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She didn't seem threatening, standing in the door with a mug in her hand. She had to be barely five feet with a petite frame to match. Her features were angular and accentuated by a pageboy haircut and white blond hair. She wore a heather gray Ramones T-shirt, cut off denim shorts and cowboy boots. She obviously wasn’t there to steal my clothing because I could tell just from looking at her she was more fashion conscious than my wardrobe could provide. Not to mention my clothes would swallow her tiny frame whole.
She arched a single eyebrow, intensely blue eyes taking me in warily.
I would have put a hand on my hip if that meant not releasing the cover. She was an intruder. I’d be doing all the glaring, thank you very much.
I came forward a step, balling the sheet in my fist and trying to seem more threatening than I really felt.
"I don't know who you are, but my husband--" I paused, surprised by the word coming out my mouth so effortlessly. At first I thought it was because I was frightened and somehow, husband sounded better than fiancé. But it felt so natural on my tongue, even if it wasn't exactly true.
The woman walked to the mahogany dresser near the door and lowered the mug. "I’m Naomi. Mr. Whitmore is finalizing the wedding plans.” Her voice had an Australian lilt. “He sent me here to show you the dress options and help you decide on a bouquet and hair." The sides of the woman's mouth curled upward in amusement. "Relax. I'm here to help." She gestured at the cup. "It's fresh.” She snapped her fingers, and fished a note out of her pocket, dropping it beside the coffee. “Why don't I let you get dressed and you can meet me in the sitting room? A friend of yours is waiting to video chat--"
I dropped the sheet. "Megan?"
Naomi inclined her head, her bight eyes twinkling. "She told me to tell you to 'hurry up so she can yell at you in person'." She turned to go. “I’ll be right outside.”
I was still catching up, smiling like an idiot because Megan was going to be apart of my day. I told her my name and that it was nice to meet her even though it was obvious she knew exactly who I was.
Once I was alone I went to the dresser and picked up the folded note, relaxing a little when I saw Jacob’s handwriting.
All of the paperwork came through this morning. Tonight, I’m making you my wife.
Naomi comes highly recommended.
I’ll see you on the beach, Lay.
xx Jacob
I brought the note up to my nose, sniffing it like I expected to smell some hint of him. Just seeing those words were enough to make sparks light in my chest.
I went to my overnight bag, pulling out a pair of cotton shorts and a bra and shimmied into something presentable in record time. I pulled out one of the scarves and tied it around my head, holding back my frizzy locks.
I grabbed the coffee and took a hearty gulp before I stepped out in the hall. I heard the early morning sounds of the island mixing with a familiar voice and stepped into the room beside the entrance.
Naomi was holding a strand of pearls in front of the computer.
"That's a little too formal for the beach--Leila!"
Naomi stepped to the side and I rushed forward, almost hugging the monitor. "Oh my god, Meg! It's like you're here!"
She huffed, flipping her red hair with faux annoyance. "I wish. I'd much rather be on a Caribbean island than grading these papers, that's for sure!" She smiled, dropping the joke and nodding with approval when Naomi came up with a pair of diamond earrings and held them beside my head. They were studs but they caught all the light in the room and glittered like stars. "Those are perfect! What do you think?"
"They're beautiful, but--"
"Naomi, can you show her my favorite dress?"
I whipped around as the woman shuffled to a metal rack and thumbed through until she got one with a pink tag near the back.
"Oh wow."
Naomi held it out as I took it in. It had two thin straps with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice swept to one side with a thin white sash that highlighted the breezy fabric. The bottom flowed to the ground, the chiffon light and airy. It was the perfect dress for the beach. Elegant but whimsical. It was a little bit of him--powerful, rich; and a little bit of me--unruly and free.
It was perfect.
I touched it fondly with my fingers, caressing the fabric. "You picked this out?"
"I thought it was weird when Jacob called me to get the store’s information.” When I turned back to her, confused, she gave me a tiny smile. "Yes, I picked them out. Well, me and your mom. We were going to show them to you during the dress shopping appointment next week."
I hung my head guiltily. I'd robbed them of the moment. Of the memory. "I'm so sorry Megan. And Mom--"
