Page 25 of The Arianna Arrangement

Leyla returned a few minutes later and Monica wasn’t far behind. “I have five to start off with, but we can try as many as you want. I want you to leave here today knowing you’ve found the perfect dress.”

I thanked her and headed into the dressing room. Sure enough, there was a dress almost exactly like what I’d wanted. It was white satin in a simple A-line frame with a sweetheart neck. There was a layer of lace over it, and illusion sleeves.

When I stepped on the pedestal in front of the mirrors, I knew immediately that it was exactly what I wanted. This was my dress.

The disappointed sound that came from my mom said she didn’t agree. “I think it’s a bit too much. Less is more, honey. Simplicity is elegance.”

Leyla rolled her eyes, but Ashley was the one to speak. “I think it’s gorgeous. Arianna, you are absolutely stunning. My son is a very lucky man.”

God, I loved that woman.

“Let’s try another.” My mom’s smile was small, but gave no room for argument.

I tried on seven more dresses before my mom decided we’d found the one. It was A-line, but with a full skirt. The strapless neckline was straight, having no personality at all. And that was literally all it was. Boring as fuck.

But I’d come today knowing that it wasn’t worth the fight. My mom was planning the wedding of her dreams and didn’t care in the slightest how I felt about it.

“Let’s find the bridesmaid dress.” Mom showed Monica the color of the flowers and told her she wanted simply classy with it too.

Leyla’s face when she walked out in an A-line satin dress that was one shouldered in light pink showed exactly what she thought about this dress. “I can’t hold it in anymore. Guilia, I’m sorry, but these dresses are so boring. They don’t fit Ari’s personality or what she wants for her wedding day. I understand you’re just doing what you think is best, but don’t you want her to be happy?”

My mom waved her off. “Don’t be silly. It’s my job as her mother to make sure she understands what looks good. This wedding is a big deal. It’s the only one she’ll get, so it should be perfect.”

“For you, or for her?”

Ashley let out a breath. “Leyla.”

Leyla rolled her eyes and stomped back off to the dressing room. Knowing my bestie, I wouldn’t be surprised if she altered it herself before walking down the aisle. I felt pretty confident she wouldn’t be caught dead in that dress in my wedding pictures.

Monica popped around the corner. “Do we need mothers of the bride and groom dresses too?”

My mom smiled and stood excitedly. “Absolutely!” She followed Monica out of the room.

Ashley stood to follow, but stopped when my mom was out of earshot. “I’m sorry she’s taking over your special day.”

I shrugged. “It’s not like I had a say in who I was marrying. Why should I get a say in how the wedding looks?”

Her smile was sympathetic. She didn’t like the situation any more than I did. The Givenchy family was firmly against marriage contracts and hated that Tucker had had his choice taken from him. Even though we’d fallen in love, this wasn’t something they wanted for him.

She followed my mom out of the room and Leyla returned from the dressing room. “Let’s get out of here.”

My brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, they’re distracted and not listening to you anyway, so let’s ditch and go have some fun. We’re in New York. The city is our oyster.”

I laughed as I grabbed my purse and followed her to sneak out of the back. Our moms were in the showroom and security was littering the front, so if we stood any chance, it was in the alley.

“I think you mean Manhattan is our oyster. We can’t go to any other boroughs because that would be entering enemy territory.”

She looped her arm through mine as we stepped out into the alley, her voice lowering so no one would hear her. “I thought there was a truce between the families.”

“There is, but if I want to go to another borough, they have to be notified of why I’m there. Otherwise, if one of us just shows up in their territory, it’s an act of war. I guess they think if we don’t give prior notice, we’re up to no good.” I mean, it did make sense.

Leyla poked her head around the corner and decided the coast was clear, so we took off at a jog to get around the block as quickly as possible.

“I want to try the New York pizza and gelato you’re always talking about. Game?”

“Hell yes.” Pulling my phone out of my purse, I powered it off. “Turn off your phone so they can’t track us.”