“You know I’ll take care of her, right?” David said, gently shaking Mike’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I know.” He nodded, then they linked hands in a weird upside-down gesture—the ‘brotherhood handshake’. “You’re like a brother to me, man, and…I love that girl—more than I damn well should. If I had to choose any guy on the planet to marry her, I’m glad it’s one who loves her as much as I do.”

David looked down and nodded, then wrapped his arms around Mike. They hugged, patted each other’s backs loudly and broke away, clearing their throats.

“Come on then.” Mike and David walked out of the frame. “It’s time to get our shoes on.” The scene went silent, a washed out hum the only remaining sound as the camera fell into the darkness of Dad’s leather bag. I closed the screen and looked up at Emily, who stood in the doorway, covering her face as she burst into tears.

“Oh, Emily.”

“I’m never going to be the only one, am I?” She landed beside me, falling straight into my waiting arms.

“Em.” I sighed.

“What do I have to do to fill your shoes, Ara? I can’t compete anymore. When he sees you, his heart picks up—I can hear it, and I can feel the way his body gets hotter when you’re near him.”

“Doesn’t that happen when he’s with you?”

“Yes. But you’re missing the point.”

“No, I’m not, Em.” I chuckled softly. “Mike and I loved each other all our lives—this is gonna be a long transition, especially since we all live together. Look—” I brushed her hair from her face. “When David and I leave for Paris today it’ll give you and Mike a chance to fall in love properly, okay? Like it should be—away from ex’s and all. This’ll be good for you.”

Emily nodded. “Yeah, if he doesn’t jump on a plane after you.”

I can so see that happening. “Emily, Mike loves you.”

“No. He needs me, he likes me, but not love. I’m sure of that now,” she said with a nod of composure.

“What makes you think that?”

“Well, he still hasn’t said it.”

“What?”

“I told him I love him, and he just kissed the top of my head and rubbed my arm.”

I slapped my forehead. “Em. Mike loves you. He’s just an idiot, that’s all. He told me he loves you.”

“Really?”

I took a deep breath and shook my head. “Talk to him. Ask him if he loves you.”

“But what if he says no?”

“Then you’ll know. And you won’t have to agonise over it any longer.”

Emily smiled softly and touched the ends of my hair; “I love it when you make sense.”

“How’s my little bride-to-be going?” Vicki asked as she walked in.

“Great.” I stood up. “I’m just heading for a shower.”

“A shower?” Vicki’s lips twisted. “Ara, you had one last night—remember? So you wouldn’t ruin your hair, today.”

“Oh, right.” I slapped my palm to my brow again. “I just don’t know what I’m doing. I haven’t been able to think clearly all morning.”

“That’s because you rushed into this,” Vicki said, sitting on my bed. “You planned and executed a wedding in a few weeks. You didn’t even have an engagement party or a bridal shower or—”

“Vicki.” I turned away, shaking my head. “I told you, and I’m not going to argue with you about this today. I don’t want any fuss. I just wanna get married and—”

“But you didn’t even paint your nails, or get a tan this time.”

I looked down at my pretty, rounded nails. “David wants to marry me, Vicki, not some primped-up, polished, plastic-doll version of the girl he loves. Just me—simple, elegant me. Weddings don’t need to be a big deal.”

“I’m sorry, Ara. I just don’t want you to regret it one day when you grow up and realise that a wedding means more than you thought.”

“I’m sure if that happens we can always renew our vows.” I sighed and looked at Emily. “I need to get my dress on. It’s nearly time.”

“Okay, get out of your jammies, I’ll go get it.” Emily scuttled off to the wardrobe.

I looked at Vicki; she smiled softly—her white flag—and hugged me. “I’m sorry, Ara. You already look beautiful, and I’m so happy for you. David’s a very nice boy. I don’t think you could’ve done better if you’d married Mike.”

“Thanks, Vicki.” I hugged back.

“Okay.” She stepped away and wiped her face. “I’ll go greet the guests, and we’ll see you down there in twenty minutes.”

I nodded.

As the door closed, I quickly shimmed out of my pyjamas. Bumps of frost-aversion littered my half-naked body. I crossed my arms over my waist and looked out the window, tapping my foot to get warm. We can’t really class this as spring, despite the fact that, according to the groundhog, it’s the official first day. There was still snow outside last week, and only very few leaves on the trees. But we don’t have time to wait for the sun. Immortality awaits, and so do a band of blood-thirsty, hate-fuelled vampires.

“Hey.” Emily smiled at me, carrying a pile of white lace over her arm. “Nice underwear—David’ll like those.”

“I know.” I just wonder how you know. I cupped my hands over my bare breasts; the icy touch of my fingers brought blood to the surface in a rush to warm my skin.

Emily dropped my dress to the floor and made a circle in the waist for me to step into. As the zip reached a stop—just under my shoulder blades—I traced my fingers along the rounded neckline. “David will love this,” I said.

Emily nodded and tied the crimson velour sash around the high waist—just under my ribs, pinching the delicate lace of the skirt to tidy the folds. It moved, flowing softly like silk sheets on a breeze. “Hold out your arms.”

I took a zombie pose, removing my bangle first so Emily could loop the elastic of the sleeve over my index finger—forming a peak across the back of my hand.

“Now, sit.” She pushed my shoulders; I plonked onto the stool, cupping my bangle over the lace sleeve. “I need to take the rest of these braids out.”