Page 43 of A Little Bit Engaged
The car door opened.
Her cell phone flew out of her hand.
“Sorry I startled you.” Rizzo picked up the phone. “They’re ready for you inside.”
She got out of the car, and he handed the phone to her. “Thanks.”
The message from her dad was illuminated on the screen. Had Rizzo read the text? She hoped not. Nothing in his expression had changed, so he most likely hadn’t.
Rizzo led her inside to where Sariah was waiting. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”
Cara nodded, not trusting her voice. At least someone was on her side. Though he was being paid to be. A part of her thought about calling Geoff and Cassie, but there wasn’t time with Cara’s appointment.
“We’ll take good care of her.” Sariah focused on Cara. “Ready to talk wedding gowns?”
She nodded, even though she would rather be in bed under her comforter curled in the fetal position. But for Brody, she would put on her big-girl panties, ignore her aching heart, and do this. At this rate, he and Loki might be the only family she had left when the pretend engagement ended.
“How are you feeling?” Sariah asked.
The question was not unexpected. Rizzo had asked her the same thing on the drive over. Cara thought she’d looked all right when she left the condo this morning. Maybe not.
She forced a smile. “Hanging in there under the circumstances.”
“I hope making wedding plans will help you feel better.”
“I’m sure it will.” She tried to sound upbeat but wasn’t sure if she succeeded.
Letting her bad mood affect others wouldn’t be good, but she still found herself fighting tears over her parents’ texts. Threats from unknown strangers were nothing compared to what her parents had written.
Sariah led her upstairs to an open door. “This is our dress salon. Have fun with Hannah.”
Cara entered, hoping she would. She needed something to take her mind off what was happening.
The room was warm and welcoming with a soft, feminine décor—the definition of bridal. A floral scent lingered in the air. Potpourri, perhaps? Sachets could be hidden amongst the silk, satin, and tulle arranged more like decoration than fabric bolts.
A beautiful woman with flowing black hair greeted her. The staff was always smiling, and Cara wished their happiness was contagious. “Hi. I’m Hannah Yee. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Cara forced her attention off the framed squares of white fabric, appliques, and lace on the wall. “Sorry I’m late.”
“No worries. I’m happy you made it.” Hannah’s brown eyes twinkled with anticipation. “We know you have a lot going on right now.”
Nodding, Cara had no idea how anyone in the limelight put up with the public intrusion or the slams on social media. Brody and Caitlin could take stardom. Cara wanted no part of it. “Thanks for understanding.”
“We’re here to make your life easier, not add complications.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“It’s easy to get worked up for wedding planning, and especially for your big day. But here at the Bay View House, we take care of everything so the bride can enjoy herself.”
“That’s why my friend loved getting married here. She didn’t have to think about anything except saying I do in the garden.”
Hannah rubbed her hands together. “That’s what we love to hear from our brides.”
The dress designer’s eagerness made Cara feel not only like a liar—which she was—but also unappreciative. This was the one appointment Cara had wanted to skip. Food from a canceled wedding could be donated to homeless shelters. Flowers could be delivered to nursing homes and hospitals. Gifts could be returned to stores. What would she do with a wedding dress she would never wear?
“Cara?” Hannah asked.
“Sorry.” Cara glanced at Hannah. “Lost in my own thoughts. This is happening so fast. Which is what we want,” she added.
