Never Far Away (The Never #2)(42)

“Are you kidding?” Kalli said. “You look phenomenal. Breath taking.”

“Yes, Megan, you look like a photo in a bridal magazine.”

“I always thought I’d want something a little more, I don’t know, formal. This looks like lingerie.”

“You’ve always told me how much Patrick likes you in lingerie.” Ella added with a smile.

“Yes, but do I want to be up in front of one hundred and fifty plus people knowing that he’s picturing me naked? I’m not sure. Plus, if the dress looks like lingerie, what am I supposed to wear on the wedding night?”

“Oh, honey. You can find something sexier than this dress. This will be the appetizer to wet his appetite.” All three girls cracked up at the sales woman’s forward comment.

“Ok,” Megan exhaled a deep breath. “It’s a definite contender, but I want to see more. I cannot commit so quickly.”

“More dresses, more choices,” Kalli said with a smile. Megan ambled back into the dressing room and Kalli turned towards Ella with a smile on her face.

“So, I have some news,” Kalli started.

“Do tell,” Ella answered, returning the giant smile across Kalli’s face.

“A couple days ago I was on set and ran to the Starbucks down the street to get coffee for the team, and I met a man.” The excitement radiating off of her friend’s face was contagious and Ella found herself nearly bouncing up and down in her seat as Kalli was.

“I repeat: Do tell!” Ella laughed.

“I was in line to order and he bumped into the back of me accidentally. He was really apologetic and grabbed my elbow to keep me from falling,” Kalli’s eyes went all glazy and she was far, far away. “Ella, when he touched me, even though it was just my arm, I swear I felt it all the way in my toes.”

“Oh my,” Ella said, understanding all too well.

“And he is very handsome, like, lose your breath handsome.”

“That’s the best kind of handsome,” Ella replied. “What is his name?”

“Scott,” she said with a deep sigh, making Ella giggle.

“Scott is a good name; I’ve never met a Scott I didn’t like.”

“You’d like him, Ella. He’s perfect.”

“So, did he just bump into you or are you guys gonna go out?”

“We exchanged phone numbers after he flirted for a few minutes and bought my coffee, and he’s texted me a few times.”

“This is all very exciting, Kalli. You haven’t dated very much since you’ve been here.”

“I know. I’m really ready to go out with him, if you catch my drift,” she said with raised eyebrows, leaning over towards Ella so that the sales women couldn’t hear her. Ella laughed out loud and then covered her mouth quickly.

“I caught your drift. Don’t worry,” she said as she gently patted Kalli’s knee.

Megan tried on upwards of ten more dresses, but none of them put the smile on her face like the satin one. She was reluctant to put a down payment on it until their mother saw her in it. They still had almost a year until the wedding, so there wasn’t a huge rush to make the decision that day.

“I will have to come back with Mom soon.”

“She’s going to love it, Megs.”

Eventually Megan came out of the dressing room in her normal clothes and sat down next to Ella to put her boots back on.

“Megan, do you think we could talk for a minute?”

“Sure, is everything ok?”

“Do you guys want me to give you a minute alone?” Kalli asked.

“No, Kalli, it’s fine, please stay and listen.” Ella took a deep breath and then looked Megan in the eyes. “Megan, Porter and I have decided to move in together.”

Kalli’s hand flew to her mouth in shock and surprise, while Megan’s face lit up with a smile.

“Really?” Megan asked. Ella nodded her head in affirmation. Suddenly Ella was being pulled into a hug and she felt Megan’s arms wrap around her. “Ella, I am so happy for you and for Porter. You guys deserve some happiness. I’ve never seen a man love a woman like he loves you.” Ella pulled back from the embrace.

“Patrick loves you, Megs,” Ella reassured her, being reminded of the conversation they shared at the beach and Megan’s ridiculous insecurities surrounding Patrick’s feelings for her.

“Of course Patrick loves me. I’m amazing. And I love him. There’s no one else in this world that I am supposed to be with and I am going to love him for the rest of my life. But Porter, well, I’ve seen Porter without you. He was only meant to live if you are beside him, Fella. He was empty, lost. He had no direction and no North without you.” Megan’s eyes misted up with tears she was trying to keep at bay. Ella had a hard time keeping her eyes dry as well.

“Well, that’s not all the news I have,” Ella said, trying to steer the conversation away from the sad, and onto the exciting.

“OK…” Megan said, drawing out the word, obviously anxious about what Ella had to say.

“We are moving to Salem so I can open another Poppy.”

“Oh my gosh! Ella that’s so amazing. You’re going to do great!” Megan pulled her into another hug.