Irina and Natasha offer me encouraging words. Their empathy is sweet but it’s also stifling. They managed to make it work with their husbands but I doubt Enzo and I ever will. He’s a total ass.
I try on the dress and know it’s the right one. It’s a sweetheart neckline and no sleeves so it shows off my upper chest and arms well. The skirt flares out around me in a large poof. My father always treated me like a princess and a princess is what I want to be on the big day.
I leave the dressing room to show my friends. “What do you think?” They’re seated on a couch before a large mirror but their eyes are not on me. They’re on… Enzo. Who’s here. In the bridal shop.
He smirks when he sees me. “I think you look ridiculous in that dress.”
I stumble in my tracks. “What are you doing here? A groom isn’t supposed to see the bride in her dress before the wedding.”
“I’m unconventional,” he says with a shrug as he takes a seat next to Irina. She stiffens but doesn’t move away. Natasha refuses to look at him.
“Why are you even here?”
“It’s customary for all the women in the bride’s life to help her choose a dress. Unfortunately, my sister and aunt weren’t able to make it. So I’m here in their stead.”
My mouth turns dry, making it hard to speak. The way Enzo smirks again tells me he knows the affect he has on me. “I didn’t even know you had a sister or aunt.”
“Gianna. She lives in Connecticut for her own safety. She’s only coming the day of the wedding. I don’t want someone to hurt her in the meantime.”
“So you actually have someone you care about?” I ask, clear surprise in my voice.
Enzo’s eyes narrow. “I’m not a complete monster.”
“The fact you shot my brother in the back says otherwise. And the fact you kidnapped Natasha. You’re not a good man.”
“All is fair in war.”
“Well, we’re not in a war anymore and you’re annoying me, so go.”
He stands up, towering over me, which only annoys me further and he knows it too. “Don’t make me regret agreeing to marry you.”
“Which I still don’t fully understand why you did it. You said you wanted no part in planning this wedding, so go. Don’t ruin this day for me. And I’m choosing this dress. I like it. It doesn’t matter what you think.”
“I have the power to call this whole thing off. I’m going to choose your dress for you. Something nicer than… this.” He motions his hands at my wedding dress. “It’s too… tacky.”
I gasp. “It’s not tacky. I look like a princess.”
“Which we both know you’re not. A princess wouldn’t sneak off to clubs and get drunk.”
Before I can stop myself, I slap him across the face. The entire room goes silent.
“Is there a problem here?” The sales woman asks.
“No,” both Enzo and I say at the same time.
“If there is a problem, I’ll have to call the police.”
Enzo flashes her a charming smile. “That won’t be necessary. Just a marital dispute. No need to involve the police. We won’t cause any more problems.”
“Good. You better not.” She walks away, clearly uncomfortable, but her job is to respect the client’s wishes.
“So, you can be charming,” I say to Enzo when he turns back to me.
“I have charmed many women in my lifetime.”
“So why are you unable to charm me? That’s because I see the real you and you’re an asshole.”
He steps closer to me until I can smell the faint minty-ness of his breath. “I would suggest you stop calling me that, Kira. We’ll be married by the end of the month. Let’s not kill each other before then. We both want peace between our families. Don’t be stupid.”
