Left to Love (The Next Door Boys) (6 page)

She laughed. “I’ll work on that.”

“When’s the wedding?” I asked.

“Two months.” She smiled. “I had a backup dress, but I’m so happy you’ll be able to do this instead.”

I sat down next to the bag of fabric and lace they’d brought to me to make the dress. The original dress was laid out on the couch on the other side of me. I checked back and forth with my measuring tape to make sure that I had enough of everything I needed.

“So, tell me about the lucky guy,” I said as I continued to take stock.

She lit up. “Oh, he’s gorgeous and talented, and I’m so excited!”

“Well, good. You should be.” I pulled out the lace to take measurements on that. “What does he do?”

“He just finished his first film. We’ll be living in LA.” I knew. Even before I asked, I knew.

“What’s his name?”

“Noah Watson.”

I laughed. How on earth could that be possible? The odds…

“What’s funny?” she asked. “Do you know him?”

“You could say that.” I realized I probably sounded rude. “I’m sorry. Noah and I dated for a while.” The truth was that Noah was a crazy whirlwind of a relationship that had happened so fast I’d almost made the mistake of telling him yes when he’d asked me to marry him. His parting words had cut deep.
Do you have any idea what you’re turning down here, Leigh? I’m about to start a career of a lifetime, and I wanted to take you with me. Do you know what a big sacrifice it is for a man to marry someone who will never be able to have children? One day you’ll see my face somewhere, and you’ll be sorry…

“Oh. You’re
that
Leigh.” She sat back and folded her arms.

“I’ve come up then?” I tried to keep my tone light.

“Yeah. He said you weren’t good for him. That he got really off-track when you were together.”

“What?” I almost dropped my notebook.
He
was the one who had sidetracked
me
, not the other way around. I tried to hide my irritation. Five thousand dollars was a lot of money.

“That’s what he said.” She looked straight at me. She was in love. She wouldn’t believe a thing I told her. Besides, looking her up and down, they were probably perfect for one another.

“I didn’t end things well with him,” I said. That at least was the truth. “I have no problems doing your dress, and it’ll be up to you if you want to tell him who’s doing it or not.”

She looked thoughtful. “Well, it doesn’t bother me.”

“Perfect.” I stood up, finished with my checking and re-checking. “I’ll call you in a week for your first fitting.”

“That fast?” She eyes widened, our Noah conversation forgotten.

“That fast,” I answered.

“Cool.”

I knew I had her then. I didn’t know if she’d say anything to Noah or not. I was glad that someone appreciated his qualities. Though, the further I got from that relationship, the more I felt used by it. I didn’t feel as bad for telling Noah I couldn’t marry him as I once had.

- - -

“You will never guess whose wedding dress I’m doing,” I said to Brian as soon as he walked in the door.

“Somebody famous?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Noah’s fiancé.” Now that the shock had worn off, it was a bit hysterical.

Brian stopped, stunned. “Why would you do that?”

“Because she’s paying me five thousand dollars to do it. Obviously.” I tried to tease.

“But aren’t you… or won’t you…” His forehead got all wrinkly as he watched me.

“What? I’m not going to see him. This is the bride’s thing. It’s not like I’m dressing
Noah
. I wouldn’t do that.” I shook my head.

“It just seems weird, that’s all.” Brian still looked upset. I’d expected him to react the way that I had.

“How could this
possibly
bother you?”

“I don’t know. I feel like that guy almost took you from me and the idea that you’re
part of his life is just weird…
”

“Part of his
life
? Like making a dress for the woman he’s going to
marry
?” I couldn’t believe Brian’s reaction.

He opened his computer and shrugged without looking at me.

“You cannot
possibly
be mad over this.” I had cause to be frustrated with him, not the other way around.

He sighed. “I’m not
mad
.”

“Then what would you call it?” I crossed my arms.

“I just can’t believe you would take on the job that’s all.” He still sounded irritated.

“No way, Brian.” I shook my head. “You do not get to be annoyed at me over this. It’s my job. I’m working really hard not to be mad because I feel like you’re shutting me out of the process of me becoming part of the family that you and Nathan already have. I feel like you somehow don’t trust me with him or something, or don’t want to work with me, and I don’t understand why, but
I’ve been really good about it.

“
I’ve been telling myself over and over that you just want to handle things on your own, and I should just let you. But watching my new husband drive away in a car with
his
son to visit
his
ex wife a few minutes after being left out of a meeting with my dad, and a few days after we got married, about killed me!” It all came out in a rush.

“Leigh, I don’t even know what to say.” Brian looked like he was shutting down in the sense that anything we talked about now wouldn’t solve anything.

“I was just making the point that shutting me out of that process is way worse than me making a dress so Noah can marry
someone
else
!” I stood up and walked back to our office to check emails and look over my shop.

I heard Nathan come in from school but kept to the office. I came out around dinnertime and started dinner. Brian still sat at his computer, and Nathan colored in the living room.

“I’m sorry, Leigh.”

“About what?” I felt annoyed, and I knew it showed in my voice.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, are you sorry for overreacting about me sewing a dress, or are you sorry about keeping me from feeling like a part of your family, or both?” I couldn’t believe that just came out of my mouth. I pulled the marinated stir-fry ingredients out of the fridge.

“Leigh, you’re being completely unfair.” His voice was calm but there was something different about his eyes. They looked hard. I’d upset him.

“Then you’re not ready to apologize, and neither am I. If I can find something I need to apologize for, that is.” I turned to the stove and pulled out a frying pan. Now my jaw had to clench up to keep from crying. I kept my position, facing away from him.

Brian let a deep breath out and rubbed his hands over his face. I’d admit it, I’d taken the low road, but it looked like I’d made my point.

“Fine,” Brian said.

I turned to face him.

He frowned, still unhappy. “I’m sorry for overreacting about the dress. As for the rest of it? It’s
my
mess. I should be one to deal with it. How could you possibly help where Amanda is involved?”

“Apology accepted for the first and I’m still…” I tried to keep my same aloof attitude, but I couldn’t. Anything to do with Nathan affected me too much. I looked over at his small body on the couch, and had to turn back to the stove. I could feel my chin shaking in the beginnings of tears over something I felt completely helpless about.

Brian came up behind me and put his arms around my waist. “Please, Leigh.
I don’t want to argue with you. It feels horrible.”
             

I sighed. “It’s just not really fixed, Brian. I still feel left out, and you still want it that way.” I wiped my cheeks.

“I don’t want you to feel left out,” he said. “I feel like you married a mess, and I want to clean it up a little.”

“That explanation doesn’t change how I feel.” I wanted to relax into his arms, but I couldn’t. He was right. Arguing felt horrible.

“I’m sorry.” He wasn’t going to change his mind. Amanda would be something that I was left out of. Brian and I cooked in silence. I dished the food onto plates and we ate in front of the TV.

SIX

I pulled out Amber’s dress. The main parts were complete—the trimmings, buttons and that kind of thing would take a while—but I felt good about what I’d accomplished. I knew Noah well enough to know he’d love it. It would appeal to his over-dramatic sensibilities.

“I’m here!” Amber knocked on my door as she walked into my living room.

“Well, let’s get you dressed and see where we’re at.” Her eyes went from me, and then over to Josie, one of the young women from church who’d shown up to help.

“She’s my very talented apprentice,” I explained.

“I might be just a wee bit smaller.” Amber tried to indicate a small amount with her fingers.

“I told you not to do that.” Taking in a dress with this much detail would not be an easy feat.

“I know, but Noah’s always working out and staying trim. I just want to make sure we’re even.”

I nodded. I remembered worrying about the same thing when I was with Noah.

“Let’s get this on you.” I held the dress out.

She stripped down without a thought and stepped into her gown. The full-length mirror in the living room had been moved to a good spot, alone on the wall, just for this.

“Oh my gosh.” Her hand came to her mouth. “If you could see the picture of my great-grandmother,
you’d be so thrilled with your work!” She turned from side to side, sucking in her already flat stomach and grinning like she should be.

“Well, even without the picture, I’m pretty pleased with myself.”
The replica was spot on
. “Hold still.” I walked around her, pulling fabric in and pinning where necessary.

“Josie, could you start on the hem? Make sure you start after I do, so the bottom is even.” Josie just nodded and began her task. Amber had lost less than a half-inch. I wasn’t worried about it. Once I got the bodice reasonably fitted, I started helping Josie with the hem. I was lost in concentration when I heard a phone ring.