Page 132 of Dirty Husband

Maybe she's seeing what she wants to see.

Maybe he's a better liar than he seems.

Maybe he's thinking with his cock.

He's devoted to making me come. And that's not a bad deal. It's really not.

I turn. Focus on the dress. Elegant. Simple. Boring. "I don't think so."

Right on cue, the saleswoman knocks on the door. "We have more options, Miss Lee."

"Come in," I say.

Quyen opens the door. The saleswoman hangs two dresses. Then four more. She places white shoes on the carpet, next to one of the ornate chairs (it's more throne than chair, really). "To see how it fits with heels. Or if you wear flats and hem. Some women want to look up at their groom."

"He's very tall," Mai says. "She will."

"He's not that tall," Quyen argues.

"You don't think anyone is tall." Mai shakes her head. Tells the story of a Warriors player coming into her restaurant. He was so tall he bumped his head on the door. But Quyen still thought he wasn't tall.

Quyen returns with her own story, about the time they met a famous actor who is known for standing on boxes so he's eye to eye with his leading ladies. But Mai thought he was tall.

It warms the room. Eases the tension in my mind. I've heard these stories so many times. They're home.

The whole not knowing where I'm getting married thing… I can deal with that.

No, I can pick a place. I'm not sure what I want, what says Jasmine Lee, not just a rich man's wife, but there's one thing that comes to mind.

The place that's been my sanctuary the last few years.

I change out of this dress. Find my cell in my purse. Text Shep.

Jasmine: Can we talk about the location for the wedding?

Shep: I reserved a theater.

Jasmine: A theater?

Shep: Yes. A two-thousand seat one. We'd have to do it Monday, when the show is dark. But it's not a problem.

Jasmine: Oh.

Shep: Oh?

Jasmine: Yes. Oh.

Shep: You don't like it?

Jasmine: No. I do. But since when do you enjoy theater?

Shep: Is there some place I do enjoy?

Jasmine: Besides the bedroom?

Shep: Unless you'd like to invite our guests there.

Jasmine: It's almost big enough.