Page 24 of Pretty Poison

His eyes flick up to mine in an instant. “I wasn’t aware you had any siblings.” His words carry an unspoken question.

“An older brother,” I smile the words. “I haven’t seen him in years because of Gabriel. He didn’t exactly agree with his life choices back then, and I doubt he’s changed his mind since. It would be nice to see him again.”

He nods. “Do you think he’d actually show up?” he asks, softening his tone and putting the pen down. “It has been years, Liana. Sometimes—”

“I’d like him to at least have the choice,” I interrupt. “I’d like to rekindle our relationship. I mean, it’s not like I had any say in him disappearing from my life. While it’s not a day either one ofus wants to commemorate, it’s still my wedding day and I’ll be kicking myself if I don’t at least try to have him there.”

“Okay,” he breathes out. “Did you have an address for him?”

“Uhm, no… But I’ve sent him a message, so I hope to see him before the wedding anyway.”

He pushes the file aside and clears his throat, clasping his hands together again. “Now, on to your attire for the night. My mother and Mrs C have agreed to take you shopping for a dress. Kat might join you if she’s feeling better, but it’s most likely she won’t be.”

“That’s fine,” I say, feigning a pleasant tone, biting back the urge to hurl. “Their company will be fine. Plus, they’ve both been married before, so I’m sure they’ll offer good insight into a dress that will be suitable, and they know you well, I presume. So, they’ll also be able to match your taste.”

“That’s not necessary,” he quips. “You have the freedom to choose whatever dress you like best.”

He waits for my response, but I remain silent. I don’t want to choose a dress for me… or for him, for that matter, but I know it’s something I have to do.

“Floral arrangements, decorations and catering are all being taken care of by outside sources. My parents, grandparents and Mrs C are helping with those arrangements. All you have to focus on is putting on the dress and showing up on time.”

“Is that all?” I ask, my body itching to leave.

“Not quite,” he says. “Would you be opposed to a honeymoon straight after the wedding? It’s something that’s expected—you know, going out in public as a newly married couple, faking our love and happiness.”

“How soon after the wedding is considered ‘straight after’?”

“A day or two.”

“And where would we go?”

“Where would you like to go, Liana?”

I shrug. “I don’t know, somewhere nice, maybe.”

“Isn’t there somewhere you’d like to go? Anywhere in the world?”

“France,” I say without hesitation. “Paris, to be specific.” Even after all Gabriel has done, his stories from my childhood have stuck with me. It sounds like a beautiful place, one I wanted to witness with the love of my life, and while Dario isn’t that, this is the only chance I’ll have to visit the sights.

He nods, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “Then Paris it is. I’ll arrange everything.”

“Is that everything?” I ask again, bracing my hands on the armrests.

“For now, yes. You’re free to leave, Liana.”

“I’ll see you later?” I ask without thinking. It sounds desperate, like Iwantto see him later.

“You’ll be out all afternoon, Liana… I don’t think you’ll want to see me. It’ll be a long day. Besides, I have a few things to organise myself.”

“Okay,” I say, excusing myself from his office.

As the door clicks shut behind me, I release a pent-up breath of relief, but it comes out shaky and scattered. Something within me screams that we left the conversation unfinished. I had nothing to say when I sat across from him, but now, I wish I’d said more. Anything to be in his presence a little longer. There’ssomething about Dario that I can’t quite place, but he makes me feel seen in a way I’ve never been seen before. He might be a bad person, but something within me says that beneath his rough and cold exterior, there’s a man that is just as desperate as I am to feel something raw and real.

I could be wrong, though. I’ve never been good at reading people, only seeing what I want to see… And that’s been proven.

Twelve

LIANA

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