Gabriella extended her step into that of the lavish wedding dress shop and her eyes immediately connected to that of a stunning mermaid gown set upon a mannequin for viewing purposes only. But her fingers could not help but touch the satin fabric and rise to the jewel accents cascading as a sash from the left shoulder of the garment to the right hip. But her need to fondle the dress was not due to the fact she held any level of excitement to marry Alec, but because she imagined Maximus in his shoes instead. She couldn’t help but think of what her life would consist of if he was the one at the end of the aisle in place of that of a man she was forced to marry. She knew they would bicker but also make passionate love each night. She knew they would butt heads but also treasure one another-an
