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."

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

replied, eager to be rid of the

"How about we take a group photo

her way

sure to stand

camera was about to click, she

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

waved it off with a laugh, "Let's do it some other time. It's late, and I'm

photo was the last thing on

all apologies, her

be mad at Antonio. I'll run all over town tonight, trying to find you the perfect dress," she said and then bolted

a look

11

bored. I just left with the dress that was in

would be

I started packing my

stumbled upon Antonio's

out

and Stella

days, in

for travelers.

most were torn

a note. "This was the best time

it was filled with his

day he asked me to marry him, his diary had a confession. "I can't make myself love her.

Please

God."

at myself in the mirror. With my white dress and long, straight

up together with Antonio, we'd have some kind

connection.