Page 39 of Between Two Shores

She flicked the vintage curtain aside and glanced over her shoulder. “Nick doesn’t focus on the physical side of the relationship. I have no idea how that’s going to go. His love language mustn’t be physical touch.” She closed the curtain behind her.

Trudy called out. “Every man’s language is physical touch. What are you talking about?”

Beth wriggled out of her jeans and continued to try on the dress. “It’s not Nick’s.”

“That can change.” This from Shanae.

“I don’t know how he feels, but for me, it’s just nice to be loved. He’s a good guy.”

“But what about that other Navy dude?” Trudy asked. “You had it bad for him.”

“Exactly. Bad being the key word. A sign that it wasn’t right. What I have with Nick is based on our lives aligning. We’re meant to be together.”

Silence fell amongst her sisters. Did they agree? She zipped the dress as far as she could reach, then stepped out of the fitting room. “Ta-Da!” As she twirled, her hair fell over her shoulders like in a shampoo commercial.

“Oohh. It’s beautiful, Beth.” Shanae rushed over and brushed the material between her fingers.

“Stunning.” Trudy looked over her thin-framed glasses. “Nick will definitely speak another love language when he sees you in that.”

They all laughed at the same time. Deep down, Beth hoped so too.

NICK

“What do you mean the marriage license hasn’t come?” Nick raked his fingers through his hair, paced Beth’s floor, then turned to stare at her again. This couldn’t be happening.

Beth raised her palms in the air, eyes bulging. “I checked the letterbox today, and it still hasn’t come. Thirty days' notice had finished yesterday.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Heat pulsated through his neck, rising to his cheeks.

She shook her head. “I didn’t want to concern you unless the thirty-days were up. I hoped—”

Nick let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s not your fault. Let’s go to the licensing center and sort this out.” He stamped his foot. “I can’t believe the wedding is in two days and then I leave for the US. What was I thinking? Of course, delays happen.” He ran a palm over his chin. “I’m sorry if we miss out on celebrating with your family.”

Beth stepped forward and rubbed both of his arms. “It’ll be okay. If we have to make it an engagement party, that’s fine. We can get married in America. My family can watch via a video call.”

“I wanted this for you. A woman dreams of her wedding day and wants to be walked down the aisle by their father. This is terrible.” He gazed into her compassionate eyes, shining from a film of moisture. No denying this was important to her. Failure number one. He failed Beth—robbed her of a childhood dream to be a stunning bride for all her family and friends to see.

Footsteps came down the hallway. Nick stepped away from Beth, and he forced a smile for the young lady with peroxide blonde hair and steely blue eyes. Must be Melissa, the single mom.

“What’s all the fuss out here?” She kept walking to the kitchen and called over her shoulder. “Having a lovers’ tiff?”

Beth left him and followed Melissa. “The marriage license didn’t arrive.” Beth sat on the breakfast bar stool, placed her elbows on the table, and sunk her head into her palms.

Yep. It mattered. Beth tried to pretend all would be okay to him, but now her friend was here to bare her soul to, she showed how she really felt. Devastated.

Melissa’s head whipped around, her hair slapping her mouth. “No! You serious? But you’ve paid all the deposits for the catering and reception. Will you get your money back?”

“Maybe some,” Beth mumbled into her hands.

“Hey.” Nick joined them and rubbed circles over Beth’s back. “It could come tomorrow. Let’s call the office first and see where it’s at. We could be getting worked up over nothing.”

Beth turned with a pink flush to her face. “You were the one getting all worked up over there.” She flicked her head to the living room.

Melissa eyed him with suspicion. Rightly so. He did let his temper slide a little. Nothing like the past. In his twenties, he had an anger issue. The night he’d received a broken jaw sorted that problem out. A punch of reality. He pressed his chin—still numb from the surgery.

Beth slipped off the barstool. “You could be right. I’ll find the paperwork and give them a call.” She strode out of the room. Leaving him with feisty Melissa.

The woman grabbed a block of cheese from the fridge and slapped it onto the cutting board. Despite her stiff resolve, he straddled the bar stool and attempted some conversation. “So, I hear you have an adorable little girl. Hannah?”

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