Chapter 3
Aria
“What are you and Hayden going to do while we go dress shopping?” I asked as Sebastian wrapped his arms around my waist the next morning.
Last night had been amazing. Serfina hadn’t had a clue it was going to happen—she’d just thought we’d come over to celebrate her birthday. I was so happy that Hayden had wanted us all there to share that magical moment with them.
“We’ll probably go for drinks or something.”
He kissed me, then grabbed my coat and placed it on me, gently untucking my hair out of the back so it was loose. He pushed a few strands behind my ear and kissed my forehead.
“Take my card and get anything you want,” he said, holding it out.
“You know—”
He cut me off, placing his finger over my lips. “Take it.” I smiled at him and slid it in my jacket pocket with my phone. “Anything you want, Nyx. Buy it.”
It was very rare that I ever purchased anything with his card. I had my own money, but he’d insist I still have his just in case. He knew I didn’t care about money like that, and I wasn’t one to take advantage.
He’d already bought me a fair few designer items to fill up my part of the walk-in wardrobe at home. It looked like its own shop. I’d come to the conclusion that no matter how many times I’d tell him he didn’t need to, he wouldn’t listen and would do it anyway.
“I’ve arranged for a private water taxi for you both, in case you want to go further afield.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything for you.” He rested his hands on my jaw and slowly kissed me.
My body melted for him, weak from his touch. Resting my hands on his chest, I deepened the kiss needily, like I’d been starved of him for too long. His tongue pushed past my lips and met mine.
Heat burned through my core as electricity danced on my skin, sending sparks in all directions. He slid his hand over the fabric of my leggings, causing a whimper to escape.
“You’re wet already,” he murmured against my lips.
“You know you only have to look at me.”
He let out a silent breath through his nose, a grin curling on his lips.
A knock at the door soon interrupted us, and he let out a small groan.
“Sebastian, let me have my girl,” Serfina ordered from the other side.
“No, I’m keeping her,” he replied.
She banged harder. “Open this door, or you know I’ll kick it down.”
He rolled his eyes and soon opened it to her standing there, smiling all sweetly.
“Where’s Hayden?” he asked.
“He’s in our suite and said to go down to him. Let’s go, Aria.”
“I’ll see you later.” I kissed him goodbye.
“Call me if you need anything.”
“Oh, please, she doesn’t need you; she’s got me.” Serfina stuck her tongue out at him and took hold of my hand, leading me from the room.
“So, we’ve got a full day planned. We’ll start with shopping, followed by more shopping. If your feet don’t hurt by the end of the day, you didn’t shop right.”
“I don’t really want my feet to hurt.”
She paused and looked at me. “Girl, you’ve got so much to learn.”
We made our way downstairs and through the hotel, and out on the street to find the boutique.
“How are you feeling after last night?”
“Girl, I can’t believe he proposed. I am literally on cloud nine. I can’t wait to start planning. We’re going to have so much fun, doing it all.” She placed her hand on mine. “And of course, you’ll be my maid of honour. No doubt Hayden will have Sebastian as his best man.”
“You really want me to be?”
“There’s no one else I’d want. You’re family to me.”
“What about your sister?”
She let out a soft chuckle. “Please, you know what Anastasia is like. Trying to get a dress on her is like trying to get blood from a stone. I love her dearly, but I don’t want a fight on my hands.”
Anastasia had been fourteen when Mum and I moved in next door with Sebastian and his dad. The one time I saw her in a dress was at Serfina’s eighteenth birthday party, and even then, she complained about it.
“I’d be honoured.”
“You had no choice, anyway.” Serfina linked her arm through mine and looked up at the building in front of us. The cobblestone street housed designer shops as far as I could see, lined with columns beneath a portico.
“This is the best place in Venice. I just know the dress is going to be in here.”
Serfina pulled me to the door, and we stepped through. A woman smiled warmly, greeting us.
“Miss Costello, it’s so lovely to have you and Mrs Knight here.”
Serfina turned her head, arching her brow at me. I gave her a sheepish smile and turned back to the lady. It would be rude to correct her, so I let it be.
“If you follow me, I will show you to the private suite,” the woman added, gesturing for us to follow.
We walked through into the shop’s open space.
Wedding dresses were displayed on mannequins, perfectly positioned around the room.
Racks of more dresses sat to the sides, ready to be tried on.
We carried on through a small corridor, and the lady opened a door, stepping in, and we followed.
Four staff members elegantly dressed in smart black trousers and cream blouses greeted us.
A pale cream vintage-style loveseat sat in the middle of the suite that Hayden had booked out for Serfina.
A full-length mirror covered the wall in front, and the changing room was hidden by a thick gold and ivory curtain.
Champagne on ice sat in the bucket on the table, and one of the ladies in the room handed us a glass each as we sat down.
“Since when did you become Mrs Knight? Secretly got married and didn’t tell me?” Serfina probed.
I let out a chuckle. “No. However, that’s the second time I’ve been called that. Sebastian never corrected the waiter from last night, either.”
“It’s a sign from the universe.”
“More like an error in the system.”
“Excuse me, girl, only positive vibes here. I don’t want to hear any of that. It’s written in the stars.”
“Well.” I took a sip of my drink. “If Serfina says it’s going to happen, then it must be true.” I giggled, and she soon joined in.
“Miss Costello, we have an arrangement of dresses ready for you to try from the details Mr Lyons gave us. Shall we start?” one of the assistants said.
Serfina turned to face me. “He literally had a long list I gave him that he had to read over the phone.” She burst out laughing.
Us, alcohol, and trying on wedding dresses was probably not the best combination, but I was all for it, and I couldn’t wait to see all those beautiful dresses on her.
Serfina made her way into the dressing room, and I sat there sipping on the bubbles. They would seriously go to my head soon, I was such a lightweight. I took out my phone and hit call on Sebastian’s contact.
“Hey, Nyx. Everything ok?” he answered after a few rings.
“Yes! You should see all the dresses. They’re so pretty. Serfina will find the one here for sure.”
He chuckled. “Have you got champagne?”
“Well, yes. Who tries on wedding dresses without that?” Maybe the bubbles had gone to my head quicker than I thought. “What are you up to?”
“At a bar, having a few drinks.”
I paused for a moment. “Sounds like you’re driving.”
“It’s the water taxi.”
“But you just said you were at a bar?”
“Yeah, I gotta go. We’ve just arrived and need to get off. Love you.”
The call cut, and I looked at the screen, now showing my background picture of Sebastian and me cuddling in front of the Rialto Bridge. My brow furrowed.
“Aria? Are you ready for the first one?” Serfina called, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah, let me see.”
I took a few big sips and grabbed the bottle, filling my glass back up again. Just as I set it back down in the ice, the curtain pulled open, and Serfina appeared.
She stood there in a strapless A-line dress, the corset decorated with 3D roses. “What do you think?” she asked.
“It’s a pretty dress, but it’s not you.”
“That’s what I thought. Ok, let’s try the next one.”
She disappeared back behind the curtain. I took another sip, and my phone pinged next to me.
Sebastian:
Sorry, Nyx, we were at the bar earlier. I didn’t hear you properly. I’ll give you a call later. Love you.
My heart fluttered, and a small smile crept on my lips.
We’d been at the wedding shop all day, and Serfina had tried on about a hundred options. Well, it probably wasn’t that many, but it felt like it. We’d managed to polish off two bottles in the process.
“Aria, I think this is the one,” Serfina called from behind the curtain. “Be honest, ok?”
A few moments later, the curtain pulled away, and Serfina stepped out.
My eyes widened. The strapless sequined gown hugged all her beautiful natural curves.
The corset-style bodice had a sweetheart neckline and flowed into an A-line, covered in vintage lace.
The beading and sequins sparkled in the chandelier light.
She looked like a princess.
“Well?” she said.
“I’m speechless.”
“Is that a good speechless or a bad one?” She laughed nervously.
“More than good. You look phenomenal. This is the one.”
Serfina gestured for the staff to leave the room, and they gave her a nod, doing as she said. She plonked herself next to me and took a sip of her champagne.
“Hayden’s going to cry on our wedding day, isn’t he?” She giggled.
“He going to do more than cry if you’re wearing that.”
We both started giggling again.
“It’ll be you and Sebastian next.”
“I doubt that’ll be anytime soon.”
I wasn’t sure how Sebastian felt about marriage after his upbringing. He could have been completely against it, for all I knew.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. The whole time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him look that way. He knows instantly where you are in a crowded room, even if he can’t see you. That kind of love is rare.”
I was the same with him. I’d always know when his eyes were on me. I didn’t need to see to know. I felt it. I felt everything with him.
“We need to get some lingerie now.” Serfina grinned.