“Then be happy. He’s not going to let anything happen to you, and he’s not going anywhere.” She smiles. “Except maybe now he’ll live in your house and not in our parents back yard.”
We both laugh.
“I have coffee group once a week with a group of women I think you’d love. Please let me take you one day.”
“I’d like that.”
She grins. “I’ll text Meredith. I went to school with her. They’re all locals. You might have even been at school with one or two of them.”
My heart swells.
“Now, let’s get out of here. I’d kill for a coffee about now.”
I turn for her to help me with the zip. “You really think this is the dress?”
“You look amazing. Let’s grab this, go and get lunch, and then I think a jewellery hunt is in order.”
I smile the whole way back into the changing room. When the dress is slipped off, I hold the soft fabric in my hands and sigh. This wedding might be hurried, but it’s light years from my first one.
Me, pregnant and in jeans and a blouse at a registry office.
A groom I didn’t love who was twenty-six years older than teenage me.
This time I marry a man I love—the father of one of my children, and I’m happy about it. No one’s forcing me into something I don’t want to do.
I just hope he does stick around.
The warm sun streams through the kitchen window bathing Caleb in light.
He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.
For a moment, I just stand in the doorway and watch him as he gazes out the window. It’s been a long time since he was that tall, gangly teenager I fell in love with. But the man he’s become is so much more.
I clear my throat.
He turns and his smile makes me smile.
“Hey. You’re back. Chloe with you?”
I shake my head. “She just dropped me off.”
“What did you do today? Chloe said you were going shopping.”
I nod. “I found a dress.”
Caleb’s eyebrows rise. “A wedding dress?”
“Chloe took me to the most amazing dress shop. It took a while, but I found something perfect.”
He slips his arms around my waist. “Do I get a preview?”
“It’s bad luck before the day.”
Caleb kisses me softly. “I can’t wait.”
“It won’t be long.” I sigh. “I’m so glad you two talked me into having a proper wedding.”
He chuckles. “Me too.”
