"Alphahole, huh?" She narrows her gaze on me.
"Asshole, I meant asshole," I snap.
"And he’s whisking you away to the island near Venice where the wedding is going to be held?"
"He says he wants me away from the media ruckus from our last post. He wants me to relax and unwind in time for the big day."
"He may have a point there."
"Hey, who’s side are you on? His or mine?"
"Yours, of course, sweetie. It’s just… I’m worried about you."
I blink. "You are?"
"It’s a lot you’re going through right now. Marrying him so suddenly, and in circumstances that are far from ideal. Are you sure he’s not coercing you into this?"
I scoff. "Do you think I can be coerced into anything?"
"You have a point. Still, marrying him so quickly after his previous fiancée walks out on him? Couldn’t you two delay the wedding?"
"Uh, he didn’t want to, and neither did I, to be honest."
"Now you’re going to tell me the two of you are so in love together that you didn’t want to wait?"
"Something like that," I concede.
She searches my features. "You sure that’s all there is to it? Is there something else you need to tell me?"
"Of course not." I glance at my reflection in the mirror, making sure my hair is in place.
"And you’re definitely going to tell him?"
I glance away, then back at her. "I will… Eventually."
"It’s not anything to be ashamed of, Isla. It’s who you are. If he loves you, he’ll accept all of you."
"And the media, will they accept me as I am? Especially now that I’m going to be married to a man who looks like him?"
"You are the most beautiful, most courageous woman I know. And anyone who thinks otherwise needs to be drawn and quartered. If they judge you for who you are, then it reflects badly on them, not on you."
Warmth fills my stomach. My chest feels like it’s going to burst. Pressure builds behind my eyes and...No, no, no, I’m not going to cry. Not now.I sniff, and Zara looks concerned.
"Oh sweetie, I didn’t say that to upset you."
"You didn’t upset me. I wish I had your strength of conviction. Wish I could disregard the media the way you do."
"Oh, I’ve just had more practice. As has Liam. Which is why he made the wise move of taking you out of London, to somewhere distant enough that the paps can’t trail you."
I stiffen. "Are they... Have they been staking out my house?"
She stares at me.
"Damn, why didn’t I think of that? Of course, now that the video’s out, they know who I am and where I live. And if I were there, they’d trail my every move in London."
She nods. "Which is why what he’s doing is very wise. And I assume you’ll move in with him when you return."
Unfortunately.“Yes."