Page 48 of Mr. Scandalous

“Really?” Randy looked hopeful. “You honestly think so?”

“You guys will work this out. Count on it. Just give her breathing room.”

“Thanks.” Randy managed a small smile. “You’re probably right.”

Alec forced a smile of his own. For his best friend’s sake, he prayed it was true.

* * *

The wind chimesover the door tinkled and Eden glanced up to see Jill Fincher standing at the threshold of Wickedly Wonderful. Her eyes widened as she gazed around the room, taking it all in.

“Hello, Jill.” Eden put down the staple gun she’d been wielding, creating a new basket she’d dubbed the Thrill of the Chase. She was surprised to see the bride-to-be in her store.

“Hi,” Jill said shyly.

“Come on in.” Eden moved from around the counter to motioned Jill on into the store.

“Is this a bad time?” Jill gnawed her bottom lip and gestured at the door with a hand. “Because if this is a bad time, I can come back later.”

“Nonsense. I’m at your disposal. What can I do for you?”

Jill took a deep breath and eyed a large vibrator on display at a chin-level shelf. “Um...er... this is sort of difficult.”

“Whatever you tell me will go no further,” Eden promised.

Jill blew out her held breath. “I’d like you to teach me how to be sexy.”

“What?”

Jill looked so earnest that Eden almost broke out laughing.

“Please. I really, really need your help. One look at the basket you created for m-my honeymoon...” Jill hiccuped and then burst into tears.

Eden rushed over. “What is it? What’s wrong? Did you totally hate the basket?”

“No!” Jill wailed. “That’s the problem. Ilovedit.”

“So why are you crying? I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Eden, it was uncanny how you captured the essence of my relationship with Randy, and you don’t even know me. And then when that tea leaf reader at the shower said something was missing in my life...” She broke off again, overcome with emotion.

“Come.” Eden took Jill’s hand and guided her to the back of the store. She pulled out a chair from the table. “Have a seat.”

Jill sat at the worktable covered in scraps of material—satin, lace, feathers, silk—along with two glue guns, Gorilla tape, and a stapler.

Eden went to the fridge she kept stocked with beverages and took out two bottles of iced tea. She passed it to the tearful woman and kept one for herself.

“Have something cold to drink, calm down and then you can explain what this is all about.”

“Thank you.”

Nodding, Jill sipped her drink for a few minutes while Eden sat opposite her. She was flattered that Jill had come seeking advice, but she had no idea what had upset her so.

“I postponed the wedding,” Jill said.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s drastic.”

“I told Randy I needed time to think.”

---