“Sure,” she said. She’d been dreading playing dress-up all day, but now that she was here, the sight of herself in the mirror captivated her.
Bending down, she allowed the seamstress to clip the veil to the back of her head, over her hair clip. It floated around her like an ethereal cloud, trailing over the ground as she walked.
“Lovely. I think you are ready to go show your man.”
Her stomach summersaulted for a moment before she scolded herself. Darian was not the marrying type. Seeing her in this dress wouldn’t have the impact on him that it had on her.
Lifting her chin, she opened the door and glided forward.
Darian was saying something to the assistant at his side as Allison walked toward him. But she knew the minute he became aware of her presence.
Blue eyes grew wide as they raked her from head to toe. He rose to his feet as if pulled against his will.
The teasing words she’d expected were absent as he stared at her in the dress. Not knowing what to say, she stood quiet and waited.
They might have stood there forever had the seamstress not interrupted.
“Up you go,” she said, herding her toward the dais. “We’ve got work to do.”
With a last glance at Darian, she obediently stepped up on the small platform and faced her reflection in the three-sided mirror. Assistants raced around her with measuring tapes, but she didn’t pay them any attention.
Her eyes were on the man who still hadn’t said a word.
…
She looked like a bride.
He’d known she would, of course, that was why they were here. But he hadn’t been prepared for the sight of her in such a beautiful dress.
With the veil in her hair and the tips of the white shoes peeking out from under her skirt, she was ready to walk down the aisle.
Which she would one day. She’d told him that, hadn’t she? One day she’d have her small wedding and marry her simple, easygoing man.
She’d smile, just as she was now, while looking at someone who wasn’t him. Walk toward someone who wasn’t him, ready to spend her life with the man at the end of the aisle.
And worse, some other man would put his hands on her and seal their promise with a kiss.
A promise made to his Ali.
“You’re very quiet.”
The soft sound broke him out of his thoughts, and he realized he’d clenched his fists.
“Do I look ridiculous?” Her words were said with an edge of humor, but he could hear the uncertainty under them.
“No,” he said, moving forward. “You are absolutely perfect.”
Her eyes met his in the mirror. “Really?”
“Flawless.” He moved between her and the mirror.
She gazed down at him while the seamstresses fluttered around them. “Jenny is going to love this dress.”
Yes, his sister would no doubt be thrilled to wear it on her wedding day. But he had a sneaking suspicion that even when he saw her in it, he’d be picturing Allison.
“Does it fit well?” he asked, seeking to say something normal.
“I don’t think they’ll have much work to do, assuming we really are the same size.” She ran a hand over the lace. “I’ve got her in for a final fitting the day after she lands. Everything should be taken care of by then.”
“Excellent.” There was no reason for his mouth to be dry, when he’d just had a flute of champagne.
“Do you think Matt will like it?”
“Any man would be lucky to see his future wife walking toward him looking like this.”
Her swift inhale was so soft he nearly missed it.
“Any man?”
He glanced up, his gaze clashing with her chocolate one. Did she have to look at him that way? All he wanted to do was haul her into his arms and kiss her. Remind her she was his. For the time being, at least.
“Any man who would want to marry,” he amended.
Something shifted in her eyes, dampening the joy that had been there. The sight made him itch to take back the words, even though he wasn’t sure why they had caused the light to dim in her gaze.
Wasn’t he? his mind mocked.
“Of course,” she said, turning back to her reflection. “It really is lovely. I guess I should enjoy it while I can. It’ll probably be my only time in a gown like this one.”
“You don’t know that.”
A small smile curved her lips. “I want a simple wedding, remember? This is not a simple dress. Besides, I’d rather save up for a down payment on a house than blow my savings on a big white wedding.”
He doubted Jenny had even given that option a second thought. He knew he hadn’t. Watching Allison, he felt humbled by her simple dreams. It’d been a long time since he had to think about a savings account.