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April leaned back in her chair but then her eyes lit as if she saw her inspiration. “I love this one.” She pointed to the mermaid styled short-sleeved dress. “I love the neckline, but can we do strapless?”
“Absolutely,” Leah said. She added the changes to her notepad.
****
Chip barked and jetted toward Leah, his little ears flopping as he bounded up and down the floor. Warmth radiated through her. How did she ever live without her little puppy? She opened her arms and hugged him close while squatting to the floor. Her phone buzzed in her purse, so she freed him from her grasp to check her messages.
6:21 PM… Seth: On my way. See u soon
Leah’s eyes widened. She dashed to her bedroom in search of something to wear. She decided on her fitted jeans, but switched her top to a white t-shirt and floral blazer. She pulled her loose curls into a high ponytail. Chip circled her, his pink tongue out. She bent and patted his back.
She balanced herself against the wall as she slipped her feet into her heels. She tilted her head. She scurried to her closet only to hear her doorbell. Chip barked and sped to the front door. Leah slipped her feet inside her flats.
She strolled to the front door. She opened it to see Seth, his eyes gleaming.
“You look great,” he said.
“Thank you.”
He lowered his head to the floor. “You got a puppy.” He squatted to the floor and reached out a hand. Chip hesitated but soon reached out his paw. “He’s cute.” Seth scratched behind his ears.
Leah reached down and picked up her puppy. “He’s going to keep Mrs. Hartley company tonight.”
“Oh, good.” He waited as she gathered up her purse and Chip. After dropping Chip off, Leah settled into the passenger’s seat of Seth’s truck.
“How was your day?” Seth asked.
“Good. I’m designing another wedding dress. Did you hear about Jeremy and April’s engagement?”
“Yeah, Cole told me about it.”
Her chest fluttered at the sound of his name. “Yeah, it was exciting. April can’t wait.”
Seth turned the corner heading down the road. “Jeremy’s done well for himself. Knowing April though, the wedding may be over the top.”
“All brides can be that way in one form or another.”
“Is this the second dress you’ve designed?” he asked.
“Yes. It’s been a…” She folded her hands in her lap. “It’s been overwhelming, but I love what I do.”
“I miss those days.”
She cocked her head toward him. “You don’t enjoy coaching the kids?”
He sighed. “I do. I never thought I would be a coach, but when you’ve planned your life another way, reality has a way of taking away your dreams.”
“I’m sorry, Seth. I can’t imagine what that feels like.”
He kneaded his shoulder. “It was rough. For a moment, I wondered would I ever walk again. That was the worse pain I ever felt, but once I finished physical therapy, I knew it wouldn’t be the same.”
“You put this town on the map though. Piedmont Valley was proud. They still are.”
“Are you?” he asked.
“I am. I was happy for you. For a while, you were living your dreams.”
“But I left you behind.” His jaw slackened.
