Gingero continues to stare at me, so I take that as a win for him liking the dress. When Renato brought me to the bedroom, there’d been a rack in the center of it with wedding dresses on it. It’s impressive how he makes things happen so easily. He’s clearly a very powerful and very wealthy man. I’m starting to piece together that wealth might not be legitimate. Considering all the talks of war and pretty much an arranged marriage. What have I gotten myself into?
Whatever it is, it did get me five baby kittens, so it can’t be that bad. Right? I’m sure Caroline will be quick to tell me how flawed that logic is, so maybe I should wait to fill her in on some things until after I’m married. I think that’s for the best.
I know she’ll try to talk me out of it, and truly I don’t want to be talked out of it. This is the first time since she left that the loneliness that has been a hole in my heart has started to fill. And it’s a job. Real money. No more scraping by and being on the verge of winding up at a shelter. I think her pragmatic heart would see that part as a big win.
“Knock knock.” A woman's voice comes from outside the bedroom door.
“Come in,” I call out.
A beautiful, tall brunette steps into the room. She’s dressed in a long, black form-fitting pencil skirt and killer heels. It suits her perfectly. Her hair is pinned up tight, giving her a no-nonsense kind of look, making me wonder who she is. Maybe one of the many people Renato gives orders to get things done. She looks like she could get a lot of things done.
“I’m Payton.” She holds up a box. “Renato said you don’t care for heels so I had these brought over. All of the other boxes that I had sent over before are heels. I think you’ll like these better. Why don’t you try them on to make sure they fit?”
“Oh, thank you.” I had mentioned that when I saw all the dresses and the shoes lined up next to the rack. While each set of the heels are stunning, they’re an accident waiting to happen for me. Caroline tried to teach me to walk in them once. That didn’t go so well. I swear I looked like a baby deer who didn’t have my legs underneath me, and I almost broke an ankle. That was the last time I attempted to wear them.
“You know, that dress wasn’t my favorite, but seeing it on you, I think I’ve changed my mind. You’ve got the hips for it.” She walks over, setting the box on the bed.
“You think?” I run my hands down the dress.
It’s different from all the rest. It’s not a traditional wedding dress by any means since it stops a little above my knees. The top is tight, holding my breasts in place so that I don’t have to wear a bra, which is pretty dang awesome if I do say so myself. It also has sheer sleeves that go down my arms to my wrists.
My favorite part of it, though, and why I picked it, is because the dress starts to flare out right under my boobs. The tulle fabric that peeks out from underneath is a different shade of white. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one. I didn’t even try on any of the other dresses. This one was meant for me.
“It’s stunning on you. If I didn’t think so, believe me, I’d be trying to talk you into one of the others.” She lifts the lid from the shoebox she brought with her. “Sorry I wasn’t here to help you get into it. But I have these.” She surprises me when she lifts white sneakers from the box. They’re simple except for the silver jewel encrusted butterfly wings on the side. “These are going to go perfectly, actually. Damn, I don’t think you even need me.” She smiles. “I’m the wedding planner. Did I mention that?”
“Do we even have time for a wedding planner?” I laugh, finally relaxing.
I have to admit I was a bit intimidated by her at first. Everyone around here is so put together in their suits and such, and then there’s me with my box of kittens and bright pink hair.
“I’m just here to get you ready. The bride is really the most important part of a wedding. Your wish is my command,” she says with a warm smile on her face.
“Honestly, I think I’m ready.” I take the shoes and slip them on.
“You’re as eager as the groom for this. I love that.”
My heart gives a flutter thinking about how fast Renato is pushing this marriage. Then I remember it’s not because we’re some crazy in love couple that can’t wait to have our lives together. This is a business deal.