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My eyes go wide with agreement as I pull another dress from the rack. Leann is only half right, though. Despite Jameson’s many flaws, what he does for his parents comes from the heart. A few years back Jameson bought the building his dad’s repair shop is in, so he would no longer have to pay rent. Then, after winning the Super Bowl, he bought them both new cars. He tries to make their lives easier even though they fight him on it. Of course, both gestures pissed off Jackson, but the sibling rivalry between those two will probably never end.
“Here.” I hold out the four dresses in my hands for Leann to take. “Try these on.”
She briefly looks through them and frowns. “They’re just so fancy.”
“They are, and you’re going to look so beautiful in whichever one you pick.”
Her hazel eyes meet mine, and I can’t help but see Jackson in them. With a heavy sigh, she takes the dresses from my grasp and turns toward the small dressing room. Once inside, she closes the door, and I take a seat on a nearby chaise.
“How’s your wedding coming along, sweetheart?”
“Um, great. Everything is done.”
Looking in the mirror opposite me, I notice I’m chewing on my bottom lip. A nervous habit I’ve started doing whenever someone brings up the wedding.
“That’s wonderful. I ask Jackson all the time, but you know, men. Never one for details.”
Leann opens the door, and she’s wearing the blush pink cocktail dress I chose. It has a shimmering lace overlay and falls at the knee with a scalloped hem. The color complements her olive complexion and dark hair, while the cut of the dress stresses her lean figure.
“That one’s my favorite.” I smile at her. She turns, takes in a deep breath, and puffs out her cheeks. She’s not convinced. “Mitch is going to have a coronary when he sees you in that.”
“The only thing giving him a coronary will be the credit card bill when it comes.” She takes the tag between her fingers and raises an eyebrow at the price. “I’m gonna have to clean the house in this to make sure I get my money’s worth. You make sure I’m buried in it too, for what it cost.”
With a laugh, I nod my head. “Yes, ma’am.”
“This might be the one, but I feel obligated to try the others as well. I still need something for your wedding.” She does one last turn in the mirror before facing me. She takes two steps forward and places her hands on either side of my face. “My sweet girl. Thank you for putting up with me today.”
“Leann, I’m always here for you, whenever you need me.”
“The daughter I always wanted.” Her eyes hold mine, and I fight the hard lump that’s rapidly forming in my throat. “How many nights have I prayed Jackson would wake up and realize what’s right in front of him? But if my boys were half as smart as they are good-looking, they’d be dangerous.”
