“What?” Confusion wound through me while my stupid insides took flight.
Emery stepped forward. “He called me super early and asked if he could go into Ivy Threads and pick something special for you. Which I just so happened to have something extra special that our very own Piper here designed. Cash walked directly to it, obviously, since it’s the most gorgeous dress we have in the store. It’s not exactly a traditional wedding dress, but I think it’s perfect.” Emery brushed her fingers over the backside of Piper’s arm in a show of admiration.
Redness splashed Piper’s cheeks. “I hope you like it.”
“He also had us help him pick out some cute outfits for the kids,” Emery added.
I stood there stunned. Cash picked out a dress for me? Picked out clothes for my children? I thought for sure the plan had been demolished last night.
That it was too painful for him to even entertain.
That what I had asked of him had become too much.
Charleigh laughed a disbelieving sound. “I don’t think there’s any worry in that. It’s stunning. Cash is going to lose his mind when he sees you in it.”
My nerves rattled. Apprehension and this buzz of excitement that I knew better than to allow to invade.
This was fake.
Fake.
Fake.
Fake.
I silently chanted it to try to keep my fantasies from galloping away and becoming a life of their own. From turning this fiction into fact.
“Cash only asked that you open this alone first before we‘descend on her with whatever torture you plan on inflicting’.” She made the grumpiest, growliest voice that she could, her head rocking back and forth as she parroted him. “As if us coming in here to help you get ready for the most important day of your life is torture. More like Best. Day. Ever.”
“And we brought mimosas.” Glass bottles clanked as Charleigh lifted her bag.
“I…”
“Go on, take this and we’ll get the kids ready to go.”
Piper gestured to Raven, who stepped forward and placed the large white box in my hands. A pink ribbon was wrapped around it, the bow adorned with fresh white and pink flowers that matched.
It was so pretty I almost hated to open it, but honestly, I couldn’t wait to see what was hidden inside.
A hum of anticipation whirring through my spirit as I pictured that gruff man in Emery’s boutique picking it out for me.
Gulping, I accepted the package. “Thank you.”
“Oh, I don’t think you need to thank me,” Raven said with a smirk. “You can thank Cash later.”
“It’s not like that,” I tried to reiterate.
She laughed a tinkling sound. “Oh, my sweet, dear, innocent Daisy. Cash demanded all of us meet him at the store at six o’clock this morning to help him pick out awedding dressfor you.”
“And shoes!” Emery lifted another bag, then she hiked up the one in her other hand and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “We took it upon ourselves to pick out the sexy bits. That way it’s a surprise for him.”
“Uh…um…” I stammered again.
Raven angled her pretty head. “This is our resident recluse who doesn’t attend family events until I’m threatening physical harm. And he actually gave us the green light to come here this morning. To actuallygointo his house. A place we’ve been forbidden to step foot into, a rule I had to adhere to in fear of stepping into some sort of booby trap.”
She gave me a look like it would be ludicrous to think otherwise.
“And based on the way you look properly loved up this morning, I’m thinking it’s definitelylike that,” Charleigh rushed beneath her breath, making sure that the kids were out of earshot.
