Thrill Me (Fool's Gold #18)(38)

She grinned and texted him back. I’m trying on bridesmaid dresses for Phoebe’s wedding. I’d invite you to drop in, but all this lace would turn you into a woman.

A few seconds later, he responded. Neither of us wants that. What if I’m prettier than you?

She laughed. I don’t see that as the bigger problem. She paused for a second, then impulsively asked, Want to be my plus-one for the wedding?

Will I like the dress?

She laughed again. Pretty sure you will.

Then I’m in.

She heard Madeline walk by and dropped her phone into her bag, then went back to the viewing area to wait for Phoebe.

Her friend came out a few seconds later. Maya sighed. “Wow,” she said. “Just wow.”

Phoebe bit her lower lip. “You like it?”

“I love it.”

The gown was simple, with a wrap bodice, like Maya’s. But instead of the slim skirt, Phoebe’s dress billowed out in a traditional ball gown style. There were embellishments on the straps and at the waist, along with a beautiful sheer overlay on the full skirt.

“Mermaid gowns are the big thing right now, but I’m too short. I think this style suits me better.”

Maya nodded. “It’s perfect on you.”

Phoebe stepped up on the platform and turned toward the mirrors. Maya watched her, delighted with the dress and her friend’s obvious happiness.

Madeline had pinned up Phoebe’s brown hair and secured it with a few combs. She walked in with several veils draped over her arm.

“Don’t you love it?” she asked as she handed the veils to Maya, then got on the platform and smoothed out the skirt. “The chapel-length train is perfect. You’re that sexy combination of petite and curvy. This dress accentuates all the good stuff. You look like a princess.”

Maya nodded. “Zane is going to be overwhelmed.”

“I like that,” Phoebe said shyly. “He overwhelms me all the time.”

Madeline worked her magic with the clips, making the exquisite gown fit even better. She then chose one of the veils.

“This one is my favorite,” she said, securing it into place. “You wear it down. There’s no piece to cover the face, but that’s more popular these days. The embellishments match what’s going on with your dress, which will be pretty.”

She fluffed the veil, then stepped back.

Maya smiled. “It’s beautiful.”

“I like it a lot,” Phoebe said.

Madeline didn’t look convinced. “Hmm, this isn’t the look I was going for. You know, I have another one in the back. I special ordered it, then the bride picked something else because it wasn’t the one for her. I’ve been saving it for the right dress and bride. I’m thinking it might be you. Hold on. It’s gonna take me a second to find it.”

Madeline hurried to the rear of the store and went into the storeroom. Maya walked toward the mirror.

“You’re dazzling,” she told her friend.

Phoebe nodded, then surprised her by wiping away tears.

Maya stepped up next to her. “What’s wrong?”

Phoebe swallowed. “I miss my mom. I know it’s silly. It’s been years, right? I don’t remember much about her at all. So it’s the concept, not the person. But I wish she was here, to help me buy my dress and to see me get married.”

Maya reached for her friend and hugged her. “It’s not silly. Of course you miss her.”

Phoebe shook a little as she fought tears. “I guess it’s all the emotion.”

“Sure, and the tradition of what you’re doing. You love your parents. Just because they’re gone doesn’t mean you stop loving them.”

Phoebe nodded. “Thanks. I know I’m going to have a new family now. With you and Zane and Chase. And I’ll have kids. So it’s not like she’s gone forever. She’ll be part of her grandchildren.”

“She will,” Maya promised, understanding Phoebe’s pain intellectually if not viscerally. Her mother was gone, too, and Maya couldn’t begin to imagine missing her. But her relationship with her mother had been different from that of Phoebe’s with her own mom.

It was like the way Maya felt about the town. Fool’s Gold had taken her in and encouraged her. Without the support of her friends and teachers, she wasn’t sure she would have found the courage to go after her dreams. To make it to college, not to mention pay for it. She still didn’t know who had funded her scholarship, but that wasn’t the point. She’d been nurtured, and when she left, she’d missed the support. Phoebe had been loved by her mother, so now, getting married, she missed her.

“You’re good to me,” Phoebe said, straightening. “Thank you.”

“You’re my best friend. You couldn’t escape me if you tried.”

CHAPTER NINE

“THANKS,” AIDAN SAID GRUDGINGLY. “I owe you.”

Del waved off the words. “I’m happy to help.”

Aidan shoved his hands into his jeans front pockets. “Two of my guys are out sick with whatever’s going around, and Rick’s still recovering from falling off the mountain. Mom can usually fill in, but she’s not feeling well, either.”

“Like I said, it’s no big deal.”