Page 55 of Fake To Forever

As the consultant takes the dress and lingerie away to begin the alterations process, I turn to Marie, feeling a rush of gratitude for her support. Without her here to remind me of what’s really important, I might have walked away from something beautiful over a fear of indulgence.

Marie wraps an arm around my shoulders, squeezing gently. "Now, let’s celebrate. New York is at our feet, and we have a wedding dress to toast to!"

Laughing, we leave the boutique, my heart lighter than it's been in days. I'm marrying Christian, a man who's shown me kindness and generosity in a way I never expected, and I’m going to marry him in a dress that feels like a dream. With Marie by my side, reminding me to embrace the extraordinary life I’m stepping into, I feel ready to face whatever comes next, price tags and all.

***

From the moment we step out of the boutique with my wedding dress securely packed and waiting to be tailored, the city opens itself up to us like it’s ours to explore. Marie and I walk through the busy streets, I feel completely free, like I’m allowed to enjoy this moment without worrying about what’s next. We end the night with an exclusive dinner at a restaurant I know Christian called in for special reservations, and I soak in the clawfoot bathtub surrounded by candles before hitting the softest mattress I’ve ever laid on.

Saturday morning, we start our day with a luxurious spa session at the hotel—massages, facials, the works. I’ve never been pampered before. My skin glows, my muscles feel loose, and as I lay there with cucumbers over my eyes, I realize how much I needed this. Not just the spa, but the time to breathe, to justbewithout thinking about the wedding or the arrangement with Christian.

"This is heaven," Marie sighs from the lounge chair next to me.

"It really is," I agree, my mind wandering to Christian. He did this for me, for us, and I can't help but feel a swell of gratitude.

I can’t help but think of our night together and how passionate and attentive to me he was. How firm his touch was and how good his lips felt against mine. How he stretched me just right and was able to get so deep, there was a point at which I couldn’t tell where my body ended and his began. My cheeks flush and I feel a telltale tingle between my legs that has me squeezing my thighs together.

I can’t wait to get back home andthankhim for this trip.

Later, we wander through Central Park, stopping for coffee and pastries, chatting as we stroll along the tree-lined paths. Marie keeps teasing me about the wedding, and every time she brings it up, I feel a mix of excitement and anxiety, but it’s mostly excitement. At one point, we stop at a small cafe overlooking the park. I sip my cappuccino, staring at the busy streets and the skyline, wondering how my life got to this point.

“So, I need to tell you something,” I say.

Marie tilts her head, giving me a curious look. “What is it?”

“So, Christian and I… slept together.”

Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t look entirely surprised, just excited.

“You did?” She smiles and leans forward with her elbows on the table. “Oh, my God! How was it? I mean, how do you feel? Was it good?”

“Honestly? It was great, and now… well, things are different. It’s not just an arrangement between us anymore. This is turning into something real.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Marie asks. “You get to be with someone who cares about you, and you won’t be lying to your mom, right?”

“Right,” I murmur. “Still… what if I’m getting ahead of myself? What if Christian and I are just getting caught up in the rush of it all, and when everything settles, these feelings go away?”

Marie sets her coffee cup down, her expression softening. “Haven, I think you’re overthinking this. You have feelings for Christian, and he clearly cares about you. The fact that he’s gone out of his way to make sure this weekend is perfect for you should tell you something. This isn’t just a passing thing, and you should embrace it..”

I nod, her words sinking in. She’s right. I just need to let myself fully feel what’s happening between Christian and me.

The rest of the weekend is a blur of excitement. We visit the Met, spend an afternoon shopping in SoHo, and even catch a Broadway show on our last night in the city. Everywhere we go, there’s a sense of magic, like the city is wrapping us in its vibrant energy, pushing me to relax and enjoy this new life I’m stepping into. When Sunday evening rolls around, we head back to the airport, my wedding dress carefully packed and ready to be flown home with us. The flight feels quieter than the one coming in, but it’s a good kind of quiet—like everything is starting to settle into place.

Marie sits next to me, scrolling through her phone as I stare out the window, watching the city lights disappear beneath us as we ascend. The weight of what this weekend meant lingers with me. It wasn’t just about the dress or the pampering—it was about taking a moment to appreciate the changes in my life. Christian gave me this time, this space to breathe, and it feels like something shifted inside me.

I glance at the dress bag, tucked safely in the corner of the plane, and my heart flutters. The dress, the wedding, the life I’m about to share with Christian—it’s happening and I can admit to myself I’m excited.

When we land, Christian’s driver is waiting for us, and as we step off the jet, the cool night air hits my skin. I’m bringing home more than just a dress. I’m bringing home a sense of clarity. This wedding isn’t just an arrangement anymore. It’s a step toward something I’m starting to want more than I ever thought I would.

Marie links her arm through mine as we walk toward the car.

"So, when are you showing Christian the dress?" she asks, waggling her eyebrows.

I laugh, shaking my head. "He’s not seeing it until the wedding, of course. I can’t wait for him to see it, though."

“He’s going to love it,” Marie insists, squeezing my arm, and I’m pretty confident he will.

Whatever happens next, I know I’m ready for it. I have my dress, I have Marie by my side, and I have Christian waiting for me back home. That, more than anything, feels like the start of something real.

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