“I’m fine. A bit nauseous. It’ll pass.”
Once I retrieved Mom from the building and put her into the backseat, we drove to the boutique downtown and parked on the side of the road.
“So …” I smoothed out my shirt and pulled the door open to go into the bridal boutique.
Serena wheeled Mom into the store and stood at the front entrance with me, waiting for the woman to seat us.
“How’s Melissa?” I asked Serena.
Mom looked up at her. “How is she? I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
Serena slapped my arm. “Why didn’t you tell me that she was pregnant? I found out the other day when she refused to have a glass of wine with me,” she said.
Mom’s eyes widened, a smile crossing her face. “Melissa is pregnant?! Oh my goodness!” She clapped her hands together and smiled wider at me. “Sweetheart, that means that—” She stopped herself short, her cheeks reddening.
When she didn’t say anything for a few moments, Serena butted in, “Yeah, but it’s Mason’s.” Serena frowned. “Have you heard?”
I rolled my eyes and groaned. Yes, I had heard about Mason. He’d sat in jail for a single night and been out by morning. From what Michael had told me, Mason had a court date sometime in a couple weeks. And I was praying that he’d get the maximum sentence he could get for sexual assault. But I highly doubted that he’d get half the maximum. He’d probably get more like paying a few thousand dollars in fines and a sterndon’t do that againby his father.
“He has a couple weeks,” I said.
Serena rolled her eyes and groaned. “He shouldn’t have been let out at all. He’s disgusting.”
A woman walked up to us with a big smile on her face. “Welcome to Adorn! I’m Rachel. Which one of you is the bride?” she asked, glancing between us three.
Mom pushed me toward her, and I awkwardly held out my hand and introduced myself.
“Well, Mia, we’re going to find the perfect dress for you today.”
She guided us to a couch, set out some wine for Serena and Mom, and led me to the back to start trying on dresses. After awkwardly standing in my underwear for ten minutes, she appeared in the doorway with five different dresses hanging across one arm.
After she handed me the first dress, I stepped into it and stared at my reflection with wide eyes. I was wearing a wedding dress … a freaking wedding dress. I, Mia, was going to be married to Michael Bryne.
Part of me didn’t believe it. We had only been together for a few months, but it had seemed like lifetimes. I had so much love for him, and I knew that we could get through anything … but marriage was so sudden. And at the same time, I couldn’t wait for it.
“So, who’s the lucky man?” Rachel asked, zipping up the dress.
“His name’s Michael,” I said. “He’s an architect, and he’s such a sweetheart.”
“Yeah?” she asked, placing her hand on my back and smiling at me through the mirror.
“He’s so loving and caring and honest,” I whispered, with Michael on my mind.
It made me smile, thinking about everything we’d been through and how it made us stronger. There’d be more drama, but we’d get through it.
“Well, Mia, I think he’s going to love you in this dress.” She opened the door for me. “Why don’t we go see what your mom thinks of it?” She ushered me out into the other room, holding the train of my gown.
Mom sucked in a deep breath when she saw me, tears welling in her eyes. “My God, Mia.” She fanned her face and squealed. “Mia, you look so beautiful! I can’t believe that this is happening. My baby is getting married!”
CHAPTER40
MIA
We had spent the majority of the morning at Adorn as I tried on dress after dress to find the perfect one. But none of the dresses fit me how I wanted … until I tried on the last one. Sheer bodice, A-line style with a light V-neck. Slim around the waist and flowy from the hips down.
I felt like a princess.
A damn princess.
