Page 37 of Promised Vows

“That’s Wren’s favorite shade. If she’s got dresses that complement this, I’m cool with it.”

“Okay. As for a bra…”

I gave her my bra size and began unzipping the dress. Off the shoulder, fitted like a mermaid with ruche detailing that flowed across the bodice to one side and a flare one-quarter down. Fitted and flared, exactly like Shanna described.

I waited for my bridal assistant to return, and she helped me into it. Admittedly, I may have stared at myself a little longer than was healthy, admiring what God gave me. The dress was on point.

The moment I reached my party, I knew I was getting it. I loved it and the gushes and oohs and ahs were exactly what I wanted. Ari was going to love this on me. This was the one. I nearly cried. Maybe my luck was turning around.

“Wow,” Aunt Helen said as she and Thea approached. “This is gorgeous. It fits your body so well.”

“I think we’ll need to take it in a tiny bit in the waist, but overall, it’s almost like it was made for you,” Shanna said. “Hold on, I’ll be right back.” She returned a moment later with a veil. It was a long piece of sheer organza fabric with a comb attached. “You’re a hair-up bride, aren’t you?”

With that veil? I sure would be. It was perfect. “Yeah.”

Holy crap. I was doing this. I was marrying Ari Kalantzis and I wasn’t even mad anymore. As if that would have mattered anyway. I may not have been deep in our family business, but I’d been groomed as a kid that Papa was boss and once Jason stepped into his place, he would be boss. Everyone in the family did as they were directed.

Still, I’d gone from livid to excited in three weeks. If someone wanted to hand me the title of Mayor of Crazy Town, I wouldn’t even argue. Give me the sash, baby, facts are facts.

I returned to the dressing room, stripped off the dress, and had put my shirt back on when I got a whim to text Ari.

I found the one.

An instant text returned.

Hot?

Of course. If your jaw doesn’t drop, I’ll check your temperature ‘cause you’re unwell.

He returned my text with a laughing emoji.

I don’t doubt it’ll have me thinking unholy thoughts as you walk down the aisle.

Oh, crap. I hadn’t even thought about the wedding night. Was it a good time to maybe mention that I wasn’t all that experienced? Yes, I dated, and yes, guys had made it past first base, but there’d been no World Series yet. Did I want to have that conversation over text? Could I face him and tell him without dying of embarrassment? I puffed a piece of hair out of my face as I debated.

That was an in-person, face-to-face topic. His favorite meal was veal with risotto. I hadn’t cooked that yet because I didn’t have the ingredients. I’d use carbs and beef to soften the blow. Before he picked me up, I’d stop by the store. Then I’d cook us dinner and afterwards, I’d tell him our wedding night might be…interesting.

Another text from Ari popped up.

I’ve missed you today.

He missed me. Why did that give my heart a jolt?

I’ve missed you too. I should be done in about an hour. Wanna pick me up, say an hour and a half in front of Stake’s Grocery? I’m going to try to cook veal with risotto tonight.

Can I come with you?

Okay, I’ll text you when I’m done at the dress shop.

See you then, sweetheart.

Sweetheart. I liked that term better than baby. The word wrapped around me like a verbal hug.

I like that term.

What I thought was an internal monologue was typed out and sent before I realized what I was doing.

It fits you.

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