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‘No. Not him. Someone else.’ I wince, waiting for the onslaught I know is coming.
‘What the actual fuck, Aoife?’ There’s no missing the panic in her tone.
‘Trust me, this is different. And it will put an end to the Rory nightmare.’ With any luck, it’ll put an end to Rory completely, but I don’t voice that part out loud. ‘The wedding is on Saturday. One o’clock at The Shelbourne. I need you there, Abs.’
‘The Shelbourne?’ She repeats slowly. ‘What have you done?’
‘The right thing.’ And as the words leave my lips, I recognise the truth in them. If it weren’t for Dominic, I’d be dead. Or worse, I’d be alive, wishing I was dead after what Rorythreatened to do to me. Dom’s sheltered me, showered me with affection, shown me something I haven't seen in years—love. Real love. ‘Don’t tell a soul.’
‘I won’t,’ she promises. ‘You know I won’t. Are you really okay?’
The memory of Dominic’s huge arms around me floats through my mind. ‘Yes, honestly, I am.’
She tuts. ‘I’m so worried about you, hon.’
‘Don’t be. I’ve got everything under control.’ Everything except the rest of my life. ‘Oh, Abs, one more thing.’
‘What?’ she asks tentatively.
‘Can I ask a favour?’
‘Anything.’ She says solemnly.
‘Wear pink. I want you to be my bridesmaid.’
‘What the fuck, Aoife?’
‘See you Saturday.’
I hang up before she can protest.
32
AOIFE
Istare at myself in the en suite mirror. The dress I picked out is nothing like the one Rory put me in. This one is all my choosing. And it is stunning.
Soft ivory chiffon drapes over me in clean, fluid lines, weightless and unstructured. It skims rather than clings, falling from delicate straps into a gently gathered waist before floating to the floor in a long, effortless sweep. This dress isn’t designed to seduce. It’s elegant. Virginal. Dominic is going to love it.
In just over an hour, I’m going to be legally tied to the most dangerous man in Dublin. And it’s up to me to decide if this is still an arrangement, or if it’s forever. My pulse ricochets, and I drag several long, slow breaths deep into my lungs.
A soft knock taps against the bedroom door. ‘Aoife, love? It’s time,’ Sheila calls gently.
Time.
I grab the tiny Jimmy Choo clutch bag that matches my heels, stuff my lipstick and phone into it, gather the floaty skirt of my dress, and step out into the hallway.
Sheila gasps, covering her mouth as she catches sight of me. ‘You look absolutely beautiful.’ She fans her face like she’s about to cry.
I don’t have a mother, not anymore, but if I did, this is the reaction I’d crave from her on my wedding day. ‘Thank you.’ I squeeze her arm. ‘For everything.’ I motion to my dress.
She reaches for my arm and squeezes it reassuringly, guiding me towards the top of the stairs. ‘I’ll see you at the hotel.’
Dominic and I have decided to travel to The Shelbourne together.
It’s a statement, but the truth is, I feel better with him by my side. Not simply safe, but strong. I like the woman I am when I’m with him; I just don’t know if I like her more than the woman I thought I wanted to be.
My stomach swoops as I start the descent down the wide stairs. Sunlight spills in through the tall windows, illuminating the plants and greenery below like an enchanted secret garden.
