Page 65 of Dreaming About Forever

Caroline’s laughter died, and she clasped Alicia’s hand. “Hey, let me get out of this dress, and we can meet Mom and Nora at the next store. Hang tight.”

“We don’t have to rush. I’m fine.”

Caroline disappeared around the corner, and Alicia risked a glance back at Jordan. He was back in his post by the exit, and his attention was focused on her.

Maybe she didn’t love him. It would be so much easier to leave if she didn’t.

She glanced at him again and thought about being away from him. Nope. The ripping pain in her chest said she couldn’t walk away from him in a few weeks. She couldn’t imagine her life without him.

It was love–something she’d never felt for a man before. She’d wondered how it would feel, but no one had prepared her for the bittersweet moment when she realized the one man she couldn’t have was the only one she wanted.

Caroline zipped out of the dressing room with the violet gown hanging over her arm. “I just need to pay for this one, and we’ll be on our way.”

Alicia hung out by Jordan while Caroline checked out, then the three of them walked to a shop on the next corner. Jordan’s mom and Nora were in the back with their arms filled with dresses.

Weaving her way through the store, Alicia stopped to look at a few things. She was much more interested in the options here, and she grabbed three before heading to the dressing room.

The first one was a definite no. The second one was a red sequined cocktail dress with a low-cut neckline that had short drapes of fabric hanging from it.

She stepped out of the stall to find Caroline standing at the end of the hallway.

Caroline’s brows raised, and her mouth opened wide. “Oh, that’s gorgeous. It looks great on you!”

Alicia smoothed her hands over the frills on the front. “Do you think it’s a little busy in the front?”

“It definitely draws the eye there. If you don’t want people looking at your chest all night, it might be best to look for something else.”

Alicia chuckled. “You said it. I’ll try again.”

The last dress was a blush color a few shades lighter than her skin tone that hugged her tight at the top and flowed out after cinching at her waist. There was a sheer sash that draped over the front, covering any cleavage while still keeping the form-fitting look of the dress.

It was her favorite. Her dark hair contrasted with the light color, and she turned a few times in front of the mirror before stepping out of the stall.

Caroline was in the same spot as before, and she looked up from her phone when she heard Alicia’s door open. Caroline’s eyes widened, and she bit her lips between her teeth. She gave a very animated nod before chanting, “Yes, yes, yes, yes!”

A lightness bubbled in Alicia’s chest. This was the dress she wanted to wear to the barn dance, but she needed to check one last thing.

“Can you ask Jordan to come back here?”

Caroline jumped to her feet. “On it!”

Alicia checked the dress in the mirror again. She’d made up her mind, but it would be a bonus if Jordan liked it too.

His shadow slipped into the dressing room hallway. “Alicia?”

“You can come in. No one else is in here.”

Jordan stepped into view, and the neutral expression on his face shifted the moment he caught sight of her. His eyes widened, and he jerked to a stop.

“Wow,” he whispered.

She couldn’t contain the smile pulling on her cheeks. It was the reaction she’d hoped for, and there was a deep tug in her middle, reaching for the man frozen in the doorway.

“You like it?” she asked, swishing the skirt from side to side.

“Love it. Love–” He stopped short, jerking his attention from the dress to her face. His hands fisted and flexed at his sides before he straightened. “You’re beautiful.”

His last compliment was tempered, guarded.

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