Rock Star's Ballad (White Mist Series Book 3) (24 page)

“Not a good idea, honey,” Johnny said gently.
 

Bethany looked confused. “What are you doing here?”

“Demi’s ex stalked her to Misty Lake so Johnny’s being overprotective and stalking her instead,” Regan said bluntly and Johnny scowled at her. “Can we do anything to help you?”

“No, I can handle it.”

“We’re not saying you can’t,” Demi said carefully, “but we want to help. You don’t have to do all of this alone.”

Bethany shook her head. “That’s really sweet, but I’m okay. I’m sorry I’m late. I have a bride coming in twenty minutes.”

Bethany walked into the back room and they looked at each other.
 

“She acts all sweet and shy, but she’s a freaking hell cat,” Regan observed.
 

“Look who’s talking,” Johnny muttered. “Brooks texted me that you were sick last night. You shouldn’t even be here.”

Regan glared at him. “I’m fine and Brooks needs to mind his own business!”

“You are his business.”

“Don’t tell me what I am!” Regan stomped into the back room.
 

“Everybody’s a bit touchy today, hmm?” Demi said with a grin. Apparently, they all had hard reality checks after having fun at the lake.
 

“Regan said I can’t go in the back because I’m distracting. Maybe I can help Bethany with her appointment.”

Demi wondered whether the unknown bride would be thrilled or terrified to have Johnny present while she selected a wedding dress. She pat him on the cheek. “You do that, babe, and stay away from Regan.”

Demi walked in the back room and found Regan and Bethany nose to nose.
 

“You shouldn’t have lied to me!” Bethany shouted.
 

“You live the life of a nun!”

“That’s my choice. You had no right to leave me stranded there.”

“Didn’t you have fun?”

“Aside from Wade asking me what I was doing there since his family didn’t invite me,” Bethany said acidly, “I was having an anxiety attack when I was assaulted by a horde of little girls who thought I was a Disney princess!”

“You should be flattered!” Regan retorted, “And I can’t believe Wade said that to you.”

“Well, he did. I don’t need you to drag me to parties. I can take care of myself,” Bethany snapped and stalked into the shop.
 

“She told you off,” Demi said with a grin. “I like her more every day.”

Regan bared her teeth. “Whatever.”

They settled in the office and slipped back into figures and paperwork. They weren’t at it long before a woman’s scream pierced the air. They ran out of the back room and found a limp woman in Johnny’s arms, face covered by a flop of hair. Bethany looked incensed and glared at Johnny who set the woman on a couch. The woman’s entourage didn’t seem too upset about their companion, they were all staring goggly eyed at Johnny.
 

“What’s going on?” Regan asked, moving through the throng to check if the woman was breathing.
 

“He scared her,” Bethany accused.
 

“He what?” Demi asked, frowning.
 

“I greeted the bride,” Bethany pointed at the unconscious woman, “and he came out from behind a rack and smiled at her. She screamed and fainted.”

“I walked forward, smiled and she fainted,” Johnny said.
 

“Your smile scared her,” Bethany said.
 

Regan moved the hair off the woman’s face and Demi rushed forward.
 

“That’s Mandy!”

“Who?”

Mandy stirred on the couch and fluttered her lashes. “I had the best dream.”

“It’s not a dream,” one of the entourage said.
 

Mandy pushed up from the couch and saw Demi first. “Demi, what are you—?” Then she saw Johnny and knocked Regan backwards when she leapt up, shrieking and clapping her hands. “Oh my God, its
Johnny Bentley
!”

“He carried you to the couch,” one of her friends said weakly.
 

Mandy waved a hand in front of her face as tears gathered in her eyes. “Did anyone record it?”

The entourage all shook their heads and didn’t move their eyes from Johnny who looked completely at ease being the center of attention.
 

“You got engaged?” Demi asked.
 

Mandy snapped out of her trance and looked from Demi to Johnny and back again. “So it’s true? You’re together?” Johnny smiled and Mandy put a hand over her heaving chest and began to cry. “Oh my God, he saw you in the audience and just
knew
? I’m gonna cry!”

“You
are
crying,” Regan said tartly and pressed a hand over her stomach.
 

“Regan, what’s wrong?” Demi asked.
 

She took a deep breath. “Nothing. Are we done here?”

“You all know each other?” Bethany asked, rubbing her temples.
 

“We met at Johnny’s concert,” Demi said.
 

“What are the chances?” Regan growled and then narrowed her eyes at Mandy. “You’re not from White Mist.”

“No, we live in Chicago,” one of the women said.
 

“Well, what are you doing here?” Demi asked.
 

The entourage pointed limp hands at Johnny.
 

“We came to White Mist to see if we could see Johnny Bentley or Trey Phoenix,” Mandy explained as she wiped away her tears. “We have family that lives about two hours from here and since my boyfriend popped the question right before we left, we thought we’d look at wedding dresses while we’re here. This is, like, a miracle!”

Regan tapped one heel. “So, you’re groupies.”

“We’re Bentley Women!”
 

Johnny began to laugh and walked over to Mandy and gave her a hug. Demi was worried Mandy would faint again, but she stayed conscious as she stared up at her idol.
 

“You gave Demi the shirt?” Johnny asked and Mandy lit up.
 

“I did! Did you like it?”

“Sure did,” Johnny drawled and winked at Demi who rolled her eyes.
 

“What kind of dress are you looking for?” Bethany butted in.
 

“Huh?” Mandy said absently.
 

Johnny took one look at Bethany’s face and shook Mandy lightly. “You gotta focus now. What’s your fiancés name?”

“Fiancé? Oh, Neil.”

“Neil what?”

“Neil Workus.”

Johnny drew back. “The Vodka guy?”

Mandy hopped up and down. “Yeah! He’s a sweetie.”

“He pampers her,” one of the entourage said.
 

“She thinks she’s a princess,” another muttered.
 

“You want to see something?” Regan piped up.
 

“Is Trey Phoenix here?” Mandy shrieked.
 

“Something better.” Regan gave Johnny a hard look and jerked her head at the back room.

Bethany was alarmed. “Regan, what are you doing?”

Regan led everyone into the work room. Mandy gasped when she saw Bethany’s gown on the mannequin. She rushed forward and ran reverent hands over the shimmering skirt. Her entourage completely forgot about Johnny and crowded around.

“Is it a Vera?”

“Who’s the designer?”

Bethany looked like she was going to explode.
 

“The designer’s right here,” Regan said helpfully and they all turned.
 

“Who?”

“This is Bethany London,” Regan said with a grand flourish of her hands.
 

Mandy frowned. “I thought you just sold dresses, I didn’t know you were a designer.”

“I’m not—” Bethany began, but Regan elbowed her in the ribs.
 

Mandy grasped both of Bethany’s hands in hers. “Can I try it on?”

Bethany looked like she was going to be sick. “Of course.”

While Bethany and Mandy went into the fitting room, the entourage settled in the sitting area. The women eyed Johnny as if he were an expensive car, leaning forward to smell and admire every inch, but very aware of the fact that he wasn’t theirs. Johnny’s eyes were on Demi who had no idea what to make of all this. She could see that Johnny was used to this reaction from women, but he was monitoring her closely. Demi was surprised to find that she was amused rather than irritated.

The curtains whipped open and there were soft gasps and then utter silence. The gown fit Mandy like a glove. Her friends got to their feet, hands over mouths, tears pouring from their eyes. Bethany led Mandy over to the pedestal in front of the mirrors and flared out the veil and ran a hand over the skirt. For a moment, her face was pained and then she took a deep breath. “You look gorgeous.”

“It’s the one,” Mandy whispered.
 

“Neil is gonna
die
!”

The entourage gathered around Mandy and hugged one another, squealing and crying.
 

Regan sidled up beside Bethany. “How much is it?”

“I don’t know!” Bethany hissed. “I wasn’t planning to sell it.”

“How much does Richie sell her gowns for?”

“She’s a designer, I’m
not
!” Bethany said through gritted teeth.
 

Regan made her way between the women and put an arm around Mandy’s waist. She softened her face and beamed at the bride.
 

“It’s a couture wedding gown,” Regan said solemnly.
 

“Even better,” Mandy was glowing. “Money’s not an issue. I get what I want.”

“Great to hear,” Regan said. “It’s eight thousand.”
 

Bethany’s mouth dropped open. She started towards Regan with murderous intent until Mandy’s next words stopped her in her tracks.

“Sold!” Mandy squealed. “How long will the alterations take?”

Bethany’s hands twitched. “I-I don’t know. Um, when’s the wedding?”

“It’s in four weeks.”

“F-four weeks?” she squeaked.
 

“Neil’s mother has stage four cancer and we want her to see us get married,” Mandy said and brushed away tears. “Everything’s happening so fast and we almost cancelled this trip but he told me to take a breather and see my cousin.” She took a deep, gasping breath. “I’m so glad we came! It’s all because of you, Johnny Bentley! This is all meant to be.”

“Finally, you’re good for something,” Regan muttered to Johnny who grinned.
 

***

“You had no right!” Bethany shouted.
 

It had been a long day dealing with Mandy and her entourage. It taxed them all to the limit. Mandy asked Bethany if she could make gowns for all
eight
of her bridesmaids. Bethany nearly passed out. Regan, who was familiar with the pricing from looking at the invoices stepped in to discuss cost and delivery. Mandy made a stipulation that Bethany had to fly to Chicago to deliver the dresses since there would be no time for a second fitting. Mandy insisted on taking them to lunch and then followed them back to the store where they congregated on the couches and listened to Johnny talk and sing a capella. They said heartfelt goodbyes to the Bentley Women at closing. It took less than a minute after closing the front doors for Bethany to confront Regan.
 

“What are you going to do? Spend months creating gowns that no one will ever see or wear?” Regan shot back.
 

“That’s none of your business! This was a mistake. You’re fired!”
 

Regan sneered at Bethany. “I un-fire myself.”

“You can’t do that!”

“Yeah, I can. And you know why, Bethany? Because you’re too talented to live in the closet. Anyone who looks at your work can see it. You know what women want, what looks good on their bodies. You can make their dreams come true! You can take this store to the next level. You feel me?”

Demi ran her hand up and down Bethany’s rigid back.
 

“I can help you, Bethany, but you gotta let me in.” Regan softened her voice. “You may not have the credentials of a designer, but you don’t need them. You just made a sale that would make Tyra Richie jealous.”

“Have you seen the shop? You can’t sell an eight thousand dollar gown in a rundown place like this!”

“What does the store have to do with the dress?” Regan asked with a frown.

“Maybe Mandy will change her mind,” Bethany said, sounding hopeful.

“Fat chance.”

“You can do this,” Demi said and gripped her shoulders.
 

“I have a lot of work to do,” Bethany said dazedly.
 

“Better get to it,” Regan advised.
 

Chapter Twelve

“You helped Bethany sell more dresses this week than she has in two months,” Demi said as they lounged on the couch with beer and pizza.

It was Friday night and they were both exhausted. They walked into Ever After
on Tuesday morning to the sound of the phone ringing. Bethany was already there and freaking out.
 

“Mandy posted a picture of her entourage and
you
on her Facebook and tagged the store!” Bethany grasped handfuls of Johnny’s shirt and shook him. “The picture said, ‘Ever After, where dreams come true’ and now everyone thinks you’re a regular fixture at my store and want to book appointments when you’ll be here!”

Johnny shrugged. “Okay.”

Bethany looked like she wanted to pull her hair out. “No, you don’t get it. I have women traveling from New York
next year
that want to book. They think you’re my mascot or something.” She paced from wall to wall in the work room. “Everyone’s building this fairytale around Ever After since Mandy raved about her dress.”

“This is a good thing, right?” Johnny asked.
 

“Not when they expect you to be here for every appointment!” Bethany wailed. “And I have a decent inventory, but its nothing out of the ordinary!”

Johnny stepped in front of Bethany and braced his hands on her shoulders. “Bethany, breathe. I am going to be here this week, so if the women want me around for their fitting, I can do that. For future appointments, you can’t promise I’ll be here but if I’m in town, I’ll swing by whenever I can.”