Page 35 of Karma
She sighs. He always says it’s okay that she can’t say it back, but she knows it’s not. How can it be?
“You’re on a different page than me, but at least we’re in the same book. I’m okay waiting for you to catch up.”
“How long will you be willing to wait for me?”
“I told you before, and I’ll tell you every day until you believe me. I don’t need you to say it back for me to love you. And there’s a lot of stuff that holds you back. I get it, Gracie. It’s okay.”
“What if I’m never ready to say it back?”
The tears threaten to fall, and she closes her eyes, willing them to disappear. With three words, her orgasmic high shatters into a million pieces.
“You will be,” he says. “Because even if you can’t say you love me, I can feel it. I know you do, and when you’re ready, you’ll say it back.”
Chapter Twelve
Griffin’s Beach
Hailey
“That’s quite the entourage, huh?” Hailey says to Lex as they park in front of the third bridal shop for the day.
Lex just sighs. “I feel like a child with all of these babysitters.”
They step inside the store, and it’s Hailey’s turn to sigh. So far, they’ve struck out when it comes to the dress of her dreams. Probably because she never thought she’d get married, so she doesn’t know what she’d like.
Ballgowns. Mermaid. Evening gown. A-line. Nothing jumps out and screamsI’m the dress!
“Have you thought about bridesmaids?” Lex asks, running her hand over a beige satin dress.
“I’m not sure,” she says. “I don’t exactly have a lot of friends, but I feel like Gracie should be in the wedding. And Luke, Noah, and Calla.”
Lex turns and tilts her head. “You don’t have to have a traditional wedding. Well, as traditional as it gets marrying a biker. If you don’t want bridesmaids, don’t have them.”
Once again, nothing stands out to Hailey, and she feels frustration brewing deep in her gut. She expected to find the dress right away. There’s nothing she’s wanted more than this, and it feels like fate should step in and just drop it in her lap.
“What kind of dress did you have when you married Colt?”
“Um, Colt and I technically got married in the hospital, so he was the one wearing the gown. But when we had the party afterwards, I had an evening gown style satin dress with spaghetti straps. I think I have a picture of it if you want to see it.”
Wrinkling her nose, she shakes her head. “I have no doubt you looked gorgeous in it, but we’re not built the same. When I tried that style on at the last shop, I felt like a cow.”
“You did not look like a cow! We’ll find you a dress, I promise.”
Her hands shake as she takes a deep breath to calm herself. “Lex, I need to ask you something.”
“Uh oh,” Lex says and turns, leaning on a discount rack. “What’s up?”
It seems silly, but it means so much to Hailey. Gavin and she talked about it the other night, and he’s of little help.Whatever you want.That’s all she gets out of him.
“I know that weddings are expensive…”
“I’m buying your dress. Don’t worry about the cost.”
Of course, you are. Because you’re amazing and generous, and I’m a brat who likes to push the envelope.
“Thanks. I kind of… assumed, but I’m happy you said it. That’s not it, though.”
“You don’t want to get married at the clubhouse, do you?”
