Page 18 of Hope Between Us (Shattered Cove 8)

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BRYNN

Brynn’s eyes fell over the room. Pastel pink walls with shimmery champagne accents housed rows and rows of white wedding gowns. Off to the side were other formal dresses in every color she could imagine. She was as out of place, especially so when a glass of champagne was thrust into her hand upon entering by the store owner.

Brynn had never drunk alcohol, and she certainly wasn’t going to start now. She’d probably spill it all over one of the very expensive dresses.

“Oh, Mom, look at this one.” Danielle gripped the tulle fabric excitedly. The dress was something out of a dream, lace three-quarter-length sleeves and topped with a solid piece of shimmering fabric beginning above the breast of the manikin. A strip of white ribbon cinched the waist before the dress puffed out with a yard of tulle like a real-life princess gown.

“Oh, it’s lovely,” Charli said. She was one of the owners of The Shipwreck bar who Brynn had met at the sexual assault meetings the bartender used to attend. They’d grown almost as close as her and Pippa.

“Definitely.” Pippa lifted it off the rail. “You should try it on.”

“Shall I add it to the dressing room?” the boutique owner, Sybil, a beautiful Black woman, asked.

Brynn lifted the price tag and gasped. Three thousand dollars? I can’t afford this store.

“Didn’t you mention you had a sale going to the future Mrs. Ridley?” Charli’s eyebrows rose as she turned to the owner.

I must have said that out loud.

“Oh, Mrs. Ridley?” Sybil asked, as if confirming something.

“Soon to be,” Brynn answered for her.

Sybil smiled and nodded excitedly. “Oh yes. Everything in the store is on sale. Eighty—”

Charli cast her a look.

“I mean, ninety percent off,” Sybil finished.

Brynn crossed her arms over her chest. “But there are no signs.” She turned in a circle. “And that’s one heck of a deal.” There was no way that was true. Something suspicious was going on.

“How cool is that, Mom?” Dani beamed.

“Very,” she replied. It did seem very odd, but she may as well take advantage of the discount.

“Now, I have just the gowns for you, young lady. What color were you thinking?” Sybil asked Danielle.

Her daughter’s eyes glittered with happiness at being called young lady no doubt. “Pink.”

Sybil held out her hand for Dani’s. “I’ll take you to the endless options.”

“What kind of style are you looking for?” Pippa led Lady to a rack of silk gowns. The dog obediently sat while her owner began rifling through the dresses, always at her side in case she had a seizure.

“Something simple,” Brynn answered.

“But elegant,” Charli suggested.

“Oh, how about this one?” Pippa held up a strapless plain silk dress with a bow in the front, but it would only reach to her knees.

Brynn shook her head.

“That’s too plain,” Charli agreed. She pulled out a spaghetti-strapped chiffon dress. “How about this?”

“I think I’d feel too self-conscious showing all that skin.” Brynn turned back to the dress on the manikin. “I like this style. Maybe something like this.”

Sybil returned. “How is it coming along, ladies?”

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