AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No wonder why you’re so bitchy lately. Twice the hormones.” Evie’s joke sends the other women into fits of laughter. I’m trying to wrap my head around the supportive girl gang while remaining an outsider.
“Congratulations,” I add with a soft smile.
“I came straight from my appointment and just found out this morning.” She swoops a rigid finger through the air. “Which means none of you better tell my husband before I get the chance to.”
A chorus of rejections sounds from the group.
“Can you secretly record him?” Evie asks innocently.
“I bet fifty dollars he faints,” Cami adds.
“You two are ridiculous,” Kiersten pouts. “He’s tougher than that. He’ll handle it like a champ.”
“You tried to die during your first delivery. I don’t think he took his eyes off you for the second, and now you’re about to have two at once? Lord help the man.” Cami whips open the glass door to the shop.
“Um, Aunt K, I can babysit Cedric and Dean, but I’m not sure I can handle four at once,” Evelyn announces.
“Don’t worry, babe. You can bring a friend and split the work.”
“But not the cash.” Evelyn follows her mom inside without waiting for a response.
“I used to change your diapers, kid!” Kiersten calls through the open door.
I nudge Evie with my shoulder. “I like your friends.”
Her answering smile radiates her happiness. “They like you too.”
“Come on. Let’s find you a dress so you can finally get married to your man.” I swallow any lingering sadness.
“I’m ready.”
A saleswoman greets us with bubbly flutes of champagne. We sip and chitchat while she prepares a room with some initial picks for Evie, then hauls her back to try on dress number one. The excitement in the air is palpable. I can tell these women all truly love one another.
“So, Caiti, the gossip is mighty hot and heavy around here since you showed up.” Kiersten waggles her eyebrows.
The champagne has loosened my muscles. And my tongue. “You scratch my itch, and I scratch yours.”
“Well…” We lean together conspiratorially, even Evelyn, who’s barely a stitch over eighteen. “Obviously, Dane’s your baby daddy, but the rumor mill is dying to know when and how that happened.”
“What do you mean?” The bubbles sizzle on my tongue.
“Let’s just say he’s not the type of guy to use his business as a hunting ground. Rather the opposite, actually.” Cami furrows her brow. “Calypso’s is probably the safest place in the state for a woman to let loose without fear of being taken advantage of. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him picking up a woman there.”
“Whoa, pump the brakes. He didn’t take advantage of me.”
Kiersten tips her water glass to her lips. “Even Evie says she left you drinking at the bar that night. Not that she’s been gossiping,” she reassures. “She was pissed at Dane for months after you left. She didn’t go to Calypso’s for an entire year.”
That sounds exactly like the type of grudge my sister-in-law would carry with her fiery attitude.
“Let me put an end to that train now. Dane was nothing short of a gentleman that night, and I wasn’t even drunk.”
Kiersten cups her elbow and smirks. “Do tell us more about how much of a gentleman he was.”
“Don’t mind her. She’s always horny,” Cami grouses with a matching grin.
Heat incinerates me from the inside out. “Those details aren’t up for grabs, ladies.”
“Bummer,” Kiersten pouts. “Good for you, anyway. If you’re going to bag a bachelor from this town, he’s one of the last ones standing.”
“That’s not why I’m here.” The champagne in my glass sloshes dangerously close to the rim.
Three pairs of curious eyes stare at me.
“Why are you—?”
Cami’s question is cut short by Evie’s stunning entrance.
The mermaid-style gown hugs every curve and dip along her figure as if it’s been painted on until it flares at her knees. Her plus-sized figure can rock nearly anything, but the white, lace, and tulle dress takes the damn cake. The V between her breasts plunges nearly to her belly button, and white off-the-shoulder sleeves will drive Rhett absolutely insane.
“God, Evie,” I croak and quickly slam more champagne. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Your man will be pissed he can’t yank that over your ass for a quickie.” Kiersten demonstrates once again she has sex on her brain.
“That’s how I build tension.” Evie winks. “This is it. This is the one I wanted,” she squeals.
“You’ve only tried on one. Don’t you want to see any more?” I glance around in confusion to see if the other ladies agree with me on this.
Evie moves off the small dais with grace and stops before me. She grabs my hand and pulls me from my seat without spilling a drop of my drink.
“I’ve had this dress on hold for two years on the condition if someone came in ready to buy it, I’d let it go.”
“I’m sorry.” The waterlogged apology sticks in my throat.
“This just proves it was meant to be,” she says brightly. She uses my hand to perform a twirl, sending the mermaid skirt floating above her ankles. “Now it’s your turn. The color theme is shades of blue, whatever style suits you best.” She waves her hands in a shooing motion. We take the hint and scatter.
“How much are you putting into searching for the perfect dress?” I ask Cami, who ends up at the same rack as me.
“Comfort over everything else. I’ll even wear a pair of flip-flops if she’ll let me, which means I should choose a long style.”
“We wore Converse at my wedding.” The admission slides out naturally. My hands pause on the silky material clenched in my fists, bracing for the pain to come. A small twinge pulses with my heart, but not the usual twisting heartache I’ve become accustomed to. My breath leaves in a slow stream.
