I am perusing the dresses, waiting for my best friend and sister-in-law, Macy, to arrive and help me choose. I’d met Macyat an exercise class in our local gym, and we’ve been friends ever since. She’d also married my brother Jaxon in what started out as a marriage of convenience and ended up with them head-over-heels in love. So now I have my best friend as my sister-in-law, and I love that Macy is family.
A bell rings, indicating someone has entered the store, and I glance up to see Macy walking toward me. Because she owns a website design business and works from home, Macy can make her own hours, and my last-minute request to shop isn’t a problem for her.
“I’m here, but I still don’t know why you need a formal dress.” Macy, her hair pulled up in a casual bun, wears a pair of leggings and a floral tunic top and looks relaxed and happy, a far cry from the panicked woman she’d been when she’d married Jaxon to help her keep custody of her teenage sister.
I hold up a raspberry-colored gown with what looks like silver clasps on the tops of the shoulders. “Because I’m going to a wedding in Manhattan this weekend. Oh, and I also need shoes, so plan on a long day. Does this color go with my complexion?”
Macy shakes her head. “I don’t love it. Let’s keep looking. And don’t keep me in suspense. This has to be a last-minute trip or you’d have mentioned it sooner. Not to mention have already gone shopping. So what’s going on?”
My friend knows that I rarely date and aren’t big on one-night stands, either, so this news will come as a shock. One I wanted to tell Macy in person because it will lead to a long conversation, and Macy had been in a rush when I called her to make plans. I’ve only had time to tell her the story about falling and hurting my hands before we’d agreed on a time to meet.
I figure I may as well start at the beginning. “Hudson and I kissed. Twice.”
“What?” Macy’s raised voice causes other customers to turn around and an uppity saleswoman to frown at us.
I grin, ignoring the woman. “After I fell outside the clinic, I couldn’t stand up in my heels. Hudson carried me inside and took care of my palms. I thanked him, one thing led to another… and we kissed, but Braden interrupted us.”
“That must have gone over well.” Macy’s voice drips sarcasm because she knows how protective the Prescott brothers can be. “And the second time?” she asks.
“Yesterday at my house. He came by to check on me and brought medical supplies to bandage my palms.”
Although he’d wrapped my hands again, before he’d left, he’d shown me the large bandages I’ll have an easier time applying on my own, and I put the less obvious dressing on my hands today. At night he’d instructed me to let the wounds breathe and leave them uncovered.
“He asked me to be his plus-one this weekend at a family wedding, and after I agreed, we kissed. Again.”
Macy lets out a low whistle. “Afamilywedding? Isn’t that like making a serious statement or something?”
I shake my head. “No. In this case it’s more like he’s letting his family know he’s living his own life and to back off, don’t matchmake or pressure him to come home in any way.”
“Aah. And what does his invitation say to you?” Macy asks. “Or better yet, what does your agreement say to him? Is this a serious thing?” Macy’s question is a valid one.
My feelings about dating and being used or hurt haven’t changed, but I can’t deny the flutters in my stomach when I so much as think about Hudson, either. I also understand he needs me as a buffer with his family, but I know that going in, which makes the situation understandable, and there are no feelings of being exploited for my connections or used in any way. I like the idea of helping him out and making this weekend easier for him.
“Well,” I say, picking up a sleek long black dress. “I don’t know Hudson’s views on relationships, but I know mine. Andthis is a weekend away with a sexy man and the chance to explore things without all my brothers butting in.” I shrug. “That’s about as far as I’ve thought things through. In other words, we’re going to a wedding, not getting married. It’s all good.”
Macy smiles. “Well, you’re excited, and that’s enough for me. Now let’s pick a dress.”
We sort through the possibilities and choose some for me to try on. There is one large fitting room in the back, and Macy comes in with me, talking as I try on one gown after another.
“Do your brothers know about your trip this weekend?” she asks.
“Can you zip me?” I turn, lifting my hair so Macy can pull up the zipper in the back. “I certainly haven’t told any of them,” I say, picking up the discussion where we’d left off. “I’m not hiding it, but I don’t need to either get into an argument about my personal life or have them give Hudson a hard time because he’s doing whatever with their sister.” I make a face that expresses what I think of their interference.
“You do realize Braden is the one who gives Hudson the weekend off from the team? And they work together at the clinic, so he’ll know Hudson is away. And he’ll realize you’re gone, too, and put two and two together.”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever. He’ll get over himself. We’re all adults, and when this thing, whatever it is, with Hudson ends, we can all stay friends.”
I ignore the twinge in my stomach at the thought, be it of things ending, which is silly when we’d barely begun, or just being Hudson’s friend. I shake my head, knowing I am being ridiculous. We were friends before we kissed, and we’ll be friends after we sleep together. Case closed.
“I love that dress on you!” Macy exclaims.
I glance in the full-length mirror, taking in the rose-gold, embellished, lace-embroidered, illusion gown with a low vee in the front that is flattering yet classy. The lace hugs my curves on top but flutters beautifully at the bottom.
“Oh, look! There’s a matching scarf to drape over your shoulders.” Macy picks up the piece that fell to the floor and hands it to me.
“I love this,” I say, smoothing a hand over my hip.
I’ll make a statement in this gown while keeping in style and not give Hudson’s parents anything to complain about. Other than my lack of pedigree, I think wryly.
