Page 33 of Sin and Seduction

“It might actually fit you perfectly. And I’d love to see it brought to life again,” she says warmly, and I look to Gabriela.

“Is this okay with you? I wasn’t sure what you had in mind for when you—”

“It’s completely okay, Emmie. My mother's style hasn’t always been one I agreed with, no offense,” she says, and Camila rolls her eyes.

“The bathroom is right around the corner. Let me know if you need help,” she says, and I thank her, taking the dress with me and into her large, marble bathroom.

I strip out of my clothes and heels and step into the dress. The train is incredibly long, but it’s form-fitting, so my legs and feet don’t get lost in it. I pull it up and see that this is a dress that can’t be worn with a bra. When I glance at the mirror, I am rendered speechless.

The thin straps are made completely of crystal, and the v neck goes all the way down to my sternum. It fits my body like a glove and shows off curves that I didn’t even know I had. I spin and look at the back, which is completely open and stops just at the top of my butt. This dress is a dream, and I know Dante would love me in it, even more so since it has sentimental value.

I gather the train and walk back into the closet, finding Camila on the phone and Gabriela fidgeting with her long nails.

“That will be perfect. I’ll send the guest list and addresses over now,” Camila says before ending the call and turning to Gabriela and me.

“I have the invitations being prepped for send-out. They will be ready tomorrow—”

She stops when she sees me, and her eyes water instantly. Gabriela looks up, her mouth agape.

“If you don’t like it, I still can try on the other—”

“No, no. It’s...it’s perfect,” Camila says, wiping her eyes and walking toward me, looking me up and down in her dress.

“It’s like it was made for you…” Gabriela whispers, smiling at me.

“I’m so glad to see it again,” Camila says before sniffing the rest of her tears back and grabbing my hands.

“You look stunning, Esmeralda,” she says earnestly, and I try not to get choked up.

“You think Dante will like it?” I whisper.

“I think he’ll have a hard time controlling his hands.” Gabriela giggles, and her mom shushes her, making me laugh.

“My mom would’ve liked it,” I whisper as I look at myself in the long mirror on the far wall, wishing she could see me.

“If there’s one thing I know about loved ones leaving, it is that they’re never really gone. They forever live in here,” Camilia touches my forehead, tucking a hair behind my ear. “And here,” she gestures to the space where my heart lies, making me nod with tear-filled vision.

“Thank you, Camila. For everything,” I whisper, and she smiles at me.

“Thank you for bringing my son back to me,” she says before wiping her eyes for the last time.

* * *

We put the dress in a garment bag, and Maria took it for dry cleaning. Marianne is bringing shoes and veils for me to choose when she gets in tomorrow. We all head back toward the kitchen, and I stop when I hear the doorbell ring. Maria rushes to answer, and I can’t hold back my squeal of excitement when I see Ricky and his parents appear in the doorway.

“Oh, my god,” I scream as I run to them, hugging them each and sobbing with joy. I cling to Ricky’s mom and sob, missing her warmth and comfort.

She holds me tight as I weep. I unleash all of my emotions built up from the past few months of my life into her arms, and she takes it all, holding me like a child and giving me exactly what I need. After minutes go by and my tears subside, I step back and she wipes my face as she looks at me.

“My little Emmie, all grown up,” she says with a kind smile, her eyes old and wrinkly behind her glasses.

She pets my face as Ricky kisses my hand, and his dad, George, clasps my shoulder.

“I thought you guys weren’t coming for a couple more days?” I ask.

“I figured I’d surprise you with an early wedding gift,” Camila says with a smile, stepping forward and stretching her hand out to shake theirs.

“My God, I’m so sorry! Camila, this is my best friend Ricky and his parents, George and Michele,” I say as she shakes their hands.

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