Page 14 of Silent Cravings

A shadow passed over her face but vanished quickly. “Okay,” she said with a shrug. “Whatever you think is best.I’m too grateful to question anything you have to say right now.”

“Careful,” I warned. “Say that kind of thing to the wrong guy, and you might regret it.”

One eyebrow slowly arched, her pouty lips pursing. “And what makes you the right guy?” she countered.

God, those lips. That delicious mouth. “I never said I was,” I whispered, staring while the devil on my shoulder pointed out how easy it would be to lean down and taste her again.

She stiffened, then backed away. “I’ve seen all I need to. I’m going to get on Rose and Colton to firm up their guest list by the end of the week and rush print on invites.”

The moment was over. In the end, it was not a bad thing, though I fought a deflated feeling as I closed the drapes. “I’ll reach out with menu info,” I offered. “We’ll have to keep in close touch.”

She snickered, turning on her heel and striding across the empty floor. Damn, her ass was a work of art I couldn’t help staring at. “This isn’t my first rodeo, cowboy.”

5

VALENTINA

“Who’s ready for another mimosa?” Olivia Goldsmith held up a pitcher of orange juice, which was sitting on ice, along with a pair of champagne bottles and, beside it, an assortment of treats, savory and sweet. The sight of the sumptuous spread laid out on the table at the Goldsmith flagship store made my mouth water. Ari had given us free rein to go through their bridal collection and pull any pieces we liked.

“Rose, honey? Do you need more ginger ale?” Rose shook her head while a pair of stylists attached clips to the back of a stunning but simple ivory gown. The gown’s empire waist and full skirt flattered her slightly fuller figure. Her preference had been a form-fitting mermaid silhouette, but she didn’t want even the slightest baby bump to appear larger in a tight dress.

Aria openedthe dressing room curtain and stepped out, wearing a peach chiffon dress with the hem skimming the floor. “I like the little capelet,” she announced, playing withthe transparent layer of chiffon skimming her shoulders and chest. “It’ll help me cover these flabby arms.”

“Shut up.” Sienna laughed. “There’s not an ounce of flab on you, girl.” She twirled in front of a mirror, wearing a silk, navy strapless tea-length whose hem fell below her knee.

“I like them both so much.” Rose sighed, looking from Sienna to Aria in the mirror while Olivia and Lourde fussed like the mothers they were, tearing up almost as much as the hormonal bride-to-be. “How am I supposed to choose? And when are you going to try something on?” she demanded, finding me in the mirror.

“Hello? My twin is right here. And we are the same size. Whatever looks good on her will look good on me.” A bridesmaid’s dress was the least of my worries.

“It is so refreshing to see a bride worried about how her bridesmaids feel in their dresses,” Sienna pointed out as she poured herself another mimosa.

“Right?” Aria giggled on her way back to her dressing room, where another pair of dresses waited to be tried on. “Remember Penelope Schwartz’s wedding? Those poor girls looked like they were on their way to a costume party where the theme wastacky.”

“I’m pretty sure she’s been the worst since the day she was born,” I agreed, only half listening while typing an email to a florist I was determined to work with on this. There would be more than one as I had a big vision in mind, and there would be no way to pull it off in such a short amount of time without extra hands and resources.

“The marriage only lasted, what? A year?” Rose sounded sincerely sad, even a little emotional. “Nobody imagines their marriage will only last a year when they’re trying on their dresses, you know?”

Sienna had gotten her cue, appearing at Rose’s side,holding out a pack of tissues. “Those damn hormones,” she murmured as Rose pulled a tissue from the pack and dabbed at her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled before laughing shakily. “I can’t get a hold of myself.”

“It must be pretty bad if you’re tearing up over Penelope, of all people.” I stood beside her once the stylists stepped back and smiled at her reflection. “What do you think? How do you feel in this?”

“I feel like a bride,” she whispered, smiling through the tears that still sparkled in her eyes. “I can’t shake the feeling I should pinch myself.”

“Look out, everybody.” Aria flung the curtain open again, this time wearing a tight-fitting pink dress that barely reached her knees and fit her like a glove.

Rose whistled in appreciation. “You look hot, but you’re not allowed to look better than the bride.”

“Honey, nobody will be able to take their eyes off you,” Aria promised, tugging the hemline self-consciously before yanking the bodice up to cover more of her boobs. “I couldn’t wear this. I’d be fidgeting the whole day.”

“Miles would like it,” I teased. It was fun to watch her blush, and it only deepened when she glanced toward the older women hovering nearby. Their relationship was still new enough, and the memory of her hating him was still fresh enough that I could enjoy giving her shit over falling for somebody she was determined to hate when they first met. Considering they were now on the verge of moving into his new penthouse together, that attitude hadn’t lasted very long.

It occurred to me as the moms gathered close and praised Rose that I was the only single girl left in the group. Not that I was in any hurry to settle down. It would takesomeone with a lot of patience to handle a girlfriend whose job meant she spent most of her time at clubs, bars, and parties she promoted. It meant constantly being surrounded by men, with most of them drunk or on their way there by the time we crossed paths. It was a recipe for tension, and who wanted to deal with that?

“I think this is the one.” Rose stared back at her reflection and wore a shy little smile as she turned away from the mirror, arms spread. The sweetheart neckline and thin straps showed off her creamy decolletage and toned shoulders to perfection, and her peaches and cream complexion glowed against the ivory silk. But that probably had something to do with the pregnancy. She had that special glow going on no matter what she wore.

“You’re radiant, darling,” Olivia whispered, her throat clogged with emotion while Aunt Lourde hugged her, also crying.

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