Page 23 of All Dressed Up

“It’ll be okay,” she offered, touching his shoulder.

Stone-faced, he stared straight ahead. Thousands of dollars up in smoke. “F’ing Mary.”

A shiver streaked up her back. “Mary?” What did he mean? “Are you talking about Mary Reed? Did she do this?”

“I don’t know.” He turned to her. “Probably not. I can take the dresses and store them in my car.” He punched his fist in the air. “Goddamn it.”

Rachel stared at him, feeling useless. She’d react the same way if Buttermilk Blooms went up in smoke. “At least you have these.” She nodded to the dresses on the bench.

He gave a cold, hard laugh. “So much for me saving the day.”

She wasn’t following. He’d managed to get at least thirty wedding gowns out if not more. That was something. “At least you have some inventory to rebuild.”

He heaved a sigh, and his chest caved in. “Yeah, but those are this week’s new inventory. I should have saved the wedding gowns that have been bought and are ready to be worn over the next two months.”

“Oh.” What Will was admitting sunk in. That did suck.

“How am I going to tell all those summer brides who trusted my mom and me that their dresses are ruined? They don’t deserve this.”

Her heart split as she took in the stress in his face. She’d never seen overly confident Will Jenkins show so much compassion. Never. “It’ll be okay. We’ll think of something.”

Their eyes locked for a second, and she felt a little self-conscious. There wasn’t a “we.” They were Will and Rachel after all. Ex-lovers, not best friends. “Um... I mean... all of us will help. Donovan, Zoe, Adam, Bethany...”

“Thank you.” He offered an appreciative smile.

Finally. A nice moment between them that didn’t end up in him pretending to press charges or her storming out of his cottage. “I’m really glad you’re all r—” she started to say, but she was interrupted by Adam calling out, “Jenkins,” and waving him over.

“I’ll pop in tomorrow to pick up the dresses. Thanks again, Rach,” he said, stepping off the curb.

“Anytime,” she called out. Pushing open the glass door with her back, she lingered to watch Will rush across the street. His utter frustration was evident as he threw his hands in the air, pacing back and forth.

It might not be today, but eventually he’d have to break the news to all those brides that their dresses for their perfect day were ruined. Maybe she’d never be a bride, but that thought broke her heart.

She continued to watch the scene across the street. If only there was something she could do to help him.

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