“Pouting about it won’t change it.”
“Fine.” I say, resigned. “I understandwhy you did it. It’s hard to reconcile it when it has to do with me.”
“Do you understand, Kate?” He cups hishands around my face, tilting it so I’m looking at him. “You’re the mostimportant thing in my world. I will do everything in my power to take care ofand protect you.”
A single tear slips down my cheek. “Now Iunderstand. I love you.”
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
I stand up, straightening my skirt andtrying to smooth out the wrinkles, but it’s linen and they’re not going away. Iglance at myself in a mirror in the far corner. “Oh, good heavens.” My mascarais smeared, my lips are swollen. To top it off, I have a serious case ofbedhead and there are red marks all down my neck. I grab my purse and pull outsome foundation and a few tissues. I tame my hair and my face looks a littlebetter, but not much. I don’t look as put together as when I got here. I’mgoing to need to go home and change before I run my errands.
“You’re beautiful.” Cole’s leaningagainst the door frame, watching me.
“Thank you, but that’s not what I’mworried about,” I say with a short laugh.
He pushes off the wall, walking over tome. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“People have eyes, and they talk.”
“Kate, we’re married.”
“Cole, we just had sex on this conferencetable. I can still see the imprint of my ass on it.”
He wraps his arms around my waist,kissing my forehead. “Come on, I’ll walk you out and keep the big, bad, scarypeople away.”
I give him a playful smack. “You better.”
We walk out and thankfully, only Keatonis in the foyer, patiently waiting. Cole gives me a kiss goodbye and heads backto work. I have Keaton take me home so I can change my clothes.
My first stop is the bridal shop. Colesent over my wedding dress to see if they could repair it. When I get there,Becca is waiting for me, looking nervous.
“They couldn’t fix the dress, couldthey?” My panic levels start to rise. My mother is going to freak out.
“I’m really sorry. They fixed the corsetand the little tears in the skirt, but they couldn’t get the black stains alongthe bottom hem out. The only way to fix it is to attach a new skirt, and by thetime you do that, you’re almost at the original cost.”
“It’s okay. My biggest problem now istelling my mother-in-law I ruined the dress she bought me.”
“There is a silver lining. Because theshop accused you of stealing the dress when you didn’t, they credited her cardand said you could have any dress you wanted. You just have to pay for anyalterations.”
“Seriously? Wow. I don’t know what tosay. Do they have another of the Jenny Lee dresses in stock?”
“Unfortunately, no. The shop would haveto order the dress you purchased and even if I put a rush on it, it wouldn’t beready by your ceremony date.”
Yikes. Well, my mother told me to getwhat I wanted. I guess I’ll pick out another dress.
“Don’t fret. I pulled a few dresses thatare very similar to the one you chose, and I also pulled this one back out.”She pulls the white chiffon and lace dress that I loved off the rack. “I evenhad the seamstress add some more lace to make cap sleeves.”
I run my hands over it. “I did love thisdress.”
“Let’s try it on.” Becca smiles at me.
If it’s possible, I love the dress evenmore than I did the first time I tried it on. Becca comes around the back ofme. “Here, I found this vintage veil.” She puts it on me.
I stare at myself in the mirror, sure I’mlooking at someone else. I glance at Becca through the mirror. “What do youthink?”
“You wear this dress, Kate. You glow init.”
“I love it. The dress is me completely.”With a few happy tears in my eyes, I say, “I’ll take it.” She measures me for afew alterations in the sleeves and to have it taken in at my hips. I make itout of the shop with no trouble.
