Next, Yasmin was whisked into the yard for the next stage of wedding planning. A mishmash of decorations were being constructed everywhere she looked, and it took her a moment to realize that they were getting a live sampling to choose from. On one hedge, a red ribbon was wrapped around in a bow, while another sported white tea lanterns.

“I think… I need a break,” Yasmin said faintly, reeling from the scope of it all. An overwhelming desire to crawl under her blankets and shut out the world came over her.

Narin gave her a quick look of concern. “Have some lunch and a rest.” She checked her watch. “We’ll meet in the salon at 3 for cake tasting.”

“Cake tasting?” Yasmin said faintly.

Narin gave her an indulgent look. “Go freshen up. I’ll see if Defne wants to join us this afternoon. She loves sweets and has a good palate.”

“Uh huh…” Yasmin made her way slowly up the stairs to her suite. It was a relief to close the door behind her and turn the lock. She let out a long breath and collapsed onto the couch. She curled her knees up, propped her hands on the back of the couch and rested her chin on her hands, gazing unseeing across the luxuriously landscaped yard.

It felt strange making all these wedding plans without her family. They should be involved in one of the most momentous occasions of her life. Even though she still planned on leaving as soon as she found an opportunity, she couldn’t bank on being able to get out before Volkan put a ring on it. Which meant, like it or not, she was getting married. And if she was getting married, she wanted her family to at least know.

With that in mind, she did as she was told and ate a lunch of olives, cheese, meats and freshly baked bread, which a servant brought up to her on a tray. After, she had a quick shower to freshen up, changed into a pair of black leggings and a pink top and made her way back downstairs.

Defne joined Yasmin and Narin for the cake tasting, which made the process far more fun than trying on wedding dresses. They laughed and ate, trying bites out of each cake, then going back to the beginning and trying them all over again.

“I like the white cake with the pink frosting best,” Defne announced, collapsing onto the sofa with her hands on her stomach.

“I prefer the chocolate ganache,” Yasmin said, joining her.

Narin smiled at the caterer and said, “We’ll take the ten-foot bridal tower, twelve layers, with the white cake and sea-foam icing.”

Yasmin rolled her eyes at Defne. “Good thing I’m here to help.”