Page 109 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
“I’m sure that’s the plan. And don’t let him get to the good stuff until he takes it off first! You don’t want to ruin the dress,” Yuna says, working on the hooks and buttons.
“I don’t think this dressing room is soundproof,” I point out, my cheeks warm.
“It isn’t,” Avery says cheerfully from outside.
My face grows hotter, and Yuna and Julie giggle.
“Come on, Ivy,” Julie says. “You’re getting married. Everyone knows what’s going to happen that night.”
“I want a mail-order groom,” Yuna says, working on the hooks and buttons. “Just so I can wear something like this.”
“Me too,” Julie says. “Then send him back.”
Yuna snaps her fingers. “Exactly!”
“Do you know your mom can hear you?” I ask Yuna.
“We won’t pay for a fake wedding,” Mrs. Min says from outside the dressing room.
I smother a small laugh.
“I can get a loan,” Yuna shoots back.
“Your father will speak to every bank and cut you off.”
Yuna rolls her eyes. “I’ll mail-order a billionaire, then. Problem solved.”
Stubborn Yuna. “Why don’t you just get a boyfriend for real?” I whisper.
“Because it’s way too much work. Men are so high maintenance,” she says. “And I need to pick one who’ll be good for the business.”
Oh, right. Proper business-deal nuptials. But I think about how much Mrs. Min seems to adore Yuna. “I doubt you’ll have to. I’m sure your parents will be happy with whoever you fall in love with.”
“It isn’t that easy.” Yuna sighs.
I think back on what Tony and I had to overcome to get to this point. “True love never is.”
“You guys about done?” Avery asks from outside.
“Yeah.”
Yuna puts the bridal piece on my ears and around my neck. When she reaches for the tiara, I shake my head. “Later. It’s just a fitting.” I want to save something for the actual wedding day.
Yuna and Julie stand back, then grin widely.
“Mom’s going to faint,” Yuna says.
“I’m going to add ‘have paramedics ready’ to the to-do list.” Julie pulls out her phone, then giggles. “Tony might just have a heart attack.”
“You guys are being silly,” I say, embarrassed at their overreaction.
I come out into the sitting area attached to the dressing room. It has mirrors on every wall. I catch my reflection, and my breath stalls in my throat.
Oh my God.
Hands on my cheeks, I stare. I almost don’t recognize myself. The dress gives me a shimmery glow, the diamanté and pearls adding to the air of fairytale glamour. It’s going to be absolutely radiant under the sun.
Avery looks at me critically and does the fitting, muttering things I can’t quite catch the entire time. “Now, absolutely no dieting or gaining weight. Stay as you are.”
