Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 157003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Forty minutes later we arrive at Saint Nicholas’s church. Several vehicles are parked in the parking lot, including Aris’s Porsche and Kostas’s Maserati. My stomach roils in fear and anticipation. I can’t believe this is really happening. This time tomorrow I am going to be Mrs. Kostas Demetriou. The thought has me wanting to highjack this limo and take off in the other direction.
My mom must notice the sudden shift in my mood because she wraps her arm around me as we all walk toward the entrance to the church. The moment we’re inside, I spot Nora. She’s dressed in a simple yet elegant cream-colored dress with nude heels. When she sees we’ve arrived, she comes over to us.
“Talia, my darling girl, you look beautiful.” Her eyes run up and down the simple floral dress and heels I’m wearing. And then her eyes look just past me and her smile falters slightly.
“Nora, this is my family,” I say, making introductions. “This is my mom, Melody, my stepdad, Stefano, and my grandparents, Emilio and Vera.”
“Yes, of course,” Nora says. “Your grandparents and I have met at the occasional dinner. It’s nice to see you both again.” She gives each person an air kiss to their cheeks and a hug. “Everyone is waiting to begin. Victoria, Paulina, and Jacqueline have all tried on their dresses and they fit beautifully.”
Nora guides us inside where the ceremony will be held. We’ve already gone over the details with the priest when we were here earlier this week, but she goes over it all again.
“Your family will sit on the left.” Nora points out. “If you would like to have a seat, Father Nicholas is just going to go over what to expect during the ceremony tomorrow, and then we’ll head over to Hēdonē for dinner,” she says to my family, who all have a seat where she’s pointed.
When I step up onto the altar, my eyes first find Aris’s. He’s standing next to his brother and three other men I’ve yet to meet. They must be family or friends of Kostas’s. Aris gives me a small nod, and his lips curl into a half-smile half smirk. The familiarity and comfort his smile brings helps me to breathe just a little easier.
My eyes next land on Kostas. His eyes are gleaming and his wicked smirk does nothing to calm my nerves. He steps forward, and I almost take a step back but quickly stop myself.
He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear and whispers, “If you’re done eye-fucking my brother, I’d like to get this over with so I can once and for all make you mine.”
Kostas
The nerve of this woman. She may be marrying me tomorrow, but it’s my younger brother whom she smiles for. It’s fucking Aris who she’s been spending all her time with. Maybe no one else sees the way she looks at him, but I certainly do. And it pisses me right the fuck off.
Her face blanches at my words. “Kostas…”
“Yes, my bride,” I say lowly, a hint of danger in my tone. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
All eyes are on us, but our voices are low enough only for us to hear.
“I, uh, you’re being ridiculous,” she murmurs. “I wasn’t eye-fucking him.”
It’s like she’s already forgotten what happened to the last person who lied to me. A hard look from me to her passes between us, making her tremble. Looking down, I nod at her strappy sandals.
“Lovely shoes. Did you get your toes done?”
She snaps her eyes to mine, her blue eyes flickering with horror. “I’m not a liar,” she chokes out, understanding dawning on her. “You’re just a jealous fiancé.”
I reach up to cradle her cheek with my palm. “Perhaps.”
“And an asshole,” she hisses, earning a chuckle from me. “Let’s get this over with.”
I smirk at her. “So I’m not the only one looking forward to the honeymoon it would seem.”
“Go to hell,” she growls.
“Of course, Talia,” I say, stepping closer, our mouths nearly touching. “But you’re going with me.”
The rehearsal was boring as fuck. Wedding shit always is. It doesn’t matter if it’s my wedding or one of my several girl cousins I’ve chosen for bridesmaids. Weddings are a fucking snooze. What’s entertaining, though, is watching my fiancée squirm now every time Aris tries to talk to her.
That’s right. I’m watching. Always fucking watching.
He finally gives up and walks over to talk to our father, who as usual, barely acknowledges he exists.
After we finished at the church, we came back to Hēdonē for a private dinner. According to Mamá, it’s all part of the tradition. The two families breaking bread before the big day tomorrow. While we wait for dinner to be served, everyone enjoys a drink while they socialize amongst each other.
I watch as my father’s gaze darts between Niles and Melody, as if bringing the two exes into the same room to watch their daughter be forcefully married off is the most entertaining thing he’s ever seen.