Chapter 56
Cori
My future bridal boutique is in the busiest part of Main Street. It’s on the part of town that connects Shadow Cove to Widow’s Peak.
It’s also right off the highway, which makes it a perfect location. One thing a bride is going to do is travel far and wide to find the perfect wedding dress.
“I want to help decorate,” Selene says from a few feet away. Dax makes a face, but he keeps his mouth shut. Selene pulls out her phone. “Eden asked me to take pictures.”
“You can have whatever you want,” Dax whispers in my ear. I tap his cheek in gratitude as I think of ways to make my boutique warm and inviting while also upscale and sophisticated. “You should consider—”
His words get cut off when I hear a buzzing in his pocket. He pulls out another burner phone, excuses himself, and walks through the back door of the boutique.
I decide to leave it alone for now and explore.
The gowns will be downstairs. The brides will go up the curved staircase to the second level, into the fitting rooms. The upstairs is like a large loft.
It’s an open concept, and is visible from downstairs.
The brides will gather in the middle of the loft to show off their dresses to their entourages.
Selene talks nonstop about ideas, and I listen with half an ear.
I look out the window to the back of the building and notice Dax talking on the phone.
To the untrained eye, he looks stoic, but his cheek twitches, and I know whatever he’s hearing is upsetting.
He hands up the phone, tosses it to the ground, and stomps on it.
He takes a deep breath and walks back toward the door. He finds me moments later in the upstairs loft. If I hadn’t seen him, I would have no idea he was upset. He pulls me into his body and wraps his arms around me from behind.
“I have to go.” He spins me around. “I’ll see you at home.”
I have a billion questions, but I won’t ask them where Selene can hear.
“You’re our ride,” I remind him. “You drove us here.”
“I’ll have Mom pick you up and drive you home.”
As soon as Daxton left, his mother showed up at the boutique. After I showed her around and told her my plans, the three of us had lunch together.
She dropped Selene off, and I expected Haddie to do the same with me, but she parked her car and came inside. I designed a dress to her instructions, and we went through my sewing room to find the correct material. After I took her measurements, we went back to the kitchen.
“I’m thinking of doing a limited line for older brides,” I say while she cooks dinner. I sip my wine and continue. “I would love it if you would be one of my models. I think I’ll also ask my mom and Eden’s.”
“Oh, sweetheart, that sounds amazing. I know whatever you make will be beautiful.”
“Let me show you some of my ideas. I’ll go get my iPad.”
An hour later, I start to set the table while she finishes cooking. The front door opens, and I hear human and canine footsteps.
“Hi, Finchie girl. Daddy missed you. Did Mommy and Grandma take good care of you?”
“I told you not to refer to me as Mommy to that thing,” I yell.
“Who the hell put this tutu on her?” My husband sounds annoyed, and that makes me happy.
Haddie shakes her head and points at me.
“Don’t bring Finch in here, but I need to talk to you about your sister.
” Haddie turns to me. “Sweetheart, can you put our dinner on the table for me? I’m gonna walk Finch with Daxton.
” She puts her hands on my shoulders and kisses my cheek.
“I love you so much.” I blush at her words.
I notice Dax leaning on the wall at the kitchen’s entrance.
He has Finch on a leash. “Good job picking her as your wife, son. A plus.”
“What grade does Cori get?” He playfully asks.
“C minus.” I cackle, Dax acts offended, and Haddie grins. “I raised you. Thank you for taking him. Just remember, I don’t want him back.”