Page 50 of Always a Bridesmaid
“You two are being silly,” Lexi said. Violet simply continued to grin at him.
“What?” he asked her.
“Just recalling how you’ve used my vulnerable moments against me, coercing me into deals involving puppies and such.”
“Hey now,” he said, and she laughed, having way too much fun at his expense. “Those deals were mutually beneficial.”
A whole heap of mischief shone through her features as she leaned closer. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
A pint-sized blonde in a frilly black-and-white top and sky-high heels welcomed them in a refined southern accent.
Violet quickly stepped in front of him and threw an arm out as if the woman might attack. “Don’t worry,” she whispered, casting a wink over her shoulder. “I’ve got you. I won’t let her hurt you.”
“Smartass.” He flicked Violet’s dangly silver earring, enjoying the resulting tinkling noise.
The tiny woman rattled off a stream of facts in a high-pitched voice. Lexi responded in whatever language involved silk and tulle and dress styles.
“Can I get some of that protection?” Addie whispered to his sexy bodyguard.
Violet repositioned herself to cover them both, taking them by the arms and following Lexi as she and the woman headed for the rows of dresses.
Bridal Shop Employee beamed at the three of them before taking Violet’s hand. “You must be the bride.”
One corner of Violet’s mouth twitched, her smile turning superficial. “Actually, this is our bride.” She gestured to Addie.
“Oh.” The woman eyed her jeans and War Eagle T-shirt. “That’s right. A bit of a tomboy, correct?” Without waiting for confirmation, she charged on. “So, what styles and fabrics are you thinking? Tulle? Silk? Organza?”
“Yes?”
“It’s fine if you’re not sure. We occasionally get a bride like you.”
While she presumably didn’t mean it that way, thelike youdid come out sounding a pinch condescending. And the way Addie’s face fell made it clear she’d taken it as an insult.
Ford nudged her with his elbow. “You know what dress you should get, Murph? That one from the Guns N’ Roses ‘November Rain’ video. All super short in the front.”
Addie rolled her eyes. “You guys watched that video way,waytoo many times during our classic rock phase.”
“I’m lost,” Violet said, and Ford pulled out his phone. He found the image, and she made a sour face. “I guess I see the appeal to dudes—you can see her garter and…and.”
Ford waggled his eyebrows. “Ah yeah.”
Addie’s dark ponytail swung as she shook her head, but her cheery demeanor had returned, so mission accomplished. “That short skirt’s a hell no from me. And before you ask, that’s not going to be our song. The end of that video is devastating, not romantic.”
“Is there anything more romantic than a relationship that never got ruined by all the shit life throws at you?”
The raised eyebrow from Lexi conveyed this wasn’t a swearing type of a joint. Which solidified he didn’t belong in a place like this. Then she began searching through the sea of cream and white, thezingof sliding hangers filling the air.
Addie lifted the dress nearest her. “I like this. Simple yet elegant.”
Violet moved closer and flinched—clearly she didn’t have a poker face, so playing with her would be highly entertaining. “Um, that’s a slip. It goes underneath the gowns.”
“Oh,” Addie said. Her breaths came faster and faster, and was she… Oh boy, those were tears. Ford had never seen her cry before, and a vise clamped onto his lungs, twisting tighter and tighter. At least he had plenty of experience calming panic attacks.
Typically, he wouldn’t be scared that a person’s reaction might be to punch him, but he’d take a hit from Murph if it made her feel better. “Hey. It’s no big deal.”
No move to swing, so he added a back rub to the mix. “This wedding thing’s new to me, too. Let’s take some deep breaths. In…” He sucked in a lungful with her. “Out.”
They blew out uniform breaths.
