Stefania cuts her off. “Might as well tell her the truth.”
My stomach takes a rollercoaster ride, twisting and turning with the thought I’m not Draven’s first bride, that he’s had many wives before me, so they keep a selection on hand for last minute nuptials.
“How do I explain this without sounding crazy?” Lina taps a red nail on her chin.
Stefania giggles. “I don’t think you can.”
“Fine.” Lina pulls a blush-colored gown from her rack and drops it on the settee. “Someday, I hope to find someone to spend the rest of my life with and having a few already purchased will save me time.”
Stefania shakes her head. “You just like to shop.” She looks at me. “She has a wedding dress obsession.”
This makes Lina’s entire face light up with laughter. “True. So which do you like, Allison?”
Right, my wedding. I appraise the dresses once more, moving closer to what looks like a vintage number all the way in the back. The satin and lace dress looks like something straight out of a gothic romance novel.
“Wow, this is beautiful. Can I try it on?”
“Of course,” Lina says.
I move away and step into the bathroom to try the dress on, and once the ladies zip the back, I stare into the mirror in awe. It’s a perfect fit. The off-the-shoulder bodice, covered in pearl beads and crystals, flows down my body into a train fit for a queen.
I look older, more mature. I look like I’m in love, ready to marry the man of my dreams, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
This wicked matrimony I’m being forced into is anything but romantic.
“That dress was made for you,” Lina says. “It’s breathtaking.”
“I love it.”
I run my fingers over the beaded bodice as Stefania plays with my hair, styling it in an updo atop my head. “I think it looks amazing. What do you think, dear?”
“I don’t really know. I’ve never really thought about getting married before now.”
I know most girls will say they’ve been planning their wedding since they were old enough to play with Bride Barbie, but that was never me. With poor role models for a marriage, I never felt like a husband was in my immediate future.
Sure, one day. Way down the road. After college, when I finish my master’s degree. But not now, not at the age of twenty-one. I’m barely old enough to drink, and here I am getting married to a man I don’t even know.
“That’s ok, dear,” Lina soothes with an easy smile. “You’re going to be a beautiful bride soon.”
Since we’re all going to pretend this wedding is normal, it seems like a suitable time to ask about the woman I saw Draven with last night. “It’s a shame Draven has to marry me when he obviously has a girlfriend.” I can’t fathom why Draven would offer to marry me when his girlfriend probably isn’t too keen on the idea.
I mean, how could she be?
“Girlfriend?” Lina asks. “Draven isn’t the type of man who has girlfriends.”
“He had someone in his room last night. He was kissing her neck.” I pace the room, grinding my teeth. Oh, god. It’s worse than I thought. A booty call. Draven had some booty call in his room.
A look of what appears to be concern passes between Lina and Stefania. “I wouldn’t worry too much about her,” Stefania says, waving off my revelation with a flick of her pale wrist.
“I guess.” I stop moving, stretching my neck from side to side. If this were a real wedding, I would be genuinely concerned about my ??fiancé making out with another woman, but I don’t care if Draven has fifty whores he wants to play with all night long. As long as he never touches me.
This isn’t a real marriage, and even though I must pretend it is, I need to keep reminding myself that it is very much not real.
Seven
Draven
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