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“I’m not, but go on, keep talking.” She motioned with her hand to keep the compliments coming.

Julie giggled and wrapped her up in a big warm hug. “You are the best, Taylor. Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me yet, I still have to hem the dress and make the bustle and then do a final fitting.”

“I have no doubt you’ll crush it.”

Crush it? She almostwascrushed today, but she wasn’t going to bring that up to her cousin. She’d rather forget about what happened during her jog this morning, forget about the panic in Coop’s eyes when he’d thought he might’ve injured her.

“You have so much faith in me,” she told Julie.

“I do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have asked you to help pick out my wedding cake.”

Taylor smiled. “I have to admit, it sounds like fun, but I’m feeling a little guilty. Shouldn’t Miguel be in on this?”

“If he can get away from work, he’ll join us. Techy problems never end. I guess that’s a good thing or my soon-to-be-husband wouldn’t have a job.”

“Computers, can’t livewiththem, can’t livewithoutthem.”

They looked at each other and giggled, Julie taking her hand and squeezing. “I’m so glad you’re here, Taye. And it’s not just because you made me the most beautiful gown in the world or the help you’re giving me. I’ve missed you. I used to love all those summers we spent together.”

“I’ve missed you too. I have the best memories of Last Stand. Seeing each other once in a while doesn’t seem like quite enough, does it?” She smiled at her cousin.

Julie was like a sister to her, and it was never more evident than right now as they worked on the wedding together.

“No, it doesn’t. Wish we could fix that,” Julie said with a bit of whimsy. “I mean, you really don’t have to go back to New York.” She raised her brows expectantly.

“Not for a few weeks.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Julie stared at her and Taylor was immediately put on guard. She loved it here, but Last Stand wasn’t her home. She didn’t fit in here, not where it counted. She’d grown up in the big city with traffic and skyscrapers and white Christmases. She’d studied in New York. She’d landed her first job in New York. She had an apartment and friends. Her entire adult life had been filled with big city dreams.

“I love you, but there’s no future for me here in Last Stand. As soon as I get back, I’m going to have to do a full-court press to get a job.” She shrugged, hearing the discouragement in her own voice.

She wasn’t looking forward to going home and trying to find work. She wasn’t good with résumés and talking herself up. In a perfect world, her designs would sell themselves. Like that would ever happen.

For now, she just wanted to pretend she was on a month-long vacation. She wanted to focus on Julie’s wedding and forget her problems.

“I have no doubt you’ll find work, Taylor. You’re too talented not to be noticed. But, can’t a bride-to-be do some wishful thinking?”

“Not fair, you’re using the bride card.”

“Is so fair. I only have a few more weeks with that title.”

“Yeah, then you’ll be a married woman.”

“Hard to believe. It’s surreal, you know? Remember all those summers we talked about what our weddings would be like?”

“Of course I remember,” she said quietly. They were two young girls with lofty dreams, collecting magazine photos of brides and flowers and wedding venues. “And now, your dreams are coming true. You’re getting married to a great guy in a beautiful church in grand fashion.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to…to—”

“It’s okay, Julie. I figure when the time comes, I’ll be ready. I’m not now. So, you don’t have to feel even a teensy bit guilty that you found your once-in-a-lifetime guy.”

“I don’t feel guilty. I just want you to have what I have. I know there’s someone wonderful out there for you.”

“And when I find love, you’ll be the first one I tell.”