have actual tears. Quick someone hand me a paper towel.”
Genevieve grabbed a box of tissues and thrust it at Nora. “No crying. We can’t have anyone spoiling Ari’s make up. Sei bella come il sole.” Her expression softened as she took me in.
“My brother is going to freak.” Alessia caught my hand in hers.
“Oh, I don’t know about that, Sia. The two of you will steal the show.”
They looked flawless in their pale lilac dresses. With a halter-style top that scooped low in the front and back, the silk flowed over their hips and skimmed the floor. Their hair had been braided to one side and pulled into an intricate bun, woven with flowers matching the Baby’s Breath and Larkspur of my bridal posy.
“Okay,” Genevieve held out a tissue for me. “Blot and then I think we’re done.”
I did as she instructed, leaving a smudge of lipstick behind.
“Ready?” Nora helped me off the stool I’d spent the last hour sitting on while Nora and Genevieve took care of my makeup and hair.
Nicco had wanted to pay someone, but I didn’t want any fuss. Besides, there was something special about sharing this moment with my best friend, my soon to be sister-in-law, and Genevieve. I hadn’t quite distinguished her place in my life yet, but she had become a fast friend over the last few weeks, the two of us bonding over the Marchetti men in our lives. I wasn’t sure if it was official, but I had it on good authority she was Antonio’s date for the wedding.
I let her fuss over my dress, smoothing out the lace tail and arranging the long veil over my hair. Finally, they stepped back to look at me.
“Oh my god,” Alessia breathed.
Nora had tears collecting in the corners of her eyes as she smiled at me. “You look amazing.”
The door creaked behind me, but I didn’t move for fear of ruining my hair.
“Sorry I’m late,” Mom’s voice filtered into our room.
The Blackstone Country Club had gone above and beyond to accommodate us on such short notice, but I wasn’t surprised. I was quickly learning that being a Marchetti carried weight. They had transformed the place into something fit for a princess.
“Oh my… Arianne, sweetheart.” Tears filled her eyes. “You look…”
“Thank you.” My body vibrated with nervous energy.
“That boy has nothing to worry about.” I frowned and she chuckled. “Nicco needed some final words of encouragement.” A knowing smile played on her lips.
“You spoke to him?” My head whipped up.
“Hair, watch the hair,” Nora scolded.
“Oops, sorry.” I shot her an apologetic look before turning to my mother once again. “You saw him? Is he—”
“Fine, just some last-minute jitters. Tristan, Matteo, and Enzo are in the bar with him.”
“The bar?” I groaned. “I hope someone is supervising them.”
I’d witnessed the aftermath of the bachelor party. Nicco had ruined my favorite pair of sneakers after puking all over them before declaring his undying love for me and then passing out on the bathroom floor.
“Don’t worry, Enzo is still in the doghouse for letting him get so drunk.” Alessia gave me a wink.
“Ready?” Nora had positioned herself in between me and the mirror.
“No,” my mom shrieked. “It is bad luck for a bride to see herself before the groom.”
I rolled my eyes. After everything we’d been through to get here, I wasn’t about to let a little Italian superstition worry me.
Moving over to the full-length ornate mirror in the corner of the room, I inhaled a deep breath.
“Wait,” Genevieve said. “At least remove a shoe first.”
“A shoe?” Nora balked.
“For luck,” my mom added.
“Fine, take it.” I lifted my foot and let Alessia slip off my ivory silk heeled pump.
“Ready?” Nora had moved in front of me, blocking my view.
“As I’ll ever be.” My heart was beating wildly in my chest but the second she stepped out of the way, and I saw myself, it stopped.
“I look—”
“Beautiful, sweetheart.” Mom grabbed my hand, coming into the mirror’s view.
My skin was glowing, my eyes wide with wonder and anticipation. But it was the dress that took my breath away. Layers of sheer lace gathered at my waist and fell around my body like a delicate waterfall. The batwing sleeves gave the illusion I was wearing a cape, but when I turned around and glanced over my shoulder, I saw the dress cut into a deep V. It ended at the bottom of my spine and flowed into a line of pearl buttons. It was simple yet beautiful, sexy yet demure.