Aidan didn’t say anything. Andrea and David were perfect for each other. Even Andrea’s sons had accepted him into their lives as if it was always meant to be.
It wasn’t easy finding someone who loved you for who you were. After Shannon left, he’d deliberately kept to himself. He’d second-guessed himself and thought there was something wrong with him to be attracted to women who only wanted short-term relationships. But one glance at Jackie, and her warm smile had threatened to crumble his defenses. He’d started to think they could be much more than friends. That maybe she wasn’t like the other women he’d met.
“Why don’t you take Jackie somewhere that doesn’t involve work?” David asked gently. “What do you have to lose?”
Everything, Aidan thought. “I’m not staying in Sapphire Bay. There’s no point getting to know each other if I’m living hundreds of miles away from her.”
David glanced at him. “I’m not the best person to give anyone relationship advice. I’ve made so many mistakes it isn’t funny. But you haven’t dated anyone since Shannon left. Maybe it’s time you enjoyed spending time with another woman. It doesn’t have to be a date.”
“If I tell you I’ll think about it, can we talk about something else?”
David smiled. “As long as it doesn’t involve over-the-top backdrops to bridal tables, I’m all yours.”
Aidan breathed a sigh of relief. Jackie hadn’t seemed excited when he’d asked her to go out for pizza with him. He just hoped that by the end of the night she’d enjoyed herself.
Because he had—more than he wanted to admit.
* * *
Jackie and Parisstood in the living room at Paris’ house, waiting for Andrea to come out of the bedroom. It was the morning of the wedding and, so far today, nothing unexpected had happened. After Mike’s accident yesterday, David and Andrea had been worrying about his injuries and everything else that could go wrong.
Jackie smiled at Paris. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on her elegant bridesmaid’s dress. Its fitted bodice, made from deep ruby-red satin, seemed to come alive in the light, while the double-beaded straps delicately framed the square neckline.
Jackie adjusted the straps of her gown and sighed. “Can you believe it’s finally Andrea’s wedding day, Paris?”
“It feels like she’s been planning this day forever, but it’s only been six weeks.”
The door creaked open, revealing Andrea in her gorgeous wedding dress. A collective gasp filled the room as Jackie and Paris took in the sight of their friend, looking ethereal and radiant.
“Oh, honey...” Paris breathed, blinking back tears. “You’re even more stunning than when we saw you last week.”
Jackie’s eyes filled with misty tears. When Andrea had shown them her dress, she wasn’t wearing makeup and her hair was pulled into a ponytail. Today, she was breathtakingly beautiful, and every bit as emotional as they were.
“Hey, don’t cry!” Jackie warned playfully, wiping at her own eyes. “You’ll ruin your makeup!” She dashed to find tissues, handing them around to prevent any further damage.
Andrea dabbed at her eyes, laughing through her tears. “I can’t help it,” she said, her voice trembling with nerves. “I’m just so happy—and terrified.”
“Everything will be all right,” Paris reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Just take deep breaths and imagine David waiting for you in The Fairy Forest.”
“I’ll try,” Andrea replied with a shaky breath. “Has he left home with the boys yet?”
Jackie shook her head. “He sent me a message a few minutes ago to say he was leaving in ten minutes.” She didn’t dare tell Andrea they couldn’t find Charlie’s shoes.
“Ten minutes?” Andrea’s panicked gaze connected with Jackie. “I still have to attach my veil and that could take—”
Paris gave Andrea a hug. “We’ve got plenty of time. But your veil isn’t the only thing we have to do. We have a gift for you.”
Jackie took a small box off the table. “We didn’t want to leave anything to chance, so Paris and I have something for the ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ rhyme.”
Paris nodded. “We thought your mom’s pearl necklace you’re wearing could be the ‘something old’. And the ‘something borrowed’ could be your dress from The Bridesmaids Club.”
Jackie handed Andrea the box. “That left us with the ‘something new’ and ‘something blue’.”
Andrea’s eyes widened as she touched the white satin ribbon tied around the blue box. “Is this what I think it is?”
Paris grinned. “If you’re thinking Tiffany’s, it is.”
Andrea’s mouth dropped open. “I’ve only seen pictures of their boxes in magazines.”
