Page 64 of Inevitable

“But,” I start to argue when he cuts me off by crushing his mouth against mine. I groan and melt into him as I dig my fingers into his hair. He pulls away and kisses me sweetly before brushing his lips across my jaw and up to my ear.

“Non-negotiable, Angel. We will be married in 1 month. Better get to it,” he says with a wink.

“Stronzo,” I mutter. He shoots me a disapproving look before he starts laughing.

“Oh, my angel. Only you could say that to me and live to tell the tale.” He tsks as he saunters to the bathroom.

“Well get used to it!” I holler, “I have a feeling I will be saying it more often!”

-

I spend hours calling venues caterers and event coordinators and they are all booked. Of course, they are because only insane people try to plan a wedding in 1 month. I huck my notebook against the wall and let out a frustrated grunt. Luca strides in and looks at me confused.

“What’s wrong Angel?” I turn to him and my eyes go wild as I realize that if he wasn’t so damn stubborn everything would be fine4.

“You! This is your fault you crazy person. We can’t have a wedding in a month. Everyone and everywhere is booked so you are going to have to get over your ridiculous timeline.” He simply rolls his eyes at me like I am the one who is being absurd.

“Did you tell them it was the wedding for Luca Mariano?”

“No, why would they care.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Oh, Angel. You have no clue what kind of clout the Mariano name holds in this city. Give me the names and numbers of all the places and people you want. I will take care of the rest.”

Does he seriously think he can bully his way into making people cater to our every need. This man needs a reality check, I don’t care how powerful he is.

True to his word though, by the end of the night we have the confirmed venue of my choice, caterer, band and a wedding planner named Elaine who is taking care of the rest of the details. He even set up several dress shop appointments for me to go to with Kiki. All of the shops have assured that they will have any dress I choose altered and ready for the big day. Well, I guess marrying a Mariano has some perks.

That weekend Kiki and I go to the bridal shops and I try on dress after dress but none of them are right. I slump into the chair at lunch and have officially accepted defeat after we left our 4th failed shop.

“I give up. I officially don’t care anymore,” I groan.

Kiki gives me a sympathetic smile as she takes a sip of her champagne as she looks through the menu. “Well, what about one of your dresses?” She asks.

“What are you talking about?”

“One of your designs. What if we could get one of those made?”

“You are ridiculous, it could never be done in time.”

As I lean back into my chair, I start to think about how amazing it would be to wear one of my designs. I have spent all day comparing every dress I even glanced at to one idea I have in my head. It’s my favorite design that I have ever created, it would be perfect.

“Sweetie, never say never. How many designers and seamstresses do we know? Trust me it can be done.”

I look up at her with doubt filled eyes.

“Would that make you happy?” She asks softer this time.

I swallow and nod my head. She pats my hand and gives me a sweet smile. “Then consider it done. Come on, let's go home and you can show me what you are picturing and I will start making calls.”

After we finished going over my design and every detail we could possibly think of Kiki and I both started calling anyone and everyone we know, most of who agreed to work on different parts of my dress so it can be put together in time. The design is based off one my mother drew on a scratch piece of paper one day when she was in the hospital. I added a few details, but the main concept is all her. I think back to that day I spent with her. We were talking about the things she wouldn’t get to see when she was gone and my wedding was brought up.

5 years ago

Mom slid a piece of paper over to me and gave me a soft smile.

“What is this?” I ask as I pull the paper closer to me.

“Your wedding dress, well, what I picture you in. I think something like this would look beautiful on you,” she says lovingly before bringing her hand up to my cheek. “You will be beautiful in anything though sweetheart. I just wish I could be there to see you in it.” Tears start to cloud her beautiful green eyes and I begin to choke up as well.

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