CHAPTER 7
DESIRAE
Today is fitting day for some of my models. I want to represent various generations on the runway, so the women coming in today include Mrs. Reilly and Regina. They’ll work perfectly as grandmother and mother of a bride or groom.
Joselyn arrives with Mrs. Reilly, who is gushing with excitement over the charity fashion show.
“You know, I never had the opportunity to see my own child get married.”
It dawns on me that in the ten years I’ve known Mrs. Reilly, we never really talked about her family, other than the fact her husband passed away from cancer many years ago. “I didn’t know you had any children, Mrs. Reilly.”
I watch intently as she gets a melancholy look on her face.
She emits a soft sigh. “My son Christopher passed away a little over forty years ago. He was a young adult, and had his whole life ahead of him.”
I embrace her in a hug. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Reilly. I didn’t know. You don’t have to do this if it’s too painful.”
“But I want to do it, dear. It’s for the town.” Her smile returns, as if letting go of the sad memory.
“You’re going to look gorgeous in the dress I have for you.”
“I can’t wait to try it on. Do you also have a nice young man to escort me so I don’t fall?”
Joselyn giggles, and the somber mood passes. “I think that can be arranged. Actually, that’s a grand idea! Desirae, what do you think about asking some of the guys to serve as escorts?”
“Sounds good to me. Will you take care of that, please?”
“Just leave it to me!”
Soon after Joselyn takes Mrs. Reilly home, Regina arrives for her fitting. I’ve selected a burgundy mid-length lace dress for her mother-of-the-bride ensemble, which looks fabulous with her Italian complexion and dark hair.
While she’s in the changing room, Stone arrives unexpectedly.
“What are you doing here?”
I wince, realizing the question came out harsher than I intended, although according to his laugh, I can tell he doesn’t take offense. I’m just glad he can’t see my insides are tingling. I hate the mixed messages my body and my brain are sending me right now.
“I knew you’d be working with the models this morning, so I thought I’d stop by and bring you guys some sustenance.”
He doesn’t even have to tell me what he brought, as the aroma of fresh pastries came right in the door with him, and the boxes with the Seaside Sweets logo are a dead giveaway.
Okay, maybe he’s not so bad.
He sets the boxes down. “I’ll be right back. I’ve got coffee and tea as well.”
Regina enters the showroom in her dress as Stone walks back in. He spots her right away and grins. “Hello, Mom. I would ask what you’re doing here, but I’m guessing you’re going to be in the fashion show, since you’ve got that dress on. It looks great on you, by the way.”
Regina twirls around like a ballerina so Stone can get the full effect. “Thank you, son.”
Did she just call himson? “Wait a minute. Regina—Stone is the son you’ve been trying to introduce me to?”
Regina smiles, clearly not bothered by the fact that she apparently knew who I was going to confront in West Palm that day. “Yes. But now I know you’ve already met.”
Stone looks back and forth between us. “I know this is a small town and all, but how do you two know each other?”
Regina and I speak simultaneously. “We’re neighbors.”
He throws back his head and laughs, the deep baritone causing a pleasant warmth to my insides.
