Page 19

Lisa and I walk a few blocks until we find a coffee shop, where we grab two lattes and collapse into chairs.
Lisa leans back, letting out a low laugh. “I don’t envy you, you know. Your mother-in-law can be a bit overbearing.”
“A bit?” I say, rolling my eyes, exhaustion settling into my bones. “I don’t know how I’m going to handle her. She wasn’t like this when it was Daniel I was getting married to.”
“She probably doesn’t want this chance to slip by again,” Lisa says.
We sip our coffees in silence for a few moments before my phone buzzes. It’s Andrew.
“Did you find a dress?” His voice is casual, but I can hear the interest there.
“No,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “But I’ll keep looking. They’re getting new stock next week, so...” I can’t exactly tell him that I did find the perfect dress for me but it wasn’t good enough for his mother.
“If you like, we can fly out over the weekend. Try some other locations. I hear New York is a fashion center,” he says.
I’m touched by the suggestion. “No, it’s fine. I’ll find one. I promise, I won’t get married in denim.”
He chuckles. “Good to hear.”
Then, after a pause, he adds, “How about dinner next week?”
I hesitate, my mind going back to my dad. “I’ll be pretty busy between now and the wedding.”
There’s silence on the other end, but he doesn’t press. We end the call soon after, and I let out a long sigh.
Lisa watches me carefully. “You’re avoiding him.”
“It’s not that,” I admit. “I just want to spend as much time with my Dad as I can before the wedding. It won’t be the same after I’m married. I can’t keep sneaking out to check on him like I do now.”
“Maybe you should tell Andrew about your dad,” Lisa suggests gently. “He’ll understand. He might even help.”
That’s not even an option. “I can’t. Dad was adamant that no one find out about his illness. If I tell Andrew, he’ll tell his family, and from there... who knows? The company could take a hit if word gets out.”
Lisa gives me a sympathetic look but doesn’t push. “When are you moving into Andrew’s place?”
“Right before the wedding.” The thought of living in the same house with Andrew terrifies me.
It’s odd but I didn’t feel this way with Daniel. There’s something in the air when I’m with Andrew. A pull. Something I don’t want to feel for anybody, let alone a man marrying me for business purposes.
“Sounds like a plan,” Lisa says, smiling as she sips her coffee.
A sigh escapes my lips. “What a wasted day. Not exactly the kind of day I had envisioned, and no wedding dress.”
Lisa looks thoughtful, “It doesn’t have to be a wasted day, you know.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“You really liked that dress, didn’t you? The simple satin one?” she asks, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
I nod slowly, unsure of where she’s going with this.
“Why don’t we go back to the store and get it? You’ll have your dress, and Barbara won’t know you snuck back and made the purchase,” she says, a grin on her face.
I blink, then a grin starts to spread across my face. “That’s the best idea you’ve come up with today.”
Lisa laughs and clinks her coffee cup against mine. “Let’s do it. You’ll feel better once you have your dress, not one Mrs. Bennett pushed on you.”
Guilt comes over me. I know my mother wouldn’t care but Barbara would be terribly hurt. I swallow down my guilt. Our tastes are vastly different and no wedding dress I pick, today or any other day will please her.