“I think I do.”
Hailey’s grin widened. Barbara let out another squeal.
And for a moment—just a moment—I let myself feel it. The joy. The hope. The possibility that maybe, just maybe, this could work.
Then reality crashed back in, cold and unforgiving.
I was marrying Drew while hiding the fact that I’d betrayed him, his family, everything he cared about.
And when he found out, the fairy tale would burn.
“Okay,” Barbara said, pulling out her phone and opening a notes app. “We have one week.One weekto plan the most badass Bratva wedding Seattle—sorry, Chicago—has ever seen.”
“Dress, shoes, lingerie,” Hailey listed, ticking items off on her fingers. “Vows. Something borrowed. Something blue. Somethingdangerouslyhot.”
I laughed despite myself. “I’m pregnant, Hails. I can’t do dangerously hot.”
“The hell you can’t.” She leaned forward, her eyes fierce. “You’re glowing, Cass. You’re gorgeous. And you’re about to marry a man who looks at you like you’re the only thing in the world that matters. We’re making you look like a goddamn queen.”
Tears pricked at my eyes, and I blinked them back. “Okay.”
Barbara clapped her hands. “Shopping. Tomorrow. No arguments.”
***
The boutique was upscale and chic, all soft lighting and plush carpets. The scent of new fabric and warm leather filled the air, expensive and intoxicating.
Barbara flung sequin gowns over her arms like she was preparing for war, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “This one. And this one. Oh, and definitely this one.”
Hailey rolled her eyes but smiled. “Barb, she’s pregnant. She needs something that’s soft but still sexy. Elegant but not suffocating.”
“I can do both,” Barbara protested.
“No, you can’t. You dress like you’re going to a gala every day of your life.”
“And you dress like you’re ready to stab someone.”
“Girls,” I interrupted, laughing. “Can we focus?”
They both turned to me, grinning.
“Right,” Hailey said. “Let’s find you something that makes Drew forget how to breathe.”
We spent hours trying on dresses. Barbara’s picks were all glitter and drama—beautiful, but not me. Hailey’s choices were sleek and dangerous, hugging every curve in ways that made me feel powerful and vulnerable all at once.
But then I found it.
The dress.
It was simple. Elegant. A soft ivory silk that draped over my body like water, with delicate lace sleeves that fell just past my elbows. The neckline was modest but hinted at cleavage, and the skirt flowed to the floor in gentle waves.
It was understated. Classic. And when I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw someone I almost didn’t recognize.
A bride.
“That’s the one,” Hailey said softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Barbara nodded, tears already streaming down her face. “You look perfect, Cass.”
