Page 66 of Hale Yes (Highway to Hale #1)

I was nervous the first time we met because he was prattling on about aesthetics, and I had not a fucking clue.

I mean, I know the meaning of the word, but I had no idea of specifically what a “wedding aesthetic” was.

But he showed us lots of examples of classic, vintage elegance, art deco, minimalist, and so on.

Helix and I both loved the vintage elegance style and decided on the colors of off-white and silver, though Helix also requested accents of scarlet. He told me later that it was because it’s the color of my aura. He got Cinco de Mayo anal for that sweet idea.

“Nicolette, I have a question for you, and feel free to say no,” Ophelia says as her driver winds the black Mercedes through the streets of Houston.

“Sure, go ahead,” I tell her.

She takes my hand and squeezes. “I would like to buy your wedding dress.” I’m a little stunned. Maybe she thinks I can’t afford something that would be suitable for such an elegant wedding.

“That’s so kind of you, but it’s not necessary. I have some money allocated for that in my budget.”

“Oh, I know, sweetheart, and I’m not asking because I think you can’t afford it.” She smiles shyly. “I wanted to buy it as my gift to my new daughter.”

And that gets me all in the feels. I’m not accustomed to having a true mother figure in my life, but Ophelia and I are slowly working toward that type of relationship.

“Thank you,” I say softly. “That means a lot to me.”

She claps her hands beneath her chin like a giddy schoolgirl. “Excellent! I know you said you wanted a Bouvier dress. Would you prefer I get a designer to fly down here to Houston, or do you want to go to New York for a consultation?”

I think it over for about two seconds. “In New York since most of my bridal party live there already. My other bridesmaid, Shay, can fly up with us. Oh, and I’d like to bring Perri, even though she’s a groomswoman for Helix and not a bridesmaid.”

“Of course. That sounds perfect. Will your family be joining us, dear?” she asks delicately.

“No, I’d prefer my mother and sister not be there,” I reply simply.

Ophelia nods in understanding. “ Are you okay with me tagging along? I promise I won’t be a bother. I’d just like to be there to support you.”

So much affection for this woman rises up in my throat and threatens to choke me. She has been very helpful but never oversteps or tries to take over. She lets Helix and me choose and doesn’t offer suggestions unless she’s asked.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I tell my future mother-in-law.

I was a little apprehensive about the whole wardrobe selection thing. After all, I’m a grown woman who has been picking out her own clothes for years. But it turns out, having a consultant, a.k.a. Blaze, takes a lot of the pressure off me.

So far, we’ve selected a chic white jumpsuit for the engagement party next month, a pretty pink dress for the bridal shower, and a classy white dress for the rehearsal dinner.

Now that I’ve chosen all that, I don’t have to worry about a single thing.

Blaze will pair each outfit with the perfect shoes, jewelry, and bags, which will keep me from having to take off work and scramble around Houston to shop for accessories.

Then everything will be delivered to Helix’s house… or actually our house since I’ll be moving in with him once the lease on my townhome is up in June.

Ophelia and I are going through several racks of sample clothes to pick out some things for the honeymoon. She holds up a simple but beautiful blue sundress.

“What about this, Nicolette? There’s a lovely little café I’ve been to in Santorini, and I can just picture you wearing this for a casual brunch there. But maybe in green to match your eyes?”

“I love it,” I tell her, and she hands it to Blaze.

“I think that should be enough dresses. Let’s find some casual things since you want to be comfortable while you’re exploring. The evenings in Santorini can get cool in December, so I suggest long sleeves or a few light jackets.”

“Ahh, zhou’re going to Greece.” Blaze comments. “Zhou deedn’t want to be sooprised as to zee location of zee honeymoon?”

I shudder. “No way. I’ve never understood that whole thing where the bride has no idea where she’ll be spending some of the most exciting weeks of her life. I like to be prepared.”

“I oonderstand,” Blaze says in his thick accent. The man has a soft, lilting voice, but he’s built like Arnold Schwarzenegger, which doesn’t match at all. I’m convinced there’s some kind of ventriloquism going on.

Ophelia helps me select some nice but functional casual clothing, which Blaze notes on his tablet. Then he claps excitedly.

“Now eet is time to sink about your… bedtime attire. Vee have several directions vee can go. Zhou have zhour classy, or zhour sweet, innocent look, or zhou can go totally slooty.”

It takes me a second to realize he’s saying slutty , and I feel my cheeks heat.

“I think I’ll go get a cup of coffee,” Ophelia says diplomatically, patting my shoulder before exiting the room.

Blaze looks at me expectantly, and I whisper, “Let’s go with slooty.”

“That was so much fun,” Ophelia says once we’ve left Blaze’s headquarters. “Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.”

“Oh, please! I wouldn’t have wanted to go without you.” I pause and chew my bottom lip for a second before speaking again. “You told me before I can call you Mom. Is that still okay with you?”

Tears fill her brown eyes, and she nods as she reaches for a monogrammed handkerchief in her designer bag. “Nothing would make me happier. Now, let’s go grab some lunch together, daughter.”

The word doesn’t feel at all foreign on my tongue when I reply, “Okay, Mom.”