They placed an order for fifty printed invitations and worked with the shop’s designer to create a digital announcement they could email and text to extended friends and family. An hour later, with their printed stack in hand, they went in search of the promised food.
Halfway through dinner, one of them realized they’d completely forgotten about bridesmaid dresses.
Beth groaned good-naturedly. “Pick your dresses. Just match the invitations. I don’t care what they look like—I never want to go dress shopping again.”
They lingered over dessert and laughed late into the evening. By the time Beth was dropped off at the loft, it was surprisingly late.
The loft was dark except for a single light over the kitchen island. A note waited for her next to a vase of flowers.
Lizzy,
I couldn’t get you on your cell, but Dr. Gibson needs me to cover a shift. I’m working from 1am until 9am. I’m heading to bed but should be off in time to meet you at church. Hope you had fun with your mom and sister.
Love you
Bryce
P.s. Got one with a vase this time…;)
Beth turned the note over and scribbled her own message on the back before turning off the light and heading to bed with a smile.
Good morning.
My phone died—I didn’t realize until I was already on the way here.
We had a great time. I GOT A WEDDING DRESS!
I hope you’ll like it. I’ll save you aseat at church and pray your shift is uneventful.
Night.
P.S. !!!Check out our wedding invites.
P.P.S The flash drive has a digital copy of the wedding announcement and invitation!!
In the morning, she found his reply written along the edge of her note.
If you’re in it, I know I’ll like the dress—almost as much as I’ll enjoy taking it off you. (It’s a shame I won’t get to see the blush on your face right now!)
See you soon, sweetheart.
The coffee’s ready to be turned on—like me.
There’s a misprint on the invite…it doesn’t say June 1st… ;)
I sent the announcement to my family and work…no turning back now.
She hadn’t even seen him, but somehow, he’d still managed to make her blush.
Smiling, Beth turned on the coffee and headed upstairs to get ready.
This was shaping up to be a good day.
CHAPTER 28
The following days passed in a blur of relaxation and routine. Beth hadn’t fully unpacked everything from the emotional storm of the previous weeks—but there’d been no new drama, no fresh gossip, and for now, that was enough. Days off together, wedding planning, and intimate moments with Bryce, she was finally starting to breathe again. It was the proverbial calm before the storm she encountered when she returned to work.
“Alright, Mr. Berry, that should do it,” Beth said gently, pressing the final adhesive strip over the gauze on his leg.
