Page 25 of Innocent Union
“No, it’s not,” Killian says, seemingly unfazed by Lucia’s attitude. “A person’s favorite animal can reveal a lot about themselves. For example, mine is a tiger. Because I love how strong they are. How they’d be willing to go the distance to protect the ones they love. They’re also more solitary. I’m not the biggest people-person, so I can relate.”
“I can see it,” I tell him.
He points at me. “See? Now, what’s yours?”
“Ok. Um … giraffe?”
“Is that a question?”
I clear my throat. “No. Giraffes. I love how elegant they are. There’s nowhere for them to hide in the wild, but they aren’t afraid of most things. They’re so beautiful.”
Killian keeps his eyes locked with mine. “I agree. Giraffes are beautiful.” Even though he’s talking about giraffes, I can’t help but wonder if he’s talking about me, too.
CHAPTER 6
Mia
“Idon’t like it,” my mom says, nodding at the mermaid-style wedding dress I’m wearing. “It doesn’t suit you.”
I sigh and walk back to the dressing rooms to try on another dress. I thought wedding dress shopping would be a lot more fun, but my mom hasn’t liked anything I’ve tried on yet.
“I thought that one was nice,” I hear Gemma say as I walk away. She joined me for dress shopping this time, stating she couldn’t miss the drama.
“Me, too,” comes another voice. Cecilia. She insisted on coming with us, even though I didn’t want her to. I’m not ready to make nice with Cecilia just yet. So far, Killian has seemed to solve my problems, but that doesn’t mean anything yet. We’re not married. I haven’t gotten my happy ending. Anything could happen from now until the wedding day.
As I take off my dress and try on another one, all I can think about is how unworthy I feel. Of love. Of happiness. It’s like a dream on the tip of my fingers, so close and yet out of reach. I don’t dare trust this is actually happening. That I’m right here, right now, trying on wedding dresses to marry Killian Brennan. He’s still a mystery to me in so many ways. So far, all I knowabout him is that he loves tigers and the color pink. A strange combination, but I’m fascinated. He seems fascinated with me, too, but I’m struggling to believe it.
What’s so special about me?
I look at myself in the mirror with a new dress on. This one is a more traditional style. But I still feel like an imposter. All my older sisters looked stunning in their gowns, and I feel like a frump. Nothing is quite perfect with me. There’s always something off.
I come back out to show off my gown to my mom, who takes one look at it and shakes her head. “You can do better.”
I huff, my hands flapping at my sides. “Mom. I’m not sure anything will be better. I just want to find a dress and go home.”
“You want a magical wedding, don’t you?” she asks.
“Why do you care? You’re against this wedding.”
“I’m not against you getting married. Just against you marrying Killian. But I still want you to look lovely on your day, so I’m going to help you find the perfect dress, and Mia, that isn’t it.”
I blink back the tears threatening to fall over. “What do you think?” I ask Gemma.
“I think it looks … good.”
“Even you don’t like it?” I ask.
Gemma’s face wavers. “Sorry. It’s just … ok. I agree with Mom. You could do better.”
I start to walk away when Cecilia asks, “Don’t you want to hear my opinion?”
“Not really,” I grumble under my breath.
“What?” she asks.
I turn back to her. “Fine. Go ahead. What do you think of the dress?”
“I think it’s nice. Very classic.”
