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I pretend to examine the fabric of a satin dress I know Livvy would hate, my cheeks warming at the memory of Brandon’s huge arms around me. “I may or may not have fallen off an ottoman when I was trying to put a book on a high shelf.” I pause for effect. “And Pastor Brandon may or may not have caught me.”
Vanessa’s mouth drops open. “How did that happen?”
I roll my eyes at my own stupidity. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I was too embarrassed to ask Brandon for a stepladder.”
Livvy’s expression is incredulous. “You’re never embarrassed.”
I shrug. “I could tell he was annoyed with me for asking too many questions.”
Vanessa’s brows shoot up. “That doesn’t sound like the Pastor Brandon I know. Especially not withyou.”
I roll my eyes dramatically, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach at her insinuation. Even if he were as horny for me as I am for him, what difference would it make?
He’s celibate, damn it. He’s not going to have sex with anyone but his future wife.
A tragedy, really.
I pull at the hem of a lacey blue dress to give me a better view of it. “He said he was just stressed out.”
“Maybe he was stressed out because you got him all worked up,” Livvy says. “And he had no way to release the…tension, if you know what I mean.”
I giggle, but my laughter quickly fades when a sparkle at the corner of the shop draws my attention. Electricity skates across my skin when I get a full view of the mermaid dress.
I can see Livvy in that dress. On a beach at sunset. With Cole smiling down at her with adoring eyes.
“Livvy,” I mutter. “I think I might have found the dress. And I do meanthedress.”
She frowns, her eyes following my gaze. “You meanmydress?”
“Yes.”
“No, no. I can’t look at wedding dresses. My mom would murder me. Ness and I promised her today would only be bridesmaid shopping.”
Despite her denial, we all make our way over to the dress as if drawn to it by an invisible force. As we get closer, the sunlight sparkles over the delicate beading.
“Ness, what do you think?” I ask.
“Oh, Livvy,” she says in a hushed voice. “You have to try it on.”
I shoot Livvy a stern look. “The shape of it is perfect for your curves.”
She bites her lip. “I can’t try it on. I’ll just take a picture of it for next time.”
“No.” Vanessa’s eyes twinkle with mischief. She walks over to the dress and pulls it off the rack. “You’re trying it on today. We won’t tell Mom. We’ll stage something with her if we have to.”
Livvy groans. “That’s so deceitful, Ness.”
I purse my lips to hide my smile. Sometimes my bestie is so earnestly sweet I want to laugh.
“We’ve been dress shopping with her at least five times already,” Vanessa says. “It’s her fault you haven’t found anything you love yet. She’s too critical, and she gets into your head.”
“And if it’s not here the next time you look for dresses?” I ask. “You’ll always wonder.”
Livvy’s eyes widen minutely, and I know I’ve won. Vanessa shoots me a sly smile, and a moment later, we’re standing in the large dressing room helping Livvy into the dress. After I’ve hooked the last button, Livvy turns around, and both Vanessa and I gasp.
“Oh, Livvy,” Vanessa says.
“This is the one,” I mutter, my throat growing tight.
