The three of us decide to leave the bar in favor of hitting the city to explore. I’m giddy with excitement—and honestly, a little bit buzzed—but at the same time, I can’t help but wish that Ryan was here with us.

He is my fiancé after all, and this city is filled with romance at every turn. Love practically bounces off the pavement, walls, and water. It’s everywhere.

Of course, if he were here, he’d likely spend the entire time complaining and insisting that I go on my own. It’s just one of his quirks, so it’s better that I do it now while he’s not around.

We’ll have the rest of our lives to sightsee like this in cities around the world, right?

At the same time, the disappointment is eating me up from the inside out.

I know that he’s been here before, and this is old news to him, much like Allison, but I can’t help but wonder why he has no interest in exploring with me.

Even more than that, I’ve been here for the better part of a day and still haven’t heard from him.

“There are a few things you must see when you visit Venice,” Dante’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “You’ve already taken a gondola—and a dip in the canals,” he snickers.

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” I groan, rubbing my forehead.

That definitely wasn’t one of my finest moments, and I’m pretty sure I’ll never live it down. At least Ryan wasn’t here to see that, because he’d have probably told me that I was being childish, and the last thing I want to do is look childish in front of him.

“Well, don’t worry. I’ll hold onto you when we get to Ponte di Rialto.” A smile plays on his lips, and I find myself eyeing them a little longer than I should.

He has a very dashing smile and full, sensuous-looking lips. Part of me wonders what it would feel like to kiss them.

I gasp, a little louder than intended.

What the hell has gotten into me? Why am I thinking about kissing Dante when I’m getting married to Ryan tomorrow?

The streets are just so beautiful.

I’m overcome with romanticism. I must be missing Ryan.

Yeah, that’s it. That’s all it is.

“Have you been to Piazza San Marco yet?” Dante asks, and it’s all I can do to thank goodness that he can’t read my mind.

I shake my head.

“Well then, that’s where we’re headed!”

When we arrive, I gasp again at the sheer marvelousness of the architecture surrounding me, and my excitement bubbles up, for perhaps the hundredth time today.

“What a gorgeous sight!” I exclaim, bobbing back and forth on my heels. I look up at Dante who’s smiling at me, and my heart does a little pitter patter.

The sun is beginning to set in these early evening hours, so the Piazza is starting to come alive. It’s illuminated with what seems like a thousand lights, and it’s simply awe-inspiring.

I know I look like a tourist, but at this moment, I can’t find it in me to even give a shit.

Now, I’m really missing Ryan. I imagine him and I walking arm in arm, taking in the charming atmosphere and talking about the history each of these buildings represents.

Of course, deep down, I know that’s not at all what we would be doing, but it’s okay to fantasize a bit, particularly the day before the most important day of your life, isn’t it?

We spend the next few hours touring Venice, walking and taking advantage of water taxis. Eventually, we arrive at the door of the costume shop that Dante recommended.

“Ladies first,” he says as he holds the door open for Allison and myself.

I find myself charmed at what a gentleman he’s being.

After all, Ryan has never opened a door for me the whole time we’ve been dating.

The difference between Ryan and Dante is like night and day. Ryan’s very stiff, while Dante just goes with the flow. Honestly, it’s a nice change, for once.

The inside of the shop simply blows my mind. Ornate masks with detailed designs adorn the walls, some with feathers, others with velvet, all equally stunning. Elegant outfits with chiffon, lace, and fringe sit on mannequins, beckoning me to try them on.

“Ooh, look at this one!” Allison squeals as she picks up a full face mask with scrolls and intricate metallic detailing.

“This one’s perfect for you,” Dante holds a half mask up to my face, nodding as he does. “Very fitting for a beautiful lady.”

For once, I’m glad my face is obscured behind this mask—I can feel the heat of a blush creeping up my face.

He’s such a charmer, and even if he’s only saying it to be nice, he certainly knows how to make a woman feel good about herself.

I nod, taking it from him. The white velvet mask is exquisite and graceful, and I immediately spot a dress that will go perfectly with it.

While Dante turns back to the masks, presumably picking one out for Ryan, I run my fingers over the soft satin. The dress is perfection in every way.

It’s white with a fitted design at the waist and flared skirt that goes all the way to the ankles and the most subtle of trains flowing behind that makes it the ideal dress for our ceremony.

The neckline plunges, leaving just enough to the imagination. The most perfect thing about it though, is that it has a red shimmer throughout. I couldn’t find a more perfect dress if I had one custom made.

I try it on in the changing room, confirming that this dress is indeed the dress. It hugs me in all the right places, and when I hold the mask up to my face, it blends seamlessly together.

I can feel the joy rising in my chest. Ryan is going to be blown away, I can just tell.

I change back into my original outfit, and see Dante picking out the final touches of Ryan’s ensemble. The mask he chose perfectly matches mine, though it’s black to contrast with my white one.

“What do you think?” He says holding the mask and costume up side by side.

“Perfect, right?”

I nod. They truly are perfect, but I still have my doubts about Ryan going along with this.

“They are, but Ryan…”

“I said it before, but trust me, I’ll handle Ryan.” He gives me a charming wink. “What are best men for if not for convincing the groom to wear the best outfit possible?”

His easy-going manner fills me with hope. If anyone can persuade Ryan, it’ll be Dante.

After finishing our shopping, the three of us head back towards the hotel.

“How about some dinner before you ladies call it a night? We can go dancing afterwards.”

Allison is chomping at the bit.

She’s been fussing and fawning over Dante all day. To be perfectly honest, I can’t blame her. He’s hot and knows how to treat a lady.

I can almost see the wheels turning in her head, figuring out a way to get Dante to invite her for a nightcap.

“I don’t think so,” I feign a yawn, fully intending to throw Allison a bone. All she needs is some alone time, and Dante’s sure to fall for her beguiling nature.

It doesn’t matter if she spends the night with him, because I have Ryan and—

“Oh, come on... look,” he holds up his phone, showing me a message from Ryan that asks him to look after me. “What kind of best friend would I be, if I let his fiancé end the night without some food and dancing? Trust me, it’ll be fun.”

He’s got me there. How many more times will I have the opportunity to go dancing? Every time I’ve asked Ryan to take me, he’s flatly refused. This may be the last time, other than the wedding, that I get to dance the night away in a beautiful city.

My eyes drift back to the message on the phone. Ryan got in touch with Dante, but hasn’t responded to any of my messages. The niggling doubt is settling in, and a night out might just be the welcome distraction I need.

“What the hell?” I shrug, smiling at Dante. “Nothing wrong with one last hurrah, right?”