Page 40 of Faking I Do
I thought about my own childhood pets: the coonhound who had a horrible sense of smell, the barn cat who was afraid of flies, and the various other small critters I’d kept. “You’re right. They don’t always live as long as we’d like. But when they’re around, it’s worth it, isn’t it?”
She stood. “I don’t know. Sometimes I think it’s better not to even put forth the effort if I’m only going to have my heart broken in the end.”
The harsh fluorescent overhead light cast half her face in shadow. “Lacey . . .”
“I’m going to wait outside.”
I made a move to stand, wanting nothing more than to hug her tight until all of her fear seeped out of her. That wasn’t a way to live—constantly fearing the loss of someone you loved.
“Can I just have a few minutes by myself?”
“Sure.” I sat back down, watching her disappear through the sliding glass doors, wishing I could do something to ease her heartache, and wondering how I’d manage my own if I suddenly found myself to blame for causing Lacey any pain.
CHAPTER 20
LACEY
I grabbedthe hanger and pulled another dress out of my closet. I’d been trying to pack for the last hour but couldn’t find a single thing that screamed reluctant wedding dress shopper. It was pointless. Adeline wouldn’t care what I had on as long as it wasn’t flashier, prettier, or sexier than what the bride-to-be would be wearing. She’d said as much in the text she’d sent.
Even though nothing would make me happier than to call the whole thing off, I had to see the weekend through. After the fiasco with Shotgun the other night, I’d been tempted to cancel. But then Bodie called and said the dog would be fine. Thank goodness. I’d all but forgotten what it was like to put my heart on the line. Almost having it crushed was a good reminder. I’d keep mine right where it belonged—safe and sound tucked behind my uncompromising set of rules. Rule number one: don’t risk your heart.
I envied Bodie sometimes. He’d never lost anyone or anything close to him. Lucky for him he’d never had to go through the gut-wrenching heartbreak that followed. Although, if his suspicions were right and his dad and grandfather were involved in some unsavory business practices, he might have tobe the one to bring them down. That would put a serious damper on family get-togethers. What would that do to him?
Shrugging the dress on over my head, I thought about the way Bodie had pulled me close. The way I burrowed into his chest. The way I’d felt protected, safe, secure in his arms. He’d always made me feel that way. When my mom died, it wasn’t my dad who comforted me. It wasn’t my brother, either. It was Bodie. I shivered as I remembered. With both me and Bodie being back in town, memories were bound to surface. I’d just have to find a way to hold them at bay. Wouldn’t do any good to get attached.
I turned to face myself in the mirror. Adeline had said to bring my favorite LBD. I had to Google the term to see what it meant. At least I had one, even if it probably didn’t bend to the convention of current fashion styles. It was a little low across the bust and hugged my ass a tad too tightly. But there was no way I’d head to Dallas without the required LBD, so it would have to do.
By the time I’d changed back into my jeans, stuffed my makeup in a case, and zipped up my bag, someone knocked on the front door.
“I’ll get it, Dad.” I didn’t want Adeline getting an eyeful of my dad serving his house arrest. Rumors were already bad enough without adding Adeline’s brand of fuel onto the fire.
A man in a dark suit stood at the door. “Lacey Cherish?”
“Yes.” I peered past him to see the stretch limo parked at the curb.
Adeline popped up through the sunroof, a tiara on her head, waving a bottle of champagne. “The girls surprised me with a bachelorette weekend. We’ll shop for dresses by day and party at night! Isn’t that perfect?”
Perfect? A perfect disaster. I had been dreading the shopping enough. But now I’d be expected to paste on a smile whileAdeline waded through miles of tulle and lace and also hold it together for two nights of hard-core partying? My temples pulsed with the promise of an oncoming headache.
“Can I take your bag, ma’am?” The driver reached for my suitcase.
Ma’am? Did he just call me ma’am? “Sure, go ahead.”
He reached behind me and grabbed my overnight bag.
“I’ll be back on Sunday,” I called into the house. No telling where my dad was, but I was grateful he wasn’t there to witness my departure.
As I walked toward the limo, music began to pour through the open windows. The bass thumped so loud I could feel it in my chest. The driver opened the door and I climbed in. I squat-walked to the front since every other seat had been claimed.
Adeline ducked back through the window and grabbed me in an awkward hug. “I’m so glad you could come. We’re going to have a blast.”
I nodded, smiling at the other women as I untangled myself from Adeline’s grasp. I hadn’t quite gotten used to the idea of us trying to be actual friends.
“Everyone, this is Lacey. And Lacey, this is everyone.” Adeline swept her arm wide, knocking over the bottle of champagne she’d set down on the floor. “Ooops.”
Great, just great. If the rocky start was any indication of how the weekend might go, I was screwed. I didn’t have time or patience to babysit a bunch of bachelorettes in the big city. While Adeline’s gal pals cleaned up the spill, the driver pulled away from the curb. One of the other women handed me a glass of bubbly, and I accepted. Why not join in the festivities? It was already—I checked my watch—nine thirty in the morning. Had to be after five o’clock somewhere. Wherever it was, I wished with all my might I’d be magically transported there. Far away from bridezilla and her minions.
No such luck. The drive to Dallas passed by in a hazy blend of loud music, popping champagne corks, and drinking games. By the time we stopped in front of the first bridal shop on the itinerary, I was so ready to stretch my legs I bounded past the other women to be the first one out of the limo.
