear it now. Not when I shared a special moment with Theo in it. I’ll have to choose another dress to marry Salvatore in. Salvatore doesn’t get to marry me in my dream wedding dress. That’s reserved only for Theo in my dreams.
