“A designer, here? In the middle of nowhere?”
“Don’t let the location fool you. He used to live in Manhattan. His partner loved it out here, so they moved, but the people who know, know how to find him.”
They stopped in front of the window and Gabe glanced between her and the black dress that had caught her attention. The skirt was made up of lace flounces and rosettes, the belt a diamond buckle. The neckline was a sweetheart, coming low over the mannequin’s chest.
“That’s pretty.”
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
He looked at the dress again and nodded, though he didn’t understand enough about women’s fashion to make that call without seeing it on. “Did you want to look at it?”
She shook her head. “I... it’s a little too ostentatious for the wedding. I have no need of it.”
No need of it? Since when did rich people ever care whether they had need of something if they wanted it? Granted, beyond Eve’s convertible, she didn’t live that luxuriously. Her clothes and jewelry might be expensive but they were understated and elegant.
She might have said she didn’t have need of it, but she didn’t say she didn’t want it. Those were two different things. “Let’s go inside,” he said, and unlike with the ice cream shop, he didn’t wait for her to protest, merely charged inside.
The old man behind the counter looked up when they walked in. “Hello. How can I help—” He craned his neck so he could look around Gabe, squinted, and then laughed. “My God, is that Evie Chandler?”
Gabe glanced over his shoulder, surprised. Eve hadn’t said anything about knowing the proprietor personally.
His question halted, though, at the expression on her face. A smile spread over her lips, and Gabe finally realized something.
She’d smiled at him closemouthed, reserved. She was showing her teeth here, and her eyes were crinkled up. She was thrilled to see this man.
He ignored the stab of jealousy he had no right to feel and focused on her happiness.
She drifted past him. “Mr. Perez. Hello.”
The man hobbled out from behind the counter. “Come here, come here.”
They embraced while Gabe stood awkwardly behind them in the little shop. The older man pulled away and held her hands. “You’re the spitting image of your mother,” he breathed. He looked around her and gave Gabe a friendly smile. “And who’s this, your husband?”
“Ah, no.” A delicate flush touched her cheeks and she stepped aside. “This is Tony Perez. He designed some of my mother’s most cherished dresses. Mr. Perez, this is Gabe. He’s a...”
“Family friend,” he said automatically.
Mr. Perez’s dark eyes narrowed. His skin was a medium brown, and lines had been carved deep around his lips. “You look familiar.”
Gabe nodded. “I get that a lot.”
The older man snapped his fingers. “Did you used to vacation here with the Kanes?”
Unease slithered down his spine. “When I was very young, yes, sir.”
“I remember now. You used to come to the village with Robert! My cousin ran the ice cream parlor. I remember seeing you in there. Always drinking a milk shake. You were much smaller then, of course.”
His smile felt tight. “Yes, sir.”
“Good to see you again. You grew up big and strong. The Kane size rubbed off on you, eh?” The wizened little man shook his hand, then thankfully turned to Eve. “Well, what can I do for you, Eve? You need a dress? It’s been so long. It would be an honor to make a dress for Maria’s daughter.”
“Oh no. I’m—”
“You liked the dress in the window,” Gabe interjected. He wasn’t here to butt in, but he had no idea why Eve was being so shy about admitting she liked that gown. Especially when they’d come to town to buy a dress.
Mr. Perez brightened. “That one’s a little too big for you, but I could have it fit to your measurements in a couple of days. Business is slow.”
“But—”
