Waterfront Weddings (21 page)

“He happened to see you out, huh? Don’t you think it’s a little weird that he shows up all of a sudden, and now he practically lives next door?”

Summer groaned. “Seriously? I thought we’d gotten over the Jefferson hurdle years ago when I married you.”

“Is that a hint of regret I hear in your voice?”

She furrowed her brow. “Don’t be stupid. Do I need to remind you again that this whole thing—”

“What? Is all my fault?” He shook his head. “Right. And you are totally blameless. Except for the whole walking around like a robot for months, forgetting the simplest things and working sixty-hour weeks at the office. But besides all that, you’re perfect.” Luke could admit that many of their problems stemmed from him. But it had taken both of them to reach the point where they were now. The breaking point.

“I know I’m not perfect.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I know that better than anyone.”

Luke took a step toward her, but she held her hands out to stop him.

“Don’t.” Her whisper carried as much force as any yell.

He sighed. “I didn’t come here to argue. I just wanted to see you and Milo.”

“Milo is downstairs and needs to be walked. Stay as long as you like. But I’m going to dinner now.” She walked out without another word.

Luke buried his head in his hands. Summer had never rattled easily. But he could see that his presence had thrown her. Angered her even. Maybe a surprise visit hadn’t been the smartest thing. He should’ve called her last week and checked in. He should’ve kept a lid on his anger over Jefferson’s presence. He should’ve done a lot of things.

He got up and watched out the bedroom window as Summer, Mitch, and Jefferson drove away.

So maybe apologizing to Summer and getting things back to normal wouldn’t be as easy as he’d expected. He’d keep trying until he won her trust back, even if it took him forever.

Because the idea of not getting back on solid ground with Summer was too painful to even consider. And the fact that his old nemesis had somehow weaseled his way back into her life made him very uneasy.

A
shley had been replaying that kiss with Justin over and over in her mind ever since Monday. Followed quickly by the reminder that he hadn’t reached his thirtieth birthday yet and she was knocking on forty’s door. Okay, so maybe she had four years left until forty, but that didn’t seem all that comforting right now.

Summer tapped her fingers on Ashley’s desk. “I don’t think you’ve heard anything I’ve said. Are you okay?”

“Huh?” Ashley looked up to see Summer standing in front of her desk, an amused expression on her face.

“I asked you if you’re going to go with me to the new bridal boutique over on Calhoun Street. I want to officially introduce myself. Jennifer St. Claire is getting her dress and bridesmaids’ dresses there. She’s been really pleased.”

The St. Claire–Wentworth wedding was coming up in the fall. Ashley had met with Jennifer what seemed like fifty times already. She hadn’t seen the dress though. “I’d love to go with you. I wonder if they can show us Jennifer’s dress.”

“Only one way to find out. Let’s go.” Summer grabbed her purse and a binder from her desk and led the way out the door. “Are you okay though? You’ve been quiet all week.”

Ashley hadn’t been sure what to tell Summer, so she’d opted to keep her mouth shut. But it would be nice to unload it. She quickly filled her in on her outing with Justin and Colton, the cookout, and the kiss. “Why didn’t you tell me he wasn’t even thirty?” she whined.

“Honestly, I didn’t think about it. I guess I always forget that Justin is younger. He was actually one of Bobby’s friends first, but he and Luke hit it off.” Summer unlocked her SUV and climbed inside.

Ashley got into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt. “I can’t imagine continuing the relationship now.”

Summer waited for a car to pass before she pulled out of her parking space. “I think you’re silly. Justin is a great guy. Very mature for his age. And you don’t look a day over twenty-five.”

Ashley laughed. “I know he’s a great guy and all of that. But as soon as I found out his age, I felt so self-conscious. I have little laugh lines around my eyes.”

“Maybe if you look with a magnifying glass.”

“At twenty-nine, that means some of the girls he’s gone out with over the past year have probably barely been in their twenties. I can’t compete with that.”

Summer let out a huge sigh. “I can’t believe you’re this insecure. You look amazing. You’re a smart, interesting
woman
. Twentysomething girls have nothing on you.”

Ashley wanted to believe Summer. But after what happened with Brian, she couldn’t let go of the fear. “He might be happy with me for a few months until some tanned, flatbellied girl-woman saunters by and turns his head.”

Summer groaned. “What’s this really about? Because if that kiss was as good as you say, I can’t believe you’re going to let a little something like age keep you away from him.” She pulled into the parking lot at the boutique.

“Just some stuff I’ve gone through.” Ashley sighed. “I agreed to go out with him again this weekend, but I’m thinking of canceling.”

Summer turned off the engine and looked at Ashley. “Does he know how old you are?”

Ashley shook her head. “No. I don’t want him to know.”

“I can guarantee you that he doesn’t care if you’re a few years older than him. He might even find you more attractive.” Summer grinned. “You never know.”

Ashley followed her into the store. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Because her self-confidence couldn’t take it if the opposite was true.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Madelyn Ashworth said. “Jennifer has said such wonderful things about Summer Weddings.” She smiled.

“Likewise,” Summer said. “We wanted to come over and introduce ourselves and take a look around your beautiful shop.”

Madelyn beamed. “It’s a lifelong dream of mine. I have four daughters, and let me tell you, helping each of them choose a wedding gown is one of my favorite memories.” She gestured to the rows of pristine gowns. “Wedding dresses are so personal, aren’t they? I try to make sure that each of my clients tries on several different styles. Sometimes a girl comes in here thinking she wants one thing and realizes that something else is better suited for her.”

Ashley thumbed through an old issue of
Modern Bride
from a nearby table. “I was one of those girls. I always said ‘no way’ to a princess-style dress. But wouldn’t you know it, I tried on a poufy, lacy thing and fell in love with it.” She laughed.

Madelyn turned to Summer. “How about you? Did you wear the dress you’d always dreamed of or were you surprised by what you wound up with?”

Summer grimaced. “Actually, I got married at city hall.” She shook her head. “I never even tried on a wedding dress.”

Madelyn drew back, her eyes wide with horror.

“Don’t worry though. I’ve been doing this for a long time. Just because I didn’t have my own fairy-tale wedding doesn’t diminish my ability as a wedding planner.” Summer tried to laugh it off, but she could see her credibility had fallen as far as Madelyn was concerned.

Madelyn looked over at Ashley. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Ashley nodded. “I am.”

“Come on.” Madelyn pointed at a row of dresses in the back of the store. “This is the new collection for the fall. Try one on. Just for fun.”

Summer drew her brows together. “Oh, I shouldn’t.” She didn’t want to appear unprofessional. But she had always wanted to try on a wedding dress. Last year she’d picked up a dress from the cleaners for one of her brides. It had absolutely been Summer’s dream gown and in her size, too. It had taken all her self-control not to try it on. She’d held it up in front of herself in the full-length mirror at the back of Summer Weddings and imagined what it would’ve been like to float down an aisle toward Luke.

“Come on,” Ashley said. “Seeing you go all princess will cheer me up.”

Summer twisted her mouth into a smile. “I’ll try one on. But only if you promise not to cancel your date with Justin.”

“If it means you doing something spontaneous and trying on your dream gown. . .I’m in.” Ashley smiled and held up her iPhone. “And I’m totally willing to document this little fashion show.”

“What style do you have in mind, Summer?” Madelyn asked.

Summer thought for a moment. “My dream gown used to be a ball gown with a full skirt. But now I think I like a straighter, column style. But not strapless.” She chuckled. “I get so tired of seeing strapless dresses all the time.”

“Maybe a high neck?” Ashley asked, pulling one off the rack and holding it up. “Like this?” The white chiffon had intricate beading at the bodice.

Summer inhaled sharply. “Oh that’s beautiful.”

“Go try it on,” Madelyn said, pointing at a fitting room. “If you need help, let me know.”

Summer carried the gown into a lavish dressing room. The A-line chiffon dress had a high halter neck in the front and a deep V in the back. It might not be as traditional as a poufy, strapless dress, but it fit Summer’s sophisticated style perfectly. She slipped it over her head. “Can someone zip me?” she called.

Madelyn opened the door and carefully zipped the dress. “Oh my. It’s like it was made for you. Come step up on the platform and look in the mirror.”

Summer tentatively walked out of the dressing room and stepped up on the block that was in front of a floor-length mirror.

“It’s perfect,” Ashley breathed. “Just perfect.” She sighed. “You make a beautiful bride.”

Summer laughed. “Okay, simmer down. I’ve already been a bride, remember? Now I’m just an old married lady.”

Ashley raised an eyebrow. “Please don’t mention the word
old
to me today.”

Summer turned to face herself in the mirror. She might be married, but her husband was living on a boat. Without her. So much for the fairy tale. “This is a gorgeous dress.”

Madelyn walked over with a tiara and veil. “Try this, too. You want to get the full experience.”

Summer bent down, and Madelyn placed the headpiece on top of her head. She stood upright and looked back in the mirror. “I look so—so. . .bridal.”

They burst out laughing.

“That’s kind of the point,” Ashley said. “Here, smile.” She held up the phone and snapped a couple of pictures.

Summer turned back to the mirror. She’d never told Luke, but not having a real wedding had always bothered her. She’d dreamed of a church wedding at St. Michael’s. Chloe’s wedding had taken place in the historic building, and it had been so beautiful. Every time Summer planned a wedding at St. Michael’s, she imagined what her own would’ve been like. But it was too late now. “This has been fun. I guess now I know how I would’ve looked as a bride.”

Madelyn smiled. “Hon, with your looks and figure, you could model those dresses. Be a bride every day.”

Summer stepped down from the platform with a laugh. “This was enough. Besides, if I were dressed like a bride every day, it wouldn’t be special anymore.”

“Um, I’d take that job,” Ashley said. “Any day that includes a tiara sounds like a great day to me.”

Summer paused for Madelyn to unzip the dress. “Thanks for this. It was fun.” She smiled. “The most fun I’ve had in a while.”

“I’m glad you were a good sport.” Madelyn smiled. “I love to see that look on a girl’s face when she sees herself in the dress for the first time. You were no different. For a minute, even the toughest girl turns into Cinderella.”

Summer closed the fitting room door behind her and glanced in the mirror one last time.

She was nobody’s Cinderella. But it had been fun to pretend for a few minutes that everything was perfect.

L
uke sat in his truck in the nursing home parking lot. He hadn’t seen his dad since Bobby’s funeral almost a year ago. Almost exactly a year ago.

And even then the old man had been feeble. Broken. A lifetime of regret had been etched on his weathered face.

Luke hadn’t tried to contact Summer since he’d seen her on Memorial Day. He hadn’t known what to say. Her eyes had been so full of anger and hurt. He’d never dealt that well with emotions, so he wasn’t sure what he could say or do to take away her pain.

But today he wished he’d called her. He wished he’d asked her to come here with him. She would’ve known what to say, how to act. Her presence would’ve put him at ease.

He climbed out of the truck and walked slowly toward the entrance. Rose had warned him that Daddy might not recognize him. She’d given him so many instructions on the phone last night, his phone battery had almost given out. He walked inside the building and glanced around the big hallway.

A few elderly people shuffled past in robes. A teenage girl pushed an older woman in a wheelchair.

He inhaled. He must be near the cafeteria, because there was a distinct food smell in the air. It didn’t seem as much like a hospital as he’d expected. It was a little homier with nice décor and wallpapered walls.

He glanced at the sign on the wall. His dad’s room should be down the left corridor. He walked to the room and stopped in the doorway.