Page 79 of Worth the Risk

I’m kind of surprised she brought up the dress. “I’ll keep the design for you.”

“Can I look at it?”

My eyes narrow. “Is that a good idea?” I ask, doubtful.

She sighs. “It’s fine.”

It takes a second before I search on my phone for the folder with the design. I debate if I’m only fueling April’s misery, but she seems content with her request. Handing her my phone, I watch her study the screen.

“Boho chic, fitted yet comfortable, even has hidden pockets,” I list. “I went for floor length, and the elements of lace are more traditional.”

“It’s beautiful.” She sounds wistful.

“Thanks. It’s not my forte, but the inspiration was there.”

April hands me my phone and a knowing smirk forms. “I would have loved to have this dress, but you know… this is more your dress than mine.”

“What?”

April nods her head. “That’s right. You designed your own wedding dress.”

I scoff at her thought. “No, I didn’t.”

Her facial expression turns goofy. “Uhm, yes, you did. Where did you get the inspiration for traditional lace?”

“My grandmother’s dress.” The S slurs. “Oh.”

April laughs. “I remember you once told me when we were at your grandmother’s for dinner that you would want to use some of the lace from her dress on your own wedding dress one day.”

“And?”

April sets her wine glass back on the coffee table. “The dress. Your housewife skills. The boutique that caught your eye in Lake Spark for your future shop. Sounds to me like you’ve been setting all the puzzle pieces in place to make a life with someone. You did that because you found the right someone, and your heart knew it before your head.”

“That’s some theory.” But the realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and I feel emotions running through me but in a way that is pure elation. “He is kind of angry at me right now because I keep taking a step forward, then step back. He wants me at his game, and I said maybe.”

Her expression turns pained. “Yeah… probably not a smooth move on your part. He’s never had a woman at a game, and now he’s asked you. It’s a big deal because he’s laser-focused during a game.”

“Even more reason for me to be slightly scared. People will have their eyes on me because it’s unusual for Hudson.”

“It’s not about you. No offence, but as your newly reunited friend then I’m going to highlight that you’re being a fool. The only opinion you should care about is the one you and my uncle have of each other. You know that too.”

I run through my history in my head and know she has a solid point. The hesitation I have is unlike me because I’ve grown into a confident woman over the years.

“I know it’s crazy, but I love him, and even though we are newish, I feel it in my bones that we are right. Maybe I thought it was lust and it would fade, but it’s like we’ve been slowly building something profound together. It’s just happeningalready.”

“You two happened faster than some, but that’s all the more reason why you maybe didn’t realize it until now, when your extremely smart friend highlighted her brilliant ideas.” She brings her hand to her heart with pride.

A smile tugs on my lips. “I probably should get it together, huh?”

April tips her wine glass to my direction. “Yep.” She pops the P.

* * *

The next morning,I’m sitting outside and watching the sunrise with a mug of coffee in hand. I pull my knees up on the chair and one hand wraps my sweater tighter around my body.

There are exactly two things that I need to figure out before I talk to Hudson. It was during the night that I realized what those two things are. It may take a few days, but maybe the space will be good for us. We’ve been on a rollercoaster the last few months anyhow.

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