Page 126 of Before Broken Vows

"Me too," I whisper.

"You're going to be an incredible wife." Her voice catches slightly. "My brother is lucky as hell to have you."

My eyes mist up.

"Don't you dare cry," the makeup artist warns, brandishing her brush like a weapon. "I just perfected those lashes."

We all laugh, and I dab carefully at the corners of my eyes with a tissue.

"Speaking of perfect," Calli says, stepping back to admire the makeup artist's work as she puts the finishing touches on my face, "you look too pretty. It's almost unfair to the rest of us." Her eyes suddenly widen. "Holy shit, this is real! You're actually marrying my brother today."

Her excitement is contagious, as always, and I feel a bubble of joy expanding in my chest.

"I hope to have something like what you two have one day," Calli says, perching on the edge of the vanity. "The way he looks at you," she sighs dramatically. "Until then, I've got my hot boxing instructor to flirt with." She winks.

A knock at the door interrupts us. The door creaks open and Katerina steps inside, radiant in her dress, her long curls pinned half-up. She smiles warmly.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

Calli waves her in. "Perfect timing. We were just being sappy."

She shuts the door. "Just wanted to check in," she says, stepping closer. "Wow, you look beautiful, Stassi."

"Thank you," I say. And I mean it, too. Not just for the compliment, but for everything. In the weeks since we first met, she's been warm, supportive, and even jokingly stood up to her husband Ares for me in a playful argument we were having.

Calli gives her a hug, and for a few moments we're just three women laughing, chatting, and bonding.

"So, how are you feeling?" Katerina asks, rubbing my shoulder. "Nervous?"

"Starting to get a little terrified," I admit. "But the good kind of terrified."

She nods knowingly. "I felt the same with Ares. Like standing at the edge of a cliff, scared to jump but knowing the view will be worth it."

The makeup artist steps back, declaring her work complete. I study my reflection as Calli and Katerina flank me on either side; three women in the mirror, the bride and her new sisters.

Calli glances at her phone. "I'm going to check on Theo. Make sure he actually got his tie on straight"

Katerina laughs.

Calli walks to the door, then pauses. "Not to bring any sadness into your day, but if your mom was alive, she'd be proud of you. Of the woman you've become. You look like an angel."

My throat tightens. "Don't make me cry."

"Too late." Calli grins. "Okay, okay, hang on." She scrunches her nose. "Want to hear a terrible joke that your son made me tell him 100 times to stop the tears?"

"No."

"Too bad. What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary?"

I sigh. "I swear to God?—"

"A thesaurus."

Katerina groans. "You're fired from maid of honor duties, but wait. I'm coming with you."

I rise from the vanity, adjusting the silk robe around me. My fingers trail over the wedding dress hanging by the door. I turn toward the open window. The view overlooks the courtyard below. I catch a glimpse of Theo standing with Ares and Dimitri. He's dressed in black, sharp and regal. Ares adjusts his collar while Dimitri paces.

I step back instinctively. Isn't it bad luck for the groom to see the bride? But then I laugh at myself. After everything we've survived?