I slammed my eyes shut and spun around. Behind me, a storm unleashed.
“What made you think walking into a bridal changing room was a good idea?”
I winced. “Didn’t exactly think, ma’am. Just following orders.”
Dylan, the little traitor, picked that exact moment to squeal my name, “Oah!” Followed by something that might’ve beentruck,puck, or whatever toddler-friendly curse he was going for.
Goddamn it, Dylan.
“Not helping, buddy,” I muttered under my breath.
The woman behind the mirror scoffed. “If you value your face, you’ll back out now.”
“I’m sorry! I’m going!” I fumbled for the exit, nearly taking down the entire tent in my haste.
My heart was hammering like it was trying to punch its way out, my brain replaying exactly what I’d just seen.
It was her. And she was gorgeous.
Like, drop-dead, jaw-on-the-floor, make-a-man-stupid gorgeous.
Gone was the cowgirl attire. In its place? A blue dress—half on, half off. Whether she was trying to put it on or rip it off was anyone’s guess.
Not that it mattered to my poor heart.
Because yeah, I backed out fast enough to save my face. But not fast enough to erase what I’d seen.
But one thing stuck with me. A blue dress. An interesting choice for a bride, but hey, modern weddings were full of surprises.
I dragged a hand down my face, still standing there like an idiot, while slowly, my pulse returned to something resembling normal. I was one step away from escaping this disaster when?—
Her voice stopped me cold.
“Wait!”
I turned back, fighting the urge to cut and run. “Ma’am?” I spoke into the closed flap.
“I need help!”
I hesitated. “Of course.”
“Is Claire there?”
“Ah…no, ma’am. She just left.”
“Any other woman?”
“Unfortunately not.”
Silence. Then, a long-suffering sigh.
“Well…actually, couldyouhelp me?”
It took me a second to process. “Uh. Yeah. Sure.”
“Are you Elia?”
“No. I’m his brother.”
