Page 72 of All Dressed Up

“Um, nothing...” He asked the next question feigning indifference. “Did she know you were on a date with me?”

Amber thought for a second. “Yes. She asked me right before I left who I was meeting. I told her it was you.” She placed both her hands on her cheeks. “Oh, Will, I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about.” He winked. “It was a great date.” Exiting the room, his thoughts were swirling. If Rachel knew he wasn’t home and on a date, she must have gone to his house to break in.

The question was why?

“So, what does your dress look like?” He stepped over to the closest gown rack and sifted through it.

“It’s long and has a really pronounced bow on the back. It’s mermaid style.”

“I know the one.” Rachel had been looking at it last week. He pulled it out.

“That’s it.” Amber came over, taking it from him and going over to the mirror.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s the dress of my dreams,” she said. Her gaze met his in the mirror. “I don’t know who put it in there, but I just love it.” A short laugh escaped her lips. “Although, I’ve never actually tried it on. I may feel entirely differently once I’m in it.”

“Well, there’s one way to find out?” He nodded toward the other room. “Go on and try it on.”

“Really? I’m not even getting married.”

“Yet. There are a lot of single guys in Buttermilk Falls.” He laughed. “And surrounding areas. Go on.”

She smiled widely and hoisted up the dress, disappearing into the other room.

Well, how about that?He walked over and shut the door to give her privacy.She was going to look stunning in that dress. He liked Amber. Maybe he could see if any of the guys down at the fire station were single to set her up with if she was interested.

He moved over to the window, peering down onto the street. How much longer was it going to be before he could talk to Rachel?

What would he say when he finally opened his mouth? One thing was for sure, he’d start out slow. Tell her how beautiful she looked in her pink sundress and how much he’d enjoyed her cooking the other night. Maybe he’d ask her if she wanted to go on a proper date with him.

Did dudes even say the word “proper”?

He’d take her somewhere nice. Maybe the new Italian restaurant that just opened up five miles from here.

“So, what do you think?”

He turned to see Amber walking through the door.Whoa.

Stunning wasn’t an exaggeration. The dress hugged Amber’s hourglass figure, her long black hair flowing down past her dark, bare shoulders. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She smoothed her hands down the fabric. “There’s something wrong.”

He was pretty sure there wasn’t. This dress was made for her. Alterations—when the time came—were going to be a breeze. “What is it?”

“I’m not sure how on earth I’ll dance in this dress, and I plan on strutting my stuff across a dance floor until my husband drags me off.” She tried and teetered, grabbing the wall for balance.

He laughed, moving over to her. “I’ve got this. When you’re ready to dance, your bridesmaids will hook your train here.” He bent down and hooked the material. He had this move down, having done it during numerous fittings. “There. All set.”

“Are you sure I’ll be able to dance? I don’t want to face-plant.” She glanced over her shoulder, concern stretching from one eyebrow to the other.

He offered his hand. “Only one way to find out.”

*

“Bethany Wilson’s parents own the Christmas Corner next to Buttermilk Blooms. They’re not originally from here but moved to town when she was thirteen. Bethany started a photography studio a few months ago on the other side of the fire station,” Rachel explained as they walked around the town’s fire truck protruding out of the station. “She should be there now.”

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