Page 71 of All Dressed Up

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Will finished giving Amber a tour of the space. When he’d run into her downstairs ten minutes ago, he wasn’t about to make some excuse to get rid of her.

He wasn’t that guy.

Instead, he escorted her up. “So, here it is.”

“It’s super cute.” Amber took in the room. “It’s like the dream closet every woman wants. I love the fairy lights around the full-length mirror.”

Amused, he chuckled. It was true. With the dresses, frilly accessories, and twinkling lights, the satellite office was just as girly as his mom’s boutique, but with the hardwood floors, it had more of a country-chic vibe. “All of this is Rachel’s doing. This space definitely has her touch.” After a few silent beats, he tacked on a, “How’ve you been?”

His guest didn’t say a word. Man, he was such a heel for not calling her. Men shouldn’t do that. Period. “Listen, Amber. I’m really sorry I haven’t cal—”

She put her hand up, cutting him off. “You don’t have to apologize. I know why.”

“You do?” No one knew about him and Rachel beyond Donovan and Zoe, and oh yeah, maybe Bethany.

“I’d have to be blind not to see the obvious chemistry between you two at the Buttermilk Tavern. Rachel’s a lucky woman.”

His mouth flew open for a second. He didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to lead you on, and I really thought I was over her.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Guess, I’m not.”

“Does she know how you feel?” Amber asked.

“Yeah...” He shrugged. That wasn’t really true. “Not sure. It’s complicated.”

“Well, I hope it works out for you both.”

“Thank you,” he said, appreciating her understanding. She was a great gal, and he suspected she wouldn’t be single for too long if she didn’t want to be. “Hey, come see the rest of the place.” He led her to the next room. “So, this is where our brides find their perfect dress.” He didn’t elaborate on that subject.

Amber stepped in, her eyes going wide, and she pointed straight at the antique chest. “Where did you get that?”

“Um... it’s from the Lakeside Inn. Brandon and Abby loaned it to me.” Her surprise had him curious. “Have you seen this before?”

She nodded, rushing over to the trunk. “Not only have I seen it, I’veopenedit.”

“You’re kidding?” He came up beside her. He didn’t really have to ask but did anyway. “Did you find something inside?”

“Only the most beautiful wedding dress. I found it in there the night of our first date.” She touched his arm. “Don’t worry. I realized quickly I wouldn’t be wearing it for you.”

“I’m sorry.” He wasn’t, but it felt like the right thing to say. “I mean...”

“I’m sure Rachel will make a beautiful bride one day.”

He grinned at that glorious image of Rachel walking down an aisle toward him. First, he needed to talk to her... and maybe stop sleeping with her and start courting her... build up to a proposal.

“My dress is here. At least I think it still is. It’s why I stopped by.”

“Really?” That got his attention.

“Yeah, Rachel was with me that night. She took the dress.”

Wait. Rewind. Was he hearing Amber correctly? “The night of our first date? Rachel was with you?” Those two questions came with a heavy dose of curiosity.

Amber nodded. “She and her friend, Bethany, came up to me at the tiki bar and asked if I wanted to open the trunk. She said I could pick it up at her shop.”

So, Rachel had spent some time with Amber that night—as in the night she also broke in to his cottage. “Interesting,” he said out loud.

“What’s interesting?” Amber asked.

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