Page 46 of Wedding or Not

I’ve never been a stylish person. I’ve never been sexy or striking or elegant or made for high fashion. I grew up with Aunt Grace’s boho style being my ideal of women’s fashion, so I’ve always gravitated toward soft, pretty clothes whether they’re trendy or not.

And this dress somehow, miraculously, manages to be both fashionable and exactly like me.

“This is it!” Natalie announces. “Oh my God, it’s absolutely perfect!”

“Come out and show us!”

At Sasha’s admonition, I do just that, smoothing down the flounces on the skirt as I step out.

The squeals I’m greeted with confirm my and Natalie’s conclusion.

This is exactly the dress for me.

“I can’t believe how perfect it is for you,” Sasha says, fiddling with the neckline in a way that would have been entirely inappropriate had I not been in the middle of a dress fitting. “It even fits perfectly.”

Because I’m slim and don’t have a lot of curves, it’s always been easy to find clothes that fit me. Maybe sometimes I wish I had a sexier figure, but I try not to dwell on it.

I turn around to face Aunt Grace.

She’s put down her knitting and is standing up as she gazes at me. Her face tightens briefly with what looks like emotion. “This one is you.”

Then she steps over and takes my head in her hand so she can kiss my cheek, murmuring as she does, “I wish your mom could be here right now.”

Damn it.

I tear up too.

CHAPTER 15

I haven’t been to this seafood house for at least five years.

It’s near Baltimore and has a laid-back atmosphere with nautical decor and a steady stream of customers from lunchtime on.

The seafood is better than average, and the restaurant’s reputation in the area is good.

It’s an excellent choice for my one public date with Wes this week.

Other than the occasional run-in at Rooster’s or in the garden, we haven’t seen much of each other in the week since the proposal.

I’ve been busy every day, dealing with the renewed influx of interest in Blossom Park and scheduling publicity with Natalie. But I haven’t hung out with Wes intentionally.

It was his idea.

I was all ready to make repeated appearances with him, but he suggested playing it cool. He said if we were a real couple, we wouldn’t want to live out our relationship in public, so it will be more believable if we schedule one date a week and otherwise avoid the cameras.

I’ve been talking myself out of being hurt by the suggestion.

It does make sense. And I can hardly blame him for not wanting to devote his whole life to this ridiculous farce.

Just because I’ve been looking forward to our time together doesn’t mean he is too.

After all, he was the one who wanted to halt our “chemistry.”

Maybe his chemistry with me isn’t as strong as mine with him.

Whatever.

It’s not a big deal.