Page 79 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

Chapter Twenty-Three

PIPER

Have A Little Fun

I’d discovered a new form of torture – trying on a bridesmaid’s dress in ninety-degree heat.

It wasn’t Ms Darcy’s fault that the air conditioning was out at Brides and Blooms right off the square, but it made sliding taffeta and lace over my skin a scratchy nightmare.

‘Turn around one more time,’ Tessa said, spinning her finger in a circle like I needed instructions.

Taking small steps in the ridiculously high heels they made me wear, I moved around the elevated circular platform. Torran, Tessa and Maisey sat in old wooden chairs against a bright pink wall that was covered in framed photos of recent Ivy Falls brides. While Maisey and Tessa tried desperately to fan themselves, Torran’s attention stayed on her phone.

Tessa tapped at her chin. ‘I told Tor sapphire blue was a good choice. What do you think, Maisey?’

When she’d stopped by the P&P earlier, I’d begged Maisey to come to this appointment. I trusted her fashion sense, and knew she’d tell me if I looked like a bright blue popsicle in the dress Torran had picked out months ago.

As I spun another time in front of the mirror, Ford filled my head.

Did he like blue?

He seemed to like the cobalt-colored thong he tore off with his teeth last night.

We’d gotten into a routine lately. Work. Rehearsals. Dinner. Well, a few bites before we ended up in bed together. It was strange how quickly we melted into one another’s lives, but every time he pulled me close, pressed a kiss to my forehead, I had to remind myself that it was temporary. That in a few short weeks he’d be on a plane to Africa. That it was the deal we’d agreed to that night on the rooftop.

Maisey let out a low whistle. ‘Hot damn, Pipe. That is some dress! The cut does wonders for your shoulders, and a good push-up bra will really show off your tits!’

‘Maisey!’ Tessa laughed. ‘You are too much.’

‘You always gotta pump up your bestie.’

She gave me a quick wink, which made the knots in my stomach loosen. This was why I’d invited her. The wedding was making everyone too damn tense. We needed a little comic relief, and Maise never disappointed in that department.

‘Tor? Thoughts?’ Tessa nudged her sister’s knee.

‘Yes. It’s good,’ she mumbled, still staring at her phone.

‘What is so important that you can’t pay attention to this?’ Tessa asked.

‘I have a lot going on at work. Teddy Ray, that restaurant client of Beck’s, keeps pestering us about that damn property he wants, but it’s tied up in probate. It’s a mess.’ She gulped uncomfortably.

Tessa nudged her knee again. Tried to get her to focus on my dress, but it was clear Torran’s mind was in another place.

Ms Darcy returned to the room with a cherry-red pincushion strapped to her arm. She bent down in front of me, surveying the hem. ‘It’s only a minor alteration. It’ll be done in time for the wedding.’ She shot a look to Torran like she expected a response, but Tor kept her nose buried in her phone. Once she was done fixing my dress, Ms Darcy said, ‘You’re next, bride-to-be.’

Torran tried to give the kind middle-aged woman a smile but it didn’t quite reach her lips.

Things were settled with Hearth and Home. The old Thomas Place was on the market. Besides the restaurant account, what else was distracting her? Was it Beck? Were there other issues about the wedding? I didn’t live with them anymore so I had no idea what could be making her so damn distracted.

Tessa snatched the phone out of her hand but not before Torran made the screen black.

‘Go try on your dress. I’ll hold your phone,’ Tessa ordered.

‘Fine. I’m going.’ Ms Darcy raced behind her offering to help.

Once Torran was out of earshot, I stepped down from the platform and sat next to Maisey.

‘What is going on with her?’ I said. ‘You’d think she was having a root canal, not preparing for what is supposed to be the happiest day of her life.’