Page 22 of Letting You Go

It had been half an hour, and I stood with my jaw tight as the girl put the last few pins in the back of my dress. “All right, I think that’s it,” she said, running her hand over my torso. “I’ll help you get out of the dress so you don’t stab yourself.”

A few minutes later, I pulled the curtain open in time to see Jackson come walking around the corner. The look on his face told me he had just been put through torture, and I couldn’t help but giggle to myself. I looked behind him, wondering why Zoe wasn’t attached to his hip, and then I heard her. She was on the phone but watched us both from the counter as he stopped in his tracks and held his hand out in front of him, signaling for me to go first. I smiled and turned toward the counter, almost jumping as I felt his hand across my lower back.

“Hey, everything go okay?” He questioned. He was close enough to me I could feel the heat from his body, his cologne invading my senses.

I looked down at the floor, biting my bottom lip before meeting his gaze. “Hey, as well as one could expect.”

“How’ve you been?” he asked quietly.

I shrugged, not sure what I should tell him. “I’m doing the best I can be. You?”

“Well, now that is over with, I’m much better,” he said, nodding in Zoe’s direction, who was now watching us intently.

I gave a tiny laugh as she shook his head in disbelief and then took a defensive tone at whatever the person on the other end of the phone was saying to her. I couldn’t help but still feel a touch of jealousy, knowing that there had been something between them.

When Zoe turned around, Jackson’s hand fell from my lower back. She looked at Jackson with a longing gaze and then at me, with one of jealousy and irritation.

“So, Bailey, everything go okay?” she questioned, pulling a book out from under the counter.

I nodded. “Yes, it went fine.”

“I’m glad. We will get that dress ready for you and have one last fitting before the wedding,” she said, searching through her pile of invoices. “That will be one hundred and fifty for the alterations.” Zoe made a few notes on my invoice. “So tell me, are you married, Bailey?”

I looked at Jackson, who shrugged as he looked at me. I squirmed uncomfortably at Zoe’s question.

“No, I’m not married,” I murmured, handing over my credit card. “Why?”

“Oh, I get most of my business through referrals. I figured if you knew someone or…oh never mind, don’t worry, I’m sure the right one will come along soon.”

I frowned. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut as I looked over my shoulder at Jackson, who stood there with a smirk on his face. I glanced back to Zoe, who gave me a curt smile as she handed me my credit card, which I shoved back into my purse.

“See you next time.” She said to me, clearly waiting for me to leave before she dealt with Jackson.

* * *

“Cara, what on earth were you thinking sending me there for a dress fitting today?”

“Hey, you were supposed to go with us. It wasn’t my fault you got called into work and had to change your appointment.” She looked back down at the menu in front of her and continued looking for something to order.

“You could have warned me that Jackson would be there today,” I bit out as I placed a glass of water down on the bar with purpose in front of her.

Cara laughed. “I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t think that through very well. Did it go okay though? I mean, was she okay to deal with?”

“Didn’t think it through? Are you kidding me? You didn’t think it through at all. Instead, I got to watch Zoe fall all over Jackson. You’re going to look stunning in this tux. It will most definitely bring out the color of your eyes,” I mimicked, grabbing Glenn and lacing my arm through his. “Wish I could be your date to the wedding,” I said as I flipped my hair off my shoulder.

Cara and Glenn burst into a fit of laughter at my theatrics.

“She also loved giving me a hard time, every single chance she got. Is she like that with you, too?” I questioned.

“Yes, the last time I was in there, I had to remind her how much money I was bringing into her shop. That woman is pathetic. She is all over every man who walks in there.”

“It’s true,” Glenn answered. “Last fall, my buddy got married. I swear that woman would have slept with all of us if given the chance.”

“I could see that. Oh, you’re not married, don’t worry, the right one will come along.” I once again mimicked while both Cara and Glenn laughed.

“I hate to end this enlightening conversation, but I’ve got to run to the bank. Can you handle it here?” Glenn questioned.

I looked around the empty bar and nodded. “I think I’ve got it under control.”

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