The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

I kept quiet about what Antonio was saying.

"I'm not here to hassle you," he said. "It's my folks who want to meet you."

To Antonio, the wedding was my personal show.

He only reached out when he wanted something from me.

I was too tired to argue, ready to crash.

At home, the table was a mess of leftover chicken and ham.

My dad was chatting with Antonio's dad.

Antonio's mom grabbed my hand, all warm and fuzzy. "So glad to see you. I miss you so much."

I managed a weak grin. She took a look at Stella and then leaned in. "What's the deal with Stella and Antonio? She's not exactly the best company. You should talk to Antonio about it."

I just grunted, not really saying much.

When I raised my head, Antonio was already next to Stella.

He'd brought some wedding and bridesmaid dresses for us to try.

"I know you've got enough on your plate, so I got Stella to pick out your wedding dress. She's

got a better sense of style than you," he said, handing me the dress.

I slipped the simple wedding dress on, only to find a big rip right down

the middle.

Stella, on the other hand, was in a white dress that trailed behind her. She looked more like the bride than I did.

Antonio jumped in. "It's probably a mix-up from the bridal shop. It's not on Stella."

me a chance to speak. "It's late. We can deal with the

eager to be

"How about we take

her way in,

to stand right by Antonio's

to click, she gave

blurry figure, too hazy to even tell who it was. Antonio

off with a laugh, "Let's do it some other time. It's

was the last thing on my

all apologies, her eyes welling up

all over town tonight, trying to find you the perfect dress," she said

look and went

11

so tired and bored. I just left

everything would be settled

at my place, I started

late, and I stumbled upon Antonio's diary, completely by

out the

Stella

days, in

for travelers.

mattered most

remained was just a note. "This was the best time

was filled with his yearning for

his diary had a confession. "I can't make myself love

Please

God."

With my white dress and long, straight hair Presembled a

with Antonio, we'd have some kind

connection.