Page 41 of Finding Her Leading Man

She took two and chewed them as Becky filled Trevor in on the package.

She stepped close enough to Trevor that he got the message and wrapped both arms around her, bringing her tight against his chest.

She set her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and focusing on the pain, willing it to go away.

Her wedding dress was here. She’d have to face it now. Sell it. Give it away. Acknowledge one more time that the day she’d envisioned foryearswould never happen.

“Is that why you destroyed your cell phone?” he asked.

“Partly.” She hated feeling weak. Helpless. Like one of the annoying characters she played on stage. Why wasn’t she stronger than this? Why did her anxiety affect her physically? She wished she could just act like it didn’t bother her, but it was too personal.

Angry, Samantha. Get angry!

After another deep breath, she took a step back. Trevor didn’t drop his arm, but he loosened his hold on her.

Becky crossed her arms and tapped her foot in a slow, steady pattern. Her lips pressed together in a tight, thin line.

“What?” Samantha couldn’t possibly imagine what Becky had twirling around in her brain.

“Do you want to sell your dress?”

“To you?”

“No. You’re almost six feet tall. I could never fit into it. Do you plan on saving your dress?”

The plan of ignoring it ever existed had ended. Now she faced down her past one more time. The antacids helped ease the pain a little. She should move away from Trevor, but his strong arm remained firmly around her shoulders.

“No. I don’t have a reason to save it. I loved it, but I think it will always remind me of Jasper.”

“Good. Then I just came up with our bachelorette party Saturday.” Becky rubbed her hands. Literally, like a diabolical schemer from a movie. “Trash the dress.”

“With what?” Trevor asked.

“I’ll come up with something.” She raised an eyebrow. “Are you in or out? I need you fully committed. Once we do this, there’s no going back. Is there any way you’ll go back to Jasper?”

“No.” The one word shot from her lips. It brought a small sense of pride. He might have hurt the crap out of her, but she wouldn’t accept him back. No matter what.

Trevor squeezed her tighter.

“Then do it. It will help you get over him. And Saturday was supposed to be your wedding day. Instead of being sad, be mad,” Becky said.

“I’m trying to be angry. I thought before it’d be easier just to be sad, but I’m tired of it.” She rubbed her free hand along her temple. “I’m starting to see how weak I’ve become.”

Trevor kissed her other temple. “You’re anything but weak, Sam.”

Becky set her hands on her hips. “I agree. And I’m about to make you feel strong and in control. I told you I was your woman if you ever got mad at the asshole.”

Trevor pulled away, concern turning his features severe. “You don’t have to decide right now.”

Becky huffed. Trevor’s entire focus stayed locked on Samantha. His hands ran up and down her arms. “We can figure out something else to do to take your mind off the wedding.”

Samantha patted his hand. He was a very sweet guy. Becky’s idea had taken hold, though. She could do this and maybe destroy a little of the spineless wimp she’d become in the process. “Thank you,” she mumbled, then turned to Becky. “I’m in. Trash the dress.”

15

“Icould have driven myself.” Samantha stood, arms crossed, trying her hardest to look somewhere other than at Trevor. She exhaled. His eyes always drew her in, and she didn’t have the emotional strength to stay distant much longer. Each time they’d been alone, their kiss replayed in her mind. But he hadn’t tried to kiss her again.

“Of course, you can.” He stood by the passenger door of a two-door Audi. “You can drive this one if you like. But I’d like to ride out there together.”

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