Page 34 of Sinful Lies

After the dress and accessories have been finalized and paid for, Bianca insists that she needs to get back home to Leo, leaving Emily and me to grab dinner together in the city.

We head over to Soho and find a spot to eat at one of my favorite Italian restaurants on West Broadway. There’s barely ten tables in the entire place, with red and white plastic tablecloths and cheap plastic flowers in vases, but it has character. Every inch of wall is covered in pictures of the family who have owned the place for generations.

Emily turns to me after the waiter has brought over our food. “Are you happy with your dress?”

“I am.” After giving myself a little pep talk, I found myself starting to enjoy the process of trying on dresses, if only to see the happiness on Bianca and Emily’s faces every time I stepped out of the dressing room.

“Dimitri is going to love it.” A knowing smile spreads on her face.

I roll my eyes as I tuck into my margarita pizza.

“So, what’s the deal once you’re married? Are you guys getting a place together in the city? I assume Dimitri’s not going to move into your tiny studio.” She chuckles.

“Uh, we haven’t discussed it.”

“Don’t you think you should?” Emily tucks into a slice of her pizza.

“I guess I’ll move in with him.”

“Lucky.” She sighs.

I frown as I pick at my food.

Our living situation isn’t something I’ve given much thought about, but Emily makes a good point. It would be weird if I didn’t move in with Dimitri.

Does he expect us to get our own place together? Or would I move into the penthouse? Would he be there all the time or would I be left to rattle around in some ridiculously huge mansion by myself?

Suddenly, I’m no longer hungry.

“And just think, if you have a baby pretty soon, it could be best friends with Leo, and I would get to be an auntie!”

“Emily…” My hands start to sweat.

“I could come over and babysit all the time, and we could go to the zoo or to the history museum?—”

“Juststop!” I slam my hand down on the table.

Emily flinches, and the people at the neighboring tables glance our way, but I don’t care.

“Zara?” Emily reaches across the table to take my hand. “What the hell is going on with you? You can talk to me.”

I shake my head, my throat thick with tears as I look at my sister. She’s so excited for this wedding and to be a bridesmaid, and now she’s even talking about kids.

How can I tell her it’s all a lie?

But this is so much bigger than just a wedding, this is mylife, and I might lose my mind if I don’t tell someone the truth, and I sure as hell can’t tell Bianca.

“Zara…”

“It’s all fake,” I blurt out.

Emily’s eyes widen for a moment as she stares at me. “What?”

“Dimitri, the marriage… It’s all fake.”

“I don’t understand.” Emily pulls her hand back. “How can it be fake? You have a ring, we just bought your wedding dress… I don’t understand.”

“Dimitri and I… We made a deal.”

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