Page 47 of The Hacker
“It’s pretty recent ... like Friday night,” Dawn admitted. “Which is why Nat shouldn’t make such a big deal about it.”
“I didn’t make a big deal of it,” Natalie said. “I just told Alice what was going on between you and her fiancé’s partner.”
“Has it been okay?” Alice’s voice was soft with concern. “I mean, despite being a computer nerd, Leland’s a tall, well-muscled guy from all that swimming he does. He hasn’t triggered any panic attacks?”
“He’s figured out that sometimes I get uncomfortable and he lets me shift positions when that happens.”
“So he doesn’t know?” Alice asked.
“We aren’t close like that.” With a pang, Dawn realized how true that was.
Alice reached across the table to touch the back of Dawn’s hand. “I’m so glad. It means you’re healing.”
“Or maybe the sex is just good enough to overcome all obstacles,” Natalie theorized.
Dawn laughed. “Maybe.” She sobered. “It’s so strange. I trust him without knowing him.”
“What do you mean?” Alice asked.
“Well, I know what’s in his bio on the KRG website. Schools, degrees, awards, stuff like that. I know he was an only child and hated his school uniform. And that’s about it.”
It was a strange kind of trust. She trusted him not to set off a panic attack but she didn’t trust him to want a relationship with her. She pulled herself up short. Therewasno relationship after a mere four days. Working so closely together on the gym’s issue just made it feel that way.
A melodious but mechanical woman’s voice interrupted them to say, “An authorized visitor is arriving on the elevator.”
“Darn!” Alice dropped her napkin on the table and stood up. “That’s the dress designer.” She pointed at Dawn. “We’ll get back to you and Leland later.”
As she hustled out of the room, Natalie looked at Dawn. “Brace yourself. There’s going to be a lot of lace and satin and tulle.”
Dawn dropped her head into her hands with a groan. “Why does Alice want me here? I know nothing about this crap.”
“Because you’re her maid of honor and her friend.”
She lifted her head. “So are you and this is more your kind of thing.”
Natalie rose from her chair with fluid grace. “She wants to share her joy with us.”
“When you put it that way ...” Dawn pushed up from the table and squared her shoulders. “Although I’m not a hundred percent sure how debating puff sleeves versus cap sleeves shows how happy she is.”
Natalie laughed as they followed Alice’s voice to the dining room. An older woman propped up poster boards with drawings attached, while a young man draped swatches of fabric over the glossy wood table.
Alice’s face glowed with pleasure, so Dawn pasted on a smile before she marched through the door.
Two hours later, the designer and her assistant had packed up their materials and departed, leaving three exhausted friends sprawled in the dining room chairs. They’d brought more champagne from the kitchen to relax after the intense decision-making.
“That is going to be one beautiful and unique gown,” Natalie said, waving at the on-the-spot sketch the designer had presented Alice with.
“You’ll look stunning in it,” Dawn agreed.
Alice threw back the last gulp of champagne in her glass. “Only because you all chimed in when my brain started to fry.” She tilted her empty glass at Dawn. “You’re going to make sure my arms look slender and shapely in those puff sleeves.”
“I love a challenge,” Dawn said with a grin.
“Ouch!” Alice held out one of her arms to examine it. “Are they that bad?”
“No, but I figure it will make you work harder,” Dawn said.
“You’re so evil,” Alice said, pouring herself more bubbly and pinning her gaze on Dawn. “Now we’re going to get back to you and Leland.”
