Page 81 of The Christmas Trap

I remind myself that I’ve gone over the options, and this is the best way forward. I gulp a few breaths, steeling myself. I look at myself one last time, then square my shoulders and step out.

“It’s not a rebound.” I meet her gaze. On this, I’m telling her the truth. “Brody and I had a connection from the moment we met.”

Also, true.

“It’s what made me wonder if I was making a mistake with my absentee ex. I didn’t want to admit it. I kept clinging to the idea of the perfect life I thought I was close to having. But every moment I spent getting to know Brody showed me how wrong I was. How right he felt. I’ve never had this kind of chemistry with anyone. He makes me feel desired. He sees my talent. He’s given me opportunities at work I used to only dream about. And when he asked me to marry him, something inside me clicked. I knew it was the right choice. And when I said yes, he bought me a ring right away.”

I hold up my left hand, flashing them with the diamond.

“That’s some rock.” Raya sighs.

“I’ve never heard you speak so passionately about your loser ex, either,” Harper adds.

I turn to survey my reflection in the mirror again. “Besides, Mom and Dad have booked their tickets.”

Raya’s gaze narrows. “That’s no reason to rush to marry your boss instead of your ex."

“Of course, not.” I scoff. “I’m doing it because Brody and I don’t want to wait a minute more to be married. And since I had a date set at Town Hall, it was a matter of him reaching out to the concerned officials to have them make the necessary changes.”

“You mean, they simply had to switch around the name of the bridegroom.” Harper chuckles, half-disbelieving, half-admiring.

“Brody took care of it.” I nod. Another point in his favor. He’s been so involved in the wedding planning. A far cry from my having to carry the load of it with my ex.

Rachel gestures for the assistant, who floats the half veil over my face. The lace catches the light. For a moment, even I can’t look away.

Rachel tilts her head, studying me in the mirror. “This dress?—”

“Is the one.” I stare at my reflection in awe.

Prior to today, I only saw the dress on the website but wearing it…is a completely different experience. It feels perfect. Like it was tailored for me.

“Oh, my goodness.” Raya clasps her hands. “Thisis your dress.”

Rachel beams.

Harper sniffs and wipes a tear from her eyes. "You look beautiful."

I turn this way, then that, taking in my reflection. Who is this ethereal creature? This woman, clad in silk and lace, with a curvy figure that looks like an hourglass? Wow.

Finally. The perfect dress.

My heart feels so full. The backs of my eyes burn. This wedding is going to be perfect.

I need to get my friends to understand why Brody is the perfect man for me.

I get control of my emotions, then turn to Rachel and the shop assistant. “Can you give us a few minutes?”

“Of course.” Rachel nods to the assistant, and they both leave.

When the door closes behind them, I turn to my sister and my best friend. “I’m marrying Brody because I have feelings for him.” Not a lie, I do. I am powerfully attracted to him. And so is he, to me. “And he…he needs to marry in order to inherit.”

Harper and Raya exchange a worried glance.

“But does he love you?” Harper frowns.

“I want to be with him. And he wants to be with me too.”Isn’t that why he proposed to me and not someone else?

When Raya opens her mouth, I raise my hand. “I know you’re concerned. And I appreciate it. But really, I know this is right for me. Brody… He and I… Well, there’s a lot of chemistry between us. It’s not a bad basis for a marriage at all.”