Page 36 of Falling for You Again

I pressed my lips into a tense line so she wouldn’t notice them tremble.

“Is it the gown?”

“I shouldn’t have let Cheryl talk me into wearing it.” But I’d wanted to please my future mother-in-law and husband. I’d just wanted them to love me.

“Take it off.”

“And wear what? It’s too late.” The ceremony started in fifteen minutes.

“It’s not too late. Meli.” Emi turned me to face her. Her eyes searched mine, which had begun to water. “I’ve always liked Paul. I’ve always thought he and you were a good match. But after what he said to you, I have to wonder if I was wrong.”

I’d told her that Paul asked me to quit the shop, and she’d been angry on my behalf since. I’d also been complaining about Paul’s mounting frustration over the amount of time I spent at Artisant, so his request had come as no surprise to her.

“I wonder too,” I whispered.

“Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. I just want you to be happy.”

“Thank you.”

We turned to face the mirror again, and my gaze lifted over my shoulder to meet my uncle’s. Uncle Bear stood in the doorway, and by his expression, I knew he’d overheard us talking.

And just like that, I almost wish my uncle was here to see me now. He’d say something wise and encouraging to settle my nerves. “The strongest joints are those that have been taken apart and put back together. They know where they fit best,” he’d tell me like he did whenI was younger and missing my parents. He encouraged me to be strong, just as I need to be now. Stay the course, see this marriage through, and I’ll get what I want. Artisant Designs.

A knock sounds on the door to Aaron’s spare room, and my chest clenches, my thoughts going straight to Emi since she was already on my mind. But I know it isn’t her. She isn’t coming.

“It’s open,” I say.

Charlie pokes her head in. “Got a second?”

“Yes.” I’m happy to have someone with me—anyone, really. I’m overthinking, getting stuck in my head, and I need a distraction to pull me out.

Charlie closes the door behind her and smiles softly. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I smooth my clammy palms down the front of the dress I picked off the rack earlier this week. It’s a short, off-white, chiffon wrap with long balloon sleeves and a deepVneckline that ties at the waist and reaches midthigh. The bohemian cut is more to my taste than any of the previous dresses I’ve worn around Aaron, and I’m quite impressed that I picked it without Emi’s help. She’s the stylist between us two, but I managed to pair the dress with single-strap nude heels and sweep my hair into a soft updo, leaving a few tendrils to frame my face.

“I’m glad you’re here.” For Aaron’s sake. I wasn’t sure Charlie would come, not after their argument last week.

Her eyes sparkle. “I couldn’t let my big brother get married without me. I’m going to witness this thing between you two from its wacky start to fireball finish. Front row, center seat, girl.”

In its own way, today’s wedding, though intimate, will be a spectacle.

From what Aaron told me about his sister last week as I helped clean up the glass and spilled beer, Charlie is Savant’s chief marketing officer and very much aware of the pressure their parents put on them about image, reputation, legacy, and dynasty. Charlie was on the receiving end of Kaye’s machinations while dating Murphy. Aaron clarified for me that Charlie couldn’t understand why he doesn’t just quit the SavantHouse instead of going to the extreme of marrying me. He obviously isn’t happy working for the family. She thinks he’s been pandering to Kaye’s and Graham’s whims for too long. Charlie wants him to stop. For reasons Aaron refused to express, at least in my presence, he can’t quit.

Charlie comes farther into the room. “I was planning to check on you, but Aaron said you wanted to see me?”

“My best friend Emi can’t make it.”

Charlie levels her gaze on me. “Can’t or won’t?”

“Won’t.” I sigh.

“I’m sorry.”

“I wanted to ask if you’d be my maid of honor. I know you’re Aaron’s best woman, and since Murphy’s officiating, do you mind?”

Charlie crosses her arms. “Aaron told me a couple of days ago about your first marriage.”

“He did?”

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