Page 56 of Deceptive Vows
I shot her a glare. “Because we’re in the middle of a deadly game with the Morettis and the Gray Wolves, and personal feelings are a liability.”
“So you admit there are feelings,” Anna said smugly.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.” Claire grinned. “It’s written all over your face. The ice queen is melting.”
I grumbled under my breath. “Don’t you two have husbands to torment instead of me?”
“Not nearly as fun,” Anna said cheerfully. “Besides, watching you fall for someone is like witnessing a solar eclipse—rare and fascinating.”
“I’m notfallingfor anyone,” I insisted, even as my mind flashed to that almost-kiss two weeks ago, the one I still dreamed about.
“If you say so.” Claire patted my arm patronizingly. “But just so you know, there’s nothing wrong with letting someone in, Thea. Even for you.”
“My Lisbet was just thesame,” Aunt Helen added, her voice gentle. “Stubborn as a mule until she finally admitted how she felt about Andros.”
I didn’t respond. We reached the dress shop, and I was grateful for the distraction. As we stepped inside, the warmth enveloping us, I pushed away thoughts of Nazar, of missed opportunities and complicated feelings. Today was about cake and dresses and playing my part in this charade.
Even if, somewhere deep down, a part of me was starting to wish it wasn’t a charade at all.
“Ms. Kalantzis, welcome!” Shanna greeted me with a wide smile. She’d helped both Claire and Anna with their dresses, and I’d been impressed with her. “I’ve pulled several styles for you to try today, based on what we discussed on the phone.”
As I followed her into the boutique’s main showroom, I steeled myself against the surge of emotions I’d been fighting for weeks. This wasn’t real. The dresses, the cake, the invitations—none of it was for a future I would actually have.
So why did it hurt so much to remember that?
“Now,” Shanna gestured to a rack of white and ivory gowns, “I’ve selected a variety of silhouettes.Given your preference for clean lines, I thought we’d start with these.”
Claire immediately gravitated toward a rack a few feet away to a princess ball gown with layers of tulle and crystals. “This one is gorgeous!”
“Absolutely not,” I said flatly.
Anna laughed. “You’d look like a cupcake.”
“A beautiful cupcake,” Claire insisted.
Aunt Helen touched the sleeve of a sleek, modern sheath dress. “This one seems more your style.” She gave me a pointed look.
I nodded, relief washing over me. At least someone understood me. “Let’s start with that one.”
The first dress was nice enough—fitted with a high neck and clean lines, exactly what I thought I wanted. But when I looked in the mirror, surrounded by the three of them, something felt off.
“It’s... fine.” I turned to examine the back.
“Just fine?” Aunt Helen studied my reflection.
I shrugged. “It’s what I asked for.”
“But not what you want,” she said softly.
The next two dresses were variations on the same theme: modern, minimalist, and safe. None of them felt right, though I couldn’t explain why. This was just a costume for a role I was playing. It shouldn’t matter.
“Maybe try something a little different?” Shanna suggested, bringing over a gown I had initially dismissed.
It was still sleek but had delicate lace details at the shoulders and a low, open back. Not overly fussy, but more romantic than I’d usually gravitate toward.
“Humor me,” she said, seeing my hesitation.
