Page 108 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
“And quick!” I say with a big grin. “I wish we could just be lazy and not think about anything.”
“Same here. Just two more weeks.” He helps me sit up.
“I know. That’s what I’ve been telling myself. And Yuna’s mom is doing a lot of work.” Thank God. Without her expertise at organization and her assistants, I doubt I would’ve been able to accomplish half what was needed. “By the way, Tatiana called yesterday. Did I tell you?”
“No. What did she want?”
I pull away reluctantly and get up. Gotta get ready to go to Avery’s boutique. “She said she didn’t see the invitation until yesterday because her admin misplaced it. It got stuck between some sheet music.”
“I’m glad she found it. I know you were wondering if Tatiana didn’t want to come.”
“Yeah. That was a small worry.” And one that upset me, even though I pretended it didn’t. I should’ve known Tony would sense how I really felt.
“She can still come. It isn’t like having one extra person’s going to make a difference.” RSVPs were due last week.
“I know, but that wasn’t all she wanted. She wants to play at the wedding.” Putting on a maxi dress, I look at him over a shoulder. “Are you okay with that? We’ll have to cancel the quartet and forfeit half the fee.” Tony reserved them. I doubt he cares about the deposit, but I don’t want him feeling like he did the work for nothing.
Tony smooths my hair. “Didn’t you say she teaches at Curtis?”
“Yeah.”
“So we’re going to get an amazing musician playing at our wedding. Why would I say no?” He kisses me. “I’m thrilled and honored.”
I hug him, warm happiness unfurling inside. “Thanks. You’re the best.” I kiss him, but then a discreet knock at our door makes me pull back.
“Your people are here,” Bobbi says from outside.
“Okay! Coming right out.”
On our way to the boutique, Mrs. Min complains that Tony can’t come with us. Apparently in Korea, the bride and groom pick out the wedding dress together. It isn’t considered bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the ceremony.
“That’s just a silly superstition,” she says.
I don’t say anything about four-tier wedding cakes. Discretion is the better part of valor, and all that.
In front of the boutique, our SUVs stop and let me, Bobbi, Julie, Yuna, her mom and the assistants out.
Avery’s people bring out silver platters with champagne for everyone, while Avery herself brings out the dress.
Lace, diamanté and tiny pearls shine around the Queen Anne neckline, fitted bust and all the way down. Layers of translucent material wrap around like clouds, the tiny gems on them twinkling like stars. The silk isn’t stark white, but soft ivory with a hint of pink to match my ring. The bridal jewelry consists of a single strand of alternating pearls and small diamonds with a gorgeous star-shaped pendant, plus drop earrings with a similar motif, also made with pearls and diamonds. The hairpiece is stunning as well—a sparkling tiara with the same motif.
“Oh my,” I whisper.
“You like?” Avery has a sly smile that says she knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“It looks nothing like the design pictures you sent.” They showed a pretty dress. But the reality is a dream. “It’s gorgeous.” I put my hands over my cheeks. “I’m going to feel like a princess.”
“A queen,” Mrs. Min corrects me with a smile.
“Okay, go put it on,” Avery says. “We have everything here for you, including your underwear and shoes. We’ll make sure everything fits correctly.”
I nod and head to the huge dressing room in the back. Julie and Yuna come with me to help, carrying the bridal pieces to put on as well. The bodice has complicated laces in the back, which require nimble fingers.
The layers and layers of fabric whisper and shimmer as my best friends pull the dress up and arrange the skirt and train so they don’t get tangled and bunched.
The dress feels soft and lovely against my skin. My heart flutters. Two more weeks and Tony and I are going to be married, surrounded by people who want us to be happy.
“You’re going to drive Tony insane on the wedding night,” Julie says with a grin, pulling the laces together. “This thing won’t be easy to undo.”
