The Christmas Pact(19)

“We work for the same company, different divisions.”

“Ah, an office romance.”

“Sort of, I guess. But nevertheless, I’m here. And he’s a great guy.”

“Oh, I know,” she assured me.

Trying to change the subject from my relationship with Kennedy, I asked, “Is your gown from here?”

“Of course. Where else?” She grinned. “I’m actually here for my final fitting. Suzanne figured that since she was coming here anyway to meet you, we might as well do that now instead of waiting until tomorrow morning.” She looked down at my dress. “That plum is a great color on you, by the way.”

“Thanks. I think this is the one. I don’t think I even need to try on the others. I love it so much.”

“I couldn’t agree more. It fits you perfectly.” Excitement filled her eyes. “Wanna see my dress?”

“Um, sure. I’d love to.”

“Okay. Be right back!”

Felicity disappeared with Suzanne into a backroom. I made my way over to the long rack of wedding gowns and stopped at one in particular that I absolutely loved. Oh, yes, this would be the one I’d pick if it were my big day. A simple lace gown, trumpet style, strapless, and just a hint of sparkle. My heart felt heavy because at that moment I thought of Frankie, and how he’d planned to propose but never got the chance.

I snapped out of my sad thoughts, blinking back an unexpected tear just as Felicity floated back into the room holding out the sides of her Cinderella-style ball gown with a huge smile on her face.

“Oh my gosh. You look gorgeous, like a princess,” I said as she stepped onto the raised platform in front of the mirror, even though the huge tulle skirt wasn’t my style at all.

Suzanne noticed my hand still on the dress I’d been admiring. “You like that one? Good choice.”

“I do.”

“That’s actually my original design. I don’t design all of these, but that one is custom. I made it for a wedding that never ended up happening, unfortunately.”

“Oh, so it’s cursed? It’s perfect for me, then,” I laughed.

“Want to try it on?”

“Oh, I shouldn’t.”

“Come on, Riley!” Felicity said. “It’ll be fun.”

I didn’t take much convincing. It really was a gorgeous gown. I shrugged and removed it from the rack. “Okay!”

After heading back to the dressing room and slipping it on, I realized that the back was like a corset and needed to be cinched and tied. I was going to need some help.

When I emerged, Suzanne said, “Oh, how lovely. That dress looks like it was made for you, Riley!”

Felicity came around behind me. “Here, let me,” she said as she began lacing up the back of the bodice.

The boutique phone rang and Suzanne disappeared to answer it.

As Felicity continued to work on the ties, she said, “I’m really glad you’re here, Riley.”

“Thank you. I’m glad to be here.”

“We weren’t sure Kennedy would show up at all. Then suddenly he was on his way home and agreed to be in the wedding party. It’s been a long road getting to where we can talk again. A part of me will always love him, just not in the same way, of course.”

I blinked in confusion. “The same way?”

Her face froze as her eyes met mine in the mirror. “Kennedy...told you about our history, right?”

I swallowed. “I’m afraid not.”

“Shit. I just assumed...”

I turned to face her. “What history?”

“Kennedy and I were together, before I fell in love with Bradley.”

“Bradley. His brother.” The wheels in my head turned so fast, I felt lightheaded. “Wait. You’re...the one he didn’t become Neil Armstrong for?”

She frowned, looking confused. .”Excuse me?”

“The one he was with when he turned down the space program?”

“Oh. Yeah. We were together then.” She seemed to realize her error in divulging this to me. “Crap. If he hasn’t told you, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No, I’m glad you did.”

“Maybe don’t mention we had this talk?”

“I’ll let him tell me himself, in his own time. If he wants me to know.”

I fussed with my neckline, somehow feeling like it was choking me, even though it wasn’t anywhere near my neck. This new information had me reeling.

Kennedy’s ex left him…for his brother.

She was marrying him tomorrow.

And Kennedy was in the wedding.

This explained a lot, why he hadn’t been home in so long.

Just as Suzanne returned, the bell at the door dinged. All of our heads turned to him at the same time.

Kennedy’s eyes went wide as he took in the surreal sight of two girls and two gowns.





Riley



“You might want to slow down.”

Kennedy lifted what had to be his fourth drink in the hour since we’d arrived at the rehearsal dinner, and downed every last drop before tilting the glass toward me. “You might want to mind your own business.”

I sighed. Ever since the boutique this afternoon, Kennedy had changed. He’d morphed back into the pompous ass I’d first met in our email exchanges, rather than the sweet man I’d been getting to know little by little. When I’d tried to talk to him about Felicity, opening the door to let him tell me what had gone down with her and his brother, he’d shut me down. So now there was a giant elephant in the room, at least for me—I didn’t let on that I knew, but he also didn’t volunteer anything.