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“Shit,” I mutter.
The big box has landed on top of me, the lid has flown off, and I’m buried under a pile of white tulle and lace. Sitting up, I blink at the fabric and carefully lift it closer.
My heart jolts as if I had just been struck by lightning.
It’s a wedding gown.
Suddenly, that stabbing pain pierces my temple again, sharper than it’s ever been.
My wedding gown. My wedding gown.
Gathering the gauzy fabric in my hands, I bring it to my face and begin to sob uncontrollably. Random images flash in my mind, blinding me. Alex at the altar. Flowers. Wedding cake. Dancing. Music. Laughter.
Slow kisses.
I do.
Rings.
I love you.
“Penny! Holy crap, what happened?” Lily kneels down next to me. “Are you okay?”
“My dress…” Pain seers through my skull. “It hurts so much…”
“Did you hit your head?”
“I don’t —” More images carousel through my mind.
His smile.
You’re beautiful, Mrs. Fox.
His hand in mine.
Can’t wait to spend forever with you.
The tears come in unstoppable waves as I hug the gown to my body and rock against the pain.
“Penny, where are you hurt?” Lily asks desperately.
“Everywhere…” I sob.
“Dad! Come up here! Penny’s hurt and freaking out!”
Footsteps thunder on the stairs and up the hall.
Alex halts in the doorway. “What the fuck happened?”
“I don’t know. I think these boxes fell on her. She keeps grabbing her head and not making sense.”
He’s instantly on the floor beside us. My Alex. “Penny, what happened?”
“Alex…” I clutch the front of his soft blue flannel shirt. “My dress hit me in the head. I don’t know why it hurts so much…”
“Does she have brain damage?” I hear Lily ask. But that can’t be Lily. She’s not even here yet.
“Of course not,” Alex says. “Run downstairs and get some ice.”
“Why is Lily here?” A voice whispers. Is it mine? It doesn’t sound like my voice, but it’s coming from my mouth. “She can’t be here yet.”
What is happening to me?
My heart pounds against my rib cage like a trapped bird. “I’m so confused, Alex…help me.”
“It’s okay,” he says softly. “I’m here. Did the box hit your head?”
He’s blurry through my tears, coming in out of my vision…with a patch over his eye, then without. I reach out to touch his face. “What happened to you?” I murmur.
“Shhh… let me check your head.”
Gently cradling my head in his hands, he pushes my hair from my face and runs his long fingers over my scalp. The warmth of his touch slowly brings me out of the mental haze.
“I don’t see or feel any bumps or cuts.”
His thumb grazes over my forehead, pausing at my left temple. He leans closer. Worry etches his face.
A shiver shimmies up my spine.
“What’s this mark?” he asks. “Is this new?”
I reach up to cover his hand with mine. “It’s always been there. I cover it with my hair. I don’t like looking at it.”
“You winced when I touched it. Does it hurt?”
I let out a shaky breath and decide I’m not going to tell him how it feels like an ice pick is being driven into my head sometimes. “No. I just don’t want you to see it.”
Frowning, he asks, “Do you feel sick or dizzy, anything like that?”
“No. I feel okay now.”
He sits back on his heels and holds his hand up, making the peace sign with his fingers. His silver wedding band catches the light. “How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Your whole hand is up, so five.”
A slow grin spreads across his lips. “There’s my little smart-ass.”
I can’t take my eyes off his smile. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, especially for a man. I’ve never kissed anyone before, but suddenly, all I want to do is touch his lips with my fingertips, press my mouth to his, taste him.
Lily appears in the doorway. “I put some ice in a sock.”
I sit up and slowly push the dress off my lap. My fingers linger on the intricate lace and detailed beading. So beautiful and timeless. It’s exactly the kind of gown I would want.
Lily’s gaze sharpens. “Should we call 9-1-1?”
Alex takes the ice sock from her and presses it to the side of my head. “I don’t think we need to do that. I think the box just bonked her on the head and she got confused for a minute.” He turns back to me. “But maybe we should call your parents?”
“Please don’t. My mom will run to the internet and diagnose me with a brain tumor. I’m fine,” I assure them. I can’t believe I’ve ruined a fun night by having another weird meltdown. These strange episodes have only ever happened in front of my parents or when I’m alone. Having them in front of Lily and Alex is completely embarrassing. “I’m so sorry—”
“Don’t be sorry,” Lily says. “Stuff happens.”
“As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters,” Alex adds, helping me stand.
