Page 52 of Something Blue

“I can’t believe this is happening again.” I sigh in frustration.

“I can’t believe it either. It’s so fucked up.” She huffs, sitting next to me, also getting her hair done.

“Dalila, please don’t let this ruin our friendship.” I glance at her reflection in the mirror. Our eyes meeting in the silver sheet of glass.

She bites her lip, rolls her eyes and shrugs. “It’s not you I’m angry with. It’s my brother.”

“So - you don’t hate me?” I ask tensely.

She laughs. “No. Dumbass.”

I reach out and take her hand, squeezing it, smiling at her. “I am so happy you are here with me - again. I need you today.”

“I’m glad I can be here for you, babe. I wish my father had listened to me.”

And I wish I could be more honest with my friend.

I wish I could tell her I’m less nervous about today’s wedding, about marrying her brother, than I was about marrying Damion. I wish I could tell her I’m a little bit excited, even though I’m angry, I’m looking forward to seeing where this leads.

But I can’t tell her that - and a huge part of the reason I can’t tell her is that I can’t admit it to myself yet.

I’m still aggressively denying my attraction to him, even though I can’t keep my eyes off him when he’s near me. The things he’s been doing to me.Undressing me and lying with his body pressed against mine - his forceful nature - the darkness in his eyes. It’s all driving me crazy with desire. I want him. I don’t want to want him, but I have to have him.

It’s so complicated.

And in a few hours we are going to be married.

“At least the groom is here.” Dalila chuckle and her mouth drops open in horror. “Oh my word, Neve, I’m so sorry that was a terrible joke. I can’t believe I said that, I have absolutely no filter on my brain sometimes?—”

I giggle. She pauses, pressing her lips closed. Then she laughs too.

“You’re not wrong.” I laugh even harder and the make-up artists sighs.

“Ohwhatever, it’s my wedding I can do whatever I want.” I snap at her.

She straightens her shoulders and nods. “Yes, no, I didn’t mean?—”

Dalila laughs again, and itsets me off.

After a good five minutes of laughing I feel so much better.

It’s an incredible way to get rid of tension.

With our make-up done all we need to do is put our dresses on. Dalila in a pastel blue bridesmaid dress that looks magnificent on her - and me in a wedding dress that Celso chose for me. And to my surprise it’s perfect. I love it. He gave me three options, they all got delivered to my hotel room early this morning, but this is the one that screamed my name.

It has thin spaghetti straps, and a low dipped front, showing off some cleavage. The back dips even lower than the front though showing off my back all the way down to the curve right before my butt. It’s comfortable, elegant, timeless, and it makes me feel like a princess.

I can breathe in it which was the most important thing for me. I grin as I slip it up over my body and adjust the straps. Looking in the mirror at myself with Dalila standing behind me, I have a moment where I am happy.

I’m calm and excited and - happy. Which is so unexpected.

“You are so beautiful I think I’m going to cry.” She mumbles.

“Don’t the make-up artist already left.” I giggle.

“Ok. I’m going to go check on everything and see if they’re ready. You take a moment alone and - do whatever - I won’t be long.

She hurries out of the room. But almost as soon as the door closes I hear it open again.

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