Chapter Five
“Don’t you find this a bit ridiculous?” Kenzi stared at the racks of designer clothing, the ivy tightening around her chest once again, keeping her from drawing in the appropriate amounts of air to, you know, live.
“I find it invigorating.” Trish threw her arms out to the side as if she were inviting the entire store over for a giant group hug. Her green eyes danced. Okay, Kenzi could see what Harrison saw in Trish. She was stunning and lively and what people called a breath of fresh air. She was also a relentless morning person, which would be a perfect fit for Harrison.
Kenzi wasn’t going to get out of this shopping trip. She’d tried once already, offering Trish anything in her existing wardrobe as a viable wedding dress option—except the actual wedding dress, which shan’t be removed from the plastic garment bag. Trish would have none of her skirts, her dress slacks, or her Sunday dresses. Honestly, if it was good enough to pass muster by a priest, it should have satisfied Trish.
Alas, it was boutique shopping or bust.
Kenzi preferredbust.
She hadn’t slept a wink last night as the heaviness of what she was about to do to her family and to herself smothered her like a down comforter in the middle of a heat wave. Her family walked a tightrope of cooperation as it was; throwinganotherbetrayal into the mix could snap the rope.
Trish hooked her elbow and pulled Kenzi into the fray. “Pamela explained your aversion to wedding dresses, so I’ve brought you to one of my favorite fun and flirty stores.” She plucked at Kenzi’s cobalt-blue button-up shirt. “You’re used to dressing for business. Is this what you wear on your days off?”
“I don’t get days off.”
Tina stopped and put a hand on her hip. “Saturdays?”
“Meeting with my father’s doctors and managing his household staff.” Although the staff thing only happened if Lunette wasn’t feeling up to the task.
“Sundays?”
“Family brunch—in appropriate garden dress. Followed by church where we sit in the family pew—modesty required.”
“The 4thof July?”
“Company picnic.”
“Christmas!” Tina’s lips pursed in a self-satisfied smile.
“Formal family dinner. And by formal, I mean tulle, lace, or satin.”
Trish sighed. “Your family sounds heavenly.”
Kenzi bit her lip, knowing she was about to push a sensitive button. “Harrison doesn’t seem to mind us.”
Trish tucked her jet-black hair behind her ear. The hair didn’t really match. Well, it did in that the color was superb and the exact shade to set off her complexion, but this woman was not severe enough for black hair. She was much too bubbly and joyful. Kenzi conceded that Harrison might have a good reason for falling for Trish. However, as one who’d had family tangle with her love life and had come out worse for it, she zipped her lips.
Trish began sifting through the dresses made of stiff fabrics and silky linings. “Aside from Harrison, your family sounds like my ideal clients.”
“You would love my sisters. They are both fashionistas.”
“Is that why you don’t want a wedding dress? Are you scared you’ll pick the wrong thing? You don’t have to worry about that with me around. I’ll make sure you look stunning.”
Kenzi dropped her eyes to the floor. Her sisters had never made her feel inferior, because she chose more conservative looks for the office—and just about every other occasion. They weren’t catty by rule. In fact, they’d grown up quite civil to one another. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
Kenzi hesitated, not sure where to begin or if she could even put her fear into words. Clyde had been able to put things into words—so many of her faults were catalogued so easily by his brilliant mind. “I’m not good wife material. I’m far too independent. I don’t respect traditional roles in a marriage, and I am not soft enough to nurture children.” She rattled off some of Clyde’s favorite themes as if they were a Top 40 hit.
Trish held up a seafoam-green wrap dress. “First of all, there won’t be any children in this marriage, so that’s not something to worry about. Second, there’s no such thing as traditional roles any more—not in this country, anyway. Women support families; men change diapers. Marriage has become a partnership where each half uses their unique skills to better the whole.”
She held the green dress under Kenzi’s chin and tipped her head to the side, considering. “Third, being independent in a marriage is a good thing. Too many spouses wait for their significant other to make them happy, and they stay miserable. Be in control of your own happiness whether you’re married or not, and you’ll be fine.”
Kenzi pushed the dress away, rejecting it. “It’s fine for you to say those things.”It helps me understand why Harrison hasn’t been able to catch you in his web of ex-jock hotness and gentlemanly behavior.“And I appreciate you trying to make me feel better, but the reality is that not all men are that evolved, and giving your heart to someone means they have a say in your happiness.”
Trish narrowed her eyes and pulled out an ivory dress with a flowing skirt that draped to the floor with elegance.
