Page 47 of Our Big White Lie
I pushed out a ragged breath.
I could still feel the softness of her lips against mine the way they were in that image. I’d dreamed about it. I’ddaydreamed about it. And now, there we were, captured in that perfect moment.
It wasn’t real and I knew it. Tori would always be my best friend and nothing more.
But at least now I had that memory and that photo.
I ordered a five-by-seven copy from Mariah, and I had it shipped to the office so Tori didn’t accidentally see it. I wasn’t sure where I’d keep it once it was here. It wouldn’t be on display, of course, but maybe tucked into a drawer or an unassuming file folder.
No one had to know about it—the photoorthe feelings I had when I looked at it—but me.
No one had to know that I would’ve given anything for Tori to feel the same.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Tori
Oh crap. This was really happening.
Well, it was really happening tomorrow, but tonight was the rehearsal.
Our immediate families were here in the hotel’s banquet hall, and everyone was pitching in to get the place arranged and decorated. The hotel had several staff members helping us out, and we carted in boxes of homemade centerpieces, silk flowers for the chairs and altar, and place cards for dinner. Chairs were arranged in rows facing the white archway. Tables were set up near the dancefloor.
It was all starting to look like an actual, legit, legal wedding would take place here tomorrow.
Gulp.
At least my aunt wasn’t here. I didn’t even know if she’d be coming tomorrow—she hadn’t bothered to RSVP one way or the other—but I was too nervous and stressed right now to deal with her.
Unfortunately, my grandmother had insisted on coming. According to my dad, she was worried about my other grandmother getting to take part in the processional, and she’d damn well better get to join in. Ugh. Whatever. She hadn’t yetexpressed any of her opinions about the impending nuptials, but she sure had a few about the venue and décor.
“Why on earth would you use cheap fake flowers instead of real ones?” She scoffed and shook her head as she watched my sister-in-law attaching a small arrangement to an end chair. “That’s tacky, Victoria.”
I smiled even as I gritted my teeth. “Our bouquets are both made of real flowers.”
“But those lookcheap.”
“Theywerecheap. Less than a hundred bucks, and just some time spent putting them together while we watched TV.” I shrugged indifferently. “I think they look fine.”
She tutted and looked around, probably searching for something else to pick apart. I was about to bow out under the pretense of doing… literally anything, but then something behind me caught her attention. Grandma’s expression shifted to one of abject horror, and she touched her hand to her chest.
I turned around, and—oh. Got it.
Marco had just strolled in with his hand on Derrick’s elbow.
And a second later, I realized he was also wearing a pair of plastic devil horns. I fought back a laugh and told her, “I’m going to go say hi to?—”
“Is that him?” she growled. “The Satanic minister?”
“Satanicpriest, Grandma,” I said over my shoulder as I headed his way. I didn’t hear what she called after me. Probably just as well. When I got to Marco, I rolled my eyes. “You asshole,” I laughed as I hugged him.
“What?” He chuckled. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”
“You’re going to give her grandma a heart attack,” Ava said before accepting a hug from him. “You could’ve at least waited until the videographer was here.”
“Pfft. Everyone has phones.”
Ava and I laughed, rolling our eyes. We exchanged hugs with Derrick as well.
