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She has always been someone we could talk to, but I don’t want to insult her either.
“Always.”
I draw in a deep breath. “I’m afraid to lose the inn because what if I lose the one thing that gives me a sense of security?” Even if it’s not doing well right now, I don’t say. “I mean, there’s not a career out there I’m dying to do or anything. I love taking care of the inn, taking care of my guests. But even if I hired more employees, traveled with Noah sometimes. Then I lose it all if he ever decides I’m not enough for him.”
My mom takes a big breath. “I had a feeling.”
“What?”
“That your father’s and my divorce scared you. But Noah isn’t your dad. Not by a long shot.”
“You barely know him,” I say, being completely honest, although I’ve not seen characteristics like my dad’s in Noah.
“But I was married to your dad for a long time. I can spot a clone.”
I laugh. “I know he’s not Dad, but that doesn’t mean we won’t just fall out of love.”
Except we’re not even in love. We’re in lust if anything.
Seriously, I’m already imagining coming home tonight to find him there and I like it—too much.
“That’s the chance you take with love, yes. I took that chance twice, and when it pays off, it pays off big. I’ve never been happier than with Hank. But I think you already know that. And it was hard with him. He’d been married to a woman he loved very much. His wife died and I always worried I wouldn’t compare to Laurie. That’s why I promised myself, as hard as it was to be reminded that I was his second wife, there needed to be room in our marriage for her. Especially with her being your stepsiblings’ mother.”
“You handled it better than most would.” I glance at her and smile.
“That doesn’t mean it was easy. I might have made it look that way, but it was a struggle. What are you really afraid of with Noah?”
I pull off the highway. “I don’t know. He’s adventurous, I’m not. He likes to live life to the fullest, see the world, and I enjoy our small town. Maybe we’re just different.”
“But something drove you together, no?”
I nod. “Yeah, but—”
“Well, you have time. Don’t rush anything. You’re already rushing getting married. Just let all the other big decisions you have to make soak in more. Maybe after he leaves, that will change your mind or even his. You never know what the future holds, and no one has a crystal ball.”
I pull into the parking lot as I mull over her words.
“I can’t wait to see how beautiful you look.” She opens her door and gets out of the car.
I sit for a second longer, taking in her advice. She’s right. I need to relax and let the chips fall where they may.
Brena and Thad greet us as soon as we walk through the bridal shop door.
“We have your dress all ready.” Brena beams and walks me to the back.
Thad escorts my mom to the mirrored area with couches.
“I’ve been excited for you to come in all week.” She unzips the bag and there’s my dress, fully altered to my dimensions. “You picked a wonderful dress.”
I strip down to my corset and underwear, and she opens the dress for me to step in. Once the zipper goes up without a fight, I release a relieved breath and stare at myself in the mirror. I’m so in love with this dress and can’t believe I’m wearing this to a fake wedding, for a fake fiancé.
“Let’s go show your mom,” Brena says.
I walk out of the fitting room, over to the pedestal, and stare at three reflections of me.
My mom comes up behind me, sniffling. “Oh, Mandi.”
I smile at her in the mirror, smoothing my hands down the front of my dress. “I know.”
I’m actually getting married. Too bad it’s not the real thing, because what I feel for Noah is way too real for me to admit to anyone, especially him.
