Page 61 of Honeymoon Phase
Roe nods woodenly and rests her cheek on her knees, looking at me through watery eyes. “I like it here, Luke,” she says, pinning me with a sobering look. “I like being with you and I need us to be good and not worry about this falling apart, okay?”
I frown and stare back at her, guilt settling in my gut over the magnitude of her request. It’s a simple request a friend should be able to make to a friend.
It’s much more complicated when one of the friends is in love with the other. But ultimately, I’d do anything for this girl.
I half smile, reaching out to touch the curved nail wrapped around her finger. “For better or worse, Addison Monroe... I got you.”
Chapter 20
Fact or Fiction?
Fireball makes fast friends.
Addison
“Her wedding date is when?” The bridal attendant gapes at Jo, who tells the woman our December date for the second time.
“We can’t get in dresses in less than six weeks.”
“Then we’ll just have to buy something off the rack,” Jo responds cheerily. Definitely not ready to call this powerhouse “Mom,” but “Jo” suits her nicely to me.
The attendant eyes me up and down. “We may not have her size.”
“Ahem,” Cozy barks loudly, stepping up to the tiny bridal attendant and eyeing her with the fire of a thousand suns. “Why don’t you and I go for a little walk?”
The attendant looks confused as Cozy escorts her away from us, and Dakota and Trista exchange a knowing look before clinking their complimentary champagne flutes together.
“This is fun,” Dakota says with a smile, crossing her legs and bouncing her foot excitedly.
“I haven’t even tried anything on yet,” I state, feeling like a total fish out of water.
She shrugs. “It’s already fun.”
I frown at that because it seems so easy and natural for these ladies to be pampered in this plush bridal store. I never even went to my high school prom. I just went to the parties afterward. The awkwardness of asking my dad for money fora dress that he’d have to see me in... I shuddered at the thought.
As an adult, I’ve learned how to shop, but I get almost everything online just to avoid the uncomfortable dressing room moments.
Like this moment right here.
Who knows what Cozy is talking to that woman about right now. I take a deep breath in and lower myself onto the open furry white armchair next to Trista. The only way I’m going to survive this is by leaning on the women around me, even if it kills me to do so. “Trista, where did you buy your wedding dress? You looked so beautiful in Mexico.”
“Oh, they definitely had to order my size in.” She giggles and takes a sip. “These types of places don’t carry sample sizes that would fit me.”
“Should I be worried?” I ask, biting my lip. “My proportions are odd. I’m all hips and flat chested and my shoulders are super broad. I should have been a linebacker, I swear.”
“Those shoulders are going to look beautiful in whatever you pick out.” Jo sits down on the armrest of my chair, hitting me with her wide, hopeful eyes. “Luke says you want an outdoor service?”
“Yeah, is that crazy?” I ask, glancing at Dakota and Trista and then back to Johanna. “I don’t want to be difficult.”
“Not at all,” Jo peals back. “It’s your special day. You should get exactly what you want. I am already looking at these gorgeous outdoor tents with heaters for a small reception.”
“I heard Wyatt talking to Luke this morning about using our house as backup if there’s a storm,” Trista says, turning my attention to her. “We’re totally good with it. I’ll put my breast pump parts away and everything.”
“Oh, thank you so much,” I reply gratefully, amazed at how this is all coming together. Some snow has already fallen thepast week up on the peak, dusting everything in a sparkly white blanket. It’s not enough to completely cover the ground, but by the wedding, I expect it will be a white wonderland.
“Fletcher Mountain in December is beautiful,” Trista says as if reading my thoughts. “It’s like existing on a cloud. Last year was the best Christmas of my whole life up there.”
“You were also drunk on newborn baby and a brand-new rock on your finger.” Dakota laughs knowingly.
