Page 9 of Disavowed

“The gown is amazing.” She leaned down to smooth out the long, flowing skirt. “You look better than Barbie did when she married Ken.”

As Alex laughed, Daisy reexamined the ivory Oleg Cassini wedding gown with the same critical eye she’d give any arrangement before it walked out the door of her Manhattan flower shop.

The dress was a classic silk A-line with richly textured, hand-beaded, corded lace appliqués on the bodice. Slim straps set off Alex’s delicate shoulders, and a sweetheart neckline dipped down just enough to expose a tasteful amount of cleavage.

“The way that dress hugs your body, it’s a good thing Gray won’t see it before the wedding.” She bobbed her eyebrows. “Or you guys might not make it to the altar.”

Alex gasped as she smacked Daisy’s shoulder. “It’s not that low cut.” Her eyes widened. “Is it?”

“Relax.” Daisy laughed. “It’s the perfect blend of beautiful, sweet, and sexy. I only meant that when he sees you walking down the aisle his man-brain will be torn between how elegant and exquisite you look and how much he wants to tear that dress off you so the honeymoon can get rolling.”

“You’re sure?” A slight wrinkle marred Alex’s forehead.

“Positive.” She grabbed one more bud of baby’s breath and tucked it into Alex’s hair. When it came to all things floral, Daisy was a perfectionist.

A loud pop came from the other room, followed by giggling.

Alex nodded to the open doorway that led to the chapel’s other ready room. “Sounds like Cassie, Moira, and Emily cracked into the champagne already.”

Daisy was grateful that everyone in Alex’s bridal party was such a gem. It had made her job as maid of honor that much easier. Alex’s sister-in-law-to-be, Cassie Flannery, was a woman after her own heart—full of energy and oozing warm friendship. Hopewell Springs’ Police Chief Michael Flannery’s sister, Moira, was now Daisy’s new foodie bestie, and even Alex’s twenty-something designer assistant, Emily, was fun to have around, although the girl was constantly on the make.

“You want me to get us a couple glasses?” She turned to head for the door. Though it was only ten in the morning, she could use a little liquid courage. In less than an hour, she’d have to face him again—Detective Dominick Carew. He’d been oddly absent last night at the rehearsal dinner so today would mark the first time she’d seen him in six months, and only the second time since they’d slept together a year ago.

Her insides were already clenching with an odd combination of anger, anxiety, and butterflies. The anger she totally understood. It was the other two unexpected emotions that had her stumped.

“Stay here with me.” Alex grabbed Daisy’s hand. “Moira and Cassie will bring us champagne soon enough. I asked them to give us some time alone.”

“Are you okay?” She squeezed her friend’s hand.

“Never better.” Alex sighed and got that dreamy, faraway look that told her she was thinking of Gray.

I wonder if I’ll ever feel that way about someone.

She choked down a tiny sob, covering it up by pretending to clear her throat with a tight cough.

More giggling from the adjacent room seemed to shake Alex from her dreamy reverie. “So where was I?”

“Never better,” Daisy prompted. She really was happy for Alex. If she could find even half the love and joy that her friend had with Gray, she would be beyond thrilled. If only Dom could have been more like Gray. Loving. Honorable. Loyal.

Not a chance with that guy. I sure can pick ’em.

“I have my something old from Gray’s mother.” Alex touched her fingers to the vintage hair clip studded with white cloisonné flowers and clear rhinestones that Daisy had artfully used to pin up Alex’s hair. “My something new.” Her graceful fingers skimmed the pearl and diamond necklace twinkling at her throat and the matching earrings. A gift from her fiancé. “My something borrowed,” she continued, holding up her wrist to which Daisy had clipped an exquisite antique diamond tennis bracelet intermingled with tiny pearls.

The bracelet had been Daisy’s mother’s, one of many expensive pieces her father had given her mother before they’d both died in a train derailment when she was eleven. Daisy loved the bracelet but hardly ever wore it, preferring larger more colorful statement pieces that seemed more appropriate for her size—five foot nine and busty.

“And lastly, my something blue.” Alex held up her other wrist, showing off the silver and blue charm bracelet that Alex’s eight-year-old son, Nicky, had given her.

“You’re all set. Tradition has been dutifully complied with.” And now I could really use that drink. Again, she turned to fetch them both a glass of champagne.

“Not so fast.” Alex grabbed Daisy’s arm. “I know it’s going to be hard on you today. Seeing Dom again after all this time.”

“No it won’t. I’m fine. Really.” Not. No matter how hard she tried, it was impossible to forget how badly he’d hurt her. Or how horrible it had been to wake alone in a cold bed and discover that he hadn’t even left her a note.

Noticing the concern in her friend’s eyes, she took a deep breath and smiled. “Please don’t worry about me. This is your day, and you deserve everything wonderful that’s coming to you.” A major understatement.

If it hadn’t been for Gray’s incredible bravery, Alex and her son wouldn’t be alive. Gray had saved Alex from being burned alive by a Pyramid assassin, then gotten shot in the process of saving Nicky from Alex’s ex-husband. If Gray hadn’t gotten Nicky to a doctor in time, the little guy would have died of the rare illness he suffered from. Thank God Gray had found them both. Daisy didn’t know what she would have done if she’d lost either of them.

“Thank you.” Alex gave her a sympathetic look that she knew was meant to make her feel better, but unintentionally made her feel pathetic. “You deserve the kind of happiness I found with Gray, and one day you’ll have it.”