Page 60 of Sew Matcha in Love
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this appreciated, this comforted, this … loved.
It took a whole lot of willpower to let go. “What time is Penny picking you up?”
“I’m meeting her and Tasha at the salon at eleven, then we’ll grab lunch at Brewski’s. Do you need me to pick anything up while I’m out?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Have fun.” I gave her shoulder a squeeze. “See you in a few hours.”
She gathered up the books and nodded. “Bye, Zaki.”
I joined the girls and watched Barbie do her swan princess thing as they attempted to imitate the characters on the screen.When it was over, I made them lunch and took them outside to play.
We were still outside when Arwyn pulled into the driveway. The girls ran to the car to greet her.
“So pretty, Wynnie!”
“Can you do my hair like that?”
“Mine, too!”
Arwyn’s hair was elegantly gathered and secured at the back of her head in a loose bun, and ringlet curls framed her face, tumbling out from a headband of three evenly spaced pale blue satin straps. Over her right ear, three ribbon roses in shades of blue seemed to hold the straps together.
It wasn’t too different from her usual updo, but without a strand out of place, it gave a more elegant appearance, understated and refined.
Stunning.
She smiled up at me as the girls followed her into the house, asking questions about the process and planning their own future Regency tea party.
The doorbell rang, signaling the babysitter was here. The girls tugged her inside and introduced her to Arwyn. After a quick tour of the house, she took the girls upstairs to play so we could get ready.
I’d debated shaving my beard and leaving sideburns, as was the fashion of the times, but decided against it. Arwyn liked my beard, so if that meant losing a mark for not being historically accurate, I didn’t care.
The “kit” I’d ordered included everything I needed to transform into a fine Regency-era gentleman. I’d opted for the trousers instead of breeches—I hoped Arwyn didn’t mind. The starched white shirt had a stiff, high collar, and I was glad I’d ordered a size larger than I needed. I buttoned the waistcoat, watched a YouTube tutorial to arrange the cravat, and pulled onmy tailcoat, tucking a light blue handkerchief into the pocket. Lastly, white gloves. After holding Arwyn’s hand, I understood the reason for them.
Skin-to-skin touching made a personfeel things.
When I was satisfied with my appearance, I strolled down the hall to face the critics.
“Daddy!” Amelie saw me first. “You look like a prince!”
“Almost,” Isla said, frowning. “You need your King Valentine Crown.”
I laughed. “I’m afraid that’s against the gala’s dress code, girls. But I’ll happily wear it if you want to take a picture.”
“Oh, yes!” Amelie agreed. “By the fireplace. Let’s go get Wynnie! Daddy—get her flowers!” She picked up her tablet and headed for the stairs. Daisy bouquet and corsage in hand, I followed her and Isla, with Trudy, the babysitter, bringing up the rear.
Arwyn wasn’t ready yet, so the girls took turns posing me by the fireplace, with and without the crown, with and without them in it.
Then I caught a cloud of pale blue out of the corner of my eye. I twisted up from the girls to get a better look.
I didn’t hear anything. I didn’t see anything in my peripheral. I was sucked into a dream state where all I could do was watch.
Arwyn floated into the room in her fancy blue gown with that elegant updo, and the only word that came to my mind wasthief.
She stole my breath, my thoughts, my heart.
“Thief?” she asked.
Uh-oh, I hadn’t meant to say it out loud.
