Page 23 of Very Special Forces

"Oh, howlovely of your mom," smiled Julia. Then she shook her head. "No,this is my dress for the engagement party. Bryce thought I shouldget the hem altered to make it the right length."

"Here'syour purchase," said Cherry, handing me the box. "I just love yourchoice."

"Thankyou!"

The doorbell jangled again and a tall man with a crop of dark hair steppedin and looked around. His face split into a gleaming white smilewhen he saw Julia. "Honey, did you drop off the dress?" heasked.

"Justdoing it now," she said, smiling happily at him before she turnedand draped the bag over the counter, unzipping it to reveal a flashof deep rosy pink. She turned back and said, "Lexi, this is myfiancé, Bryce. Bryce, this is the woman I told you I ran into atthe gym. She's a friend of Jas and also a friend of the owner ofLily's Bar. Oh, and this is Lily. I'm sorry, I didn't see youthere," she said when Lily moved.

"Hi,"said Lily, grinning as she maneuvered Poppy in her arms. "I'm sohappy to host your engagement party," she told Bryce.

"Irecognize you! I've seen you at the bar. We can't thank you enough,especially after that disaster at the other place; it looked likewe'd have to cancel. Am I a lucky guy to get to take this woman outor what?" he asked, flashing a smile at everyone in the salon. Mymother beamed at him, Lily frowned a little but nodded. I took themoment to study him. Tall, in good shape beneath the tan chinos andwhite shirt, two buttons open casually at the neck. His watch wasexpensive, like his shoes, and his teeth had been given theHollywood whiter-than-white treatment. His smile was big and hiseyes dazzling. I could see why Julia fell for him: he was aterrific looking man. "Honey," he continued, his attention back onJulia, "I'm going to wait outside. We're on a parking meter sodon't take forever. And remember, just two inches will make thedress perfect." He winked at us, then slipped out again.

Juliahanded the dress over, repeated the alterations, paid and turnedback to us. "Lily, I'll call you later to confirm the plans andthen I guess we'll see you at the party?"

"Soundsperfect," agreed Lily.

"Bye,everyone!" Julia waved, smiling as she left the salon.

"Luckygirl," muttered my mom. "Did you see the way he looked at her? Likeshe was the only woman in the room. Oh, to be looked at likethat!"

"Dadlooks at you like that," I said.

"Helooks at the Sunday roast like that," said Mom but she smiled. Shewas wrong. Well, partially. My dad did gaze at food with nothingbut unbridled love in his eyes; but after more than four decades ofmarriage to my mom, it was clear he still loved her. That love waspart of what made me and my siblings who we were.

We saidour goodbyes to the sales assistants and stepped outside into thewarmth of the sun. Victoria clapped her hands and reached for thesky as she bounced in my mom's arms. Poppy snuggled against Lily'sshoulder and closed her eyes.

"I'mgoing to take this one to the car," said Mom. She kissed my cheek."Call me later."

"Thanksagain, Mom. I really appreciate you and Dad buying mydress."

"I knowthat guy," said Lily as my mom walked away.

"Who?" Iasked,

"Julia'sfiancé. Bryce. He comes into the bar occasionally with hisbuddies."

"Oh?"

"Well,obviously he's cute so he stands out."

Ilaughed. "What are your impressions of him?"

"He'sgreat! Really nice guy. Friendly, chatty. Always the first one atthe bar with his wallet out, getting the drinks in. The bar staffall love him, of course. He tips well and makes sure to askeveryone how they're doing and even remembers stuff they said; henever fails to ask them about it the next time he comes in. Oh, hegot into it once with a guy who was harassing Ruby and told him toget lost or he'd make him get lost!"

"Really?"

"Yeah! Iwasn't there but she told me the next day that he really stood upfor her when that jerk tried to cop a feel. He was just sitting atthe bar having a drink and he called out that guy. She said he gotangry real quick and was right back to his usual self a few minuteslater. I'm glad I can help them out with the party. I heard himtalking about his new girlfriend occasionally so it's nice to put aface to her name too. I didn't realize the two were together whenyou introduced us at the gym."

"Does hetalk about Julia regularly?" I asked.

"Yes,much to the heartbreak of every woman in my bar. He's alwaystalking her up and telling everyone how wonderful she makes himfeel and how she totally gets him. I think he's had issues withwomen in the past."

"How doyou mean?"

"I thinkhis ex was a hard case. Always on him about something. Playinggames. Wanted money. The one before that was the same."

"Hmm."

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