Page 122 of Before We Break

I roll my lips together to stifle a laugh. “Lex, honey. You’re not even showing yet. I can assure you, nobody will know. It’s possible you’re a little bloated, but sometimes clothes are just made small.”

“This was my favorite one,” she murmurs, wiping away her tears.

“Then we’ll get you a bigger size.”

I help her stand and take off the dress, then peek out the curtain and call for Callie. “Can you get this one in a size eighteen instead?”

She takes the dress from my outstretched hand. “Of course. Is she ok?”

“She will be.”

Callie disappears into the showroom, returning a few minutes later with the dress in hand. Lexi steps into the shimmering lavender tulle, adjusting the straps over her shoulders. When the zipper slides closed without issue, I breathe a quiet sigh of relief.

I step back and take in the full view, emotion clogging my throat.

“Is it bad?” she asks, misinterpreting my expression.

“No, Lex. It’s perfect.”

We step out of the room for what I’m certain will be the final time. Olivia gasps, and Callie’s eyes turn misty.

Lexi steps onto the pedestal, her smile lighting up the entire room. She spins, and the tiered skirt swirls around her in a cascade of lavender tulle. She looks like a princess.

“Where’s Auntie Lina?” she asks.

Olivia and Callie exchange a curious look before Callie says, “She’ll be right back.”

“So, we’re all on the same page. It’s the obvious choice, right?” Olivia asks.

Lexi nods excitedly.

Callie dabs at her eyes with a tissue. “You look stunning.”

“Thank you.”

A gasp draws my attention to Angelina, who’s standing behind the settee with what appears to be a wedding gown draped over her arm. “It’s perfect. Hayden’s not going to know what hit him.”

Lexi giggles and hops down off the pedestal.

“Is this it?” I ask her.

She smooths her hands down the fabric. “I think so.”

“Good. Go get changed, and I’ll have them wrap it up for us.”

Lexi disappears behind the curtain, and I return my attention to Angelina.

“What’s with the wedding dress?” I ask. “Getting married for a third time?”

She gets a wistful look in her eyes. “No, nothing could ever top the last one. This is for you.”

“Me? Why do I need a wedding dress?”

“When in Rome…” She practically shoves me into a dressing room with the gown and pulls the curtains closed, standing on the inside with me.

“Seriously?”

“I’m not letting you out until you put the dress on. You wouldn’t fight a pregnant woman, would you?”