Page 28 of Marrying a Spy

Chapter Nine

Sophia stood inside of Madame Tremonte’s wedding dress shop the next day, staring at a giddy Kari, who was grabbing dress after dress off the rack and stacking them into the hands of their very enthusiastic stylist, Kirk. He was oohing and ahhing over everything Kari picked out.

Sophia had tried to tell Kari that this was a simple wedding. She had in fact used the phrase “not that big of a deal.” Kari had just tsked her and told her to move out of the way, she had shopping to do.

So here Sophia stood, rapidly losing control of her fake wedding.

“Come,” Kari commanded, leading the way over to the dressing room.

Once all the dresses were hung, she motioned for Sophia to take off her clothes.

Thankfully, Kirk told Kari to leave, that this part was his job. Sophia was grateful for some peace and quiet. If she were honest with herself, she needed to try on dresses alone.

Noah had been so aloof and distant last night that she wasn’t sure where she stood with him. He’d begun to open up to her at the ice cream shop only to shut down when he talked about Judy.

Judy.

Something had happened there. She was beginning to piece the information together. She’d wanted him to continue yesterday, but she’d seen that it was causing him physical pain, so she stopped him. Every time she came into town after her mom and Benny died, everyone asked her how she was doing. It had drained her more than anything.

So, to save him that, she’d told him to stop, that she didn’t need to know more.

“Honey, you ready?” Kirk asked, holding the dress open as he knelt down at her feet.

Her skin flushed with embarrassment as she stepped into the dress. The feeling of vulnerability rose up in her chest. How was she ever going to survive this? Every step they took toward the wedding was one step closer to seeing her father and caring for Noah. She was having to face fears that she’d held on to for so long.

But her inner turmoil didn’t stop Kirk. He slid the dress up and zipped it closed.

It was a mermaid cut with a plunging neckline. Definitely not her style.

“Kare,” she scolded, her voice loud enough to carry through the door.

“What?” Kari asked. Sophia could hear the laughter in her voice. “How are you ever going to show off that awesome body of yours if you never wear anything sexy,” Kari called back.

Sophia rolled her eyes and shifted the top of the dress up. “There’s a difference between hinting and just plain showing,” Sophia said as Kirk opened the door.

Kari’s eyes bugged when Sophia stepped out. “Soph, you look amazing.”

After turning a few times in front of the mirror, Sophia had to admit, it did accentuate all the right things. Heat raced across her skin as she thought about how Noah would feel if she wore this.

Would he like it? Hate it? Even though she tried to tell herself that he would be impartial, this was a fake marriage after all, she couldn’t help but think that he would appreciate it.

And that thought made her heart swell.

She chewed her lips as she closed her eyes for a moment. She shook her head. “I can’t, Kari. This is too much.” Grabbing her skirt and lifting the hem, she made her way back into the dressing room. She shut the door and took a few breaths.

“Are you okay?” Kirk called.

Sophia fought the tears that threatened to spill as she kept her hand resting on the door. She needed a minute to gather her thoughts before she could face the world. Pressing her hand against her stomach, she closed her eyes.

Breathe, Sophia, she told herself.

She could do this. She could be strong. If her father really did work for a bad man who was going to hurt a lot of people, it was her duty to stop him. After all, she would never be able to live with herself if she didn’t.

“I’ll get you some water,” Kirk said, his voice fading.

She nodded—to no one in particular—as she made her way over to the chair and sat down.

When Kirk returned, she felt better. Enough to allow him inside. After he helped her out of the dress, she asked him to find a simple, satin dress.

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