Page 351 of The First Time

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The dress is too tight. It's making it hard to breathe.

I reach for the zipper but Natalie stops me.

She motions to Ashleigh. "Can you help Miss Wilder change? I'll show—what's your name dear?" She offers her hand to Lizzy.

"Lizzy." My sister shakes hands with Natalie.

"Let's look at bridesmaid dresses, huh?"

"Okay. Unless you have that under control too, Kat."

I shoot Lizzy a death glare.

She knows how hard this is for me.

Why is she pushing me?

I move into the stall, but I can't get out of the dress. I knock. "A little help?"

Ashleigh joins me. She pulls the zipper down. "You really look beautiful."

"Thanks."

"Is there anything you want to talk about?" She lowers her voice to a whisper. "I've known Mr. Sterling a long time. He's… exacting."

"No, it's nothing. I'm just… This is moving really fast."

She nods. "He's a good man."

"He is."

"And he does care about you."

I step out of the dress. "What do you mean?"

"Your deal. He… I'm sorry. I thought you knew I knew." Her eyes soften. "Don't tell him I said anything."

"I won't."

"I've worked with him a long time. He's always been difficult." She grabs another dress. "But I've never seen him this demanding. He wants to make you happy. It's just… in his way."

She's right. I see the same thing.

But I'm not sure his way will ever make me happy. "I wish he wanted to make me happy in my way."

"If only men were that simple."

I nod. "Are they always this complicated?"

"I'm sure you know Mr. Sterling better than I do."

"Maybe."

She nods. "He is different when he talks about you." She zips the dress. "He really does care for you, Kat. Maybe it's not enough. But it's more than I've ever seen."

"You mean with other women?"

"He has me arrange some of his dates and weekends away. Not that he dates, exactly. It's more like—"

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