We all started talking at once, crying a little, hugging. The consultant brought more champagne. Everyone was taking photos, and I captured all of it. The joy, the love, the sense of family that filled the room.
This was what I’d been missing my whole life. This sense of belonging. Of being part of something bigger than yourself.
While Delaney changed back into her regular clothes, the consultant finalized her order and we made our way to a nearby diner for lunch.
“Okay,” Blake said, settling into a chair and fixing me with a direct look. “Now that we’ve found the dress, we need to talk.”
My stomach dropped. “About what?”
“About you and Dex.”
I looked at each of them. These women who’d been nothing but kind to me, who’d welcomed me into their lives without hesitation.
“There’s not much to tell. We went on a date. It was nice. That’s all.”
“Leigh.” Billie’s voice was gentle but firm. “We’re not trying to make you uncomfortable. But we care about both of you. And there’s clearly more than just ‘nice’ happening.”
I took a long drink of water to try and buy myself some thinking time. “Okay. Fine. It was more than nice. It was... really good. Like, really, really good.”
“And?” Blake prompted.
“And we agreed to see where this goes. Just for the summer. When August comes, I go back to Blue Point Bay and we both move on with our lives. No drama, no complications.”
Reece looked at me with those quiet, knowing eyes. “Do you really think it’s going to be that simple?”
“It has to be. My business is in Blue Point Bay. My whole life is there. And Dex’s life is here. This is temporary. We both know that.”
“But feelings…” Delaney started.
“Aren’t part of the equation,” I said firmly. “We’re adults. We can have fun together without it becoming some big thing.”
Even as I said it, I knew it wouldn’t be that simple.
The four of them exchanged looks that clearly said they didn’t believe me.
“What?” I asked defensively.
“Nothing,” Blake said, but she was smiling. “Just... good luck with that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” Delaney said gently, “that the heart doesn’t always listen to logic. What you plan and what actually happens are often very different things.”
“I can handle it.”
“We know you can,” Reece said. “We just want you to be prepared for it to be harder than you think.”
“And we want you to know,” Billie added, “that whatever happens, we’re here for you. Both of you.”
Something in my chest tightened. “Thank you. That means... thank you.”
“One more thing,” Blake leaned forward. “The brothers are going to figure this out eventually. They’re not stupid.”
“I know. We’re just... we want to enjoy this without the pressure of everyone watching. Without having to explain or justify or deal with their opinions.”
“That’s fair,” Delaney said. “But when the time comes to tell them, you should know… they’re going to be okay with it. They want both of you to be happy.”
“You think so?”
