Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,55
you got preggers.”
“Hey, that should be our motto,” Stephanie said. “‘Not a shotgun wedding—we really are in love!’ What do you think, Mom?”
Her mom groaned. “Awful. Your father told me he was terrified for you both the first time Adam picked you up for prom. Remember how you swore in fourth grade you’d go with him to the prom in a limo one day? For years, your father said it was a sweet little crush that would disappear. He’s still in shock he’s gonna be a grandfather.”
Bella smiled. “You were smitten with each other that young?” she asked. “It really is a true love story.”
The MOH leaned forward eagerly. “Steph and Adam fell in love in elementary school, started dating in high school, and continued through college. It was as if they were always meant to be together. Meanwhile, I’m still dating jerks and kissing toads. Some girls get all the luck.”
Stephanie giggled and waved her hand in the air. “Don’t be silly, your match is out there.”
“Hope so. Still, I believe we only get one shot at that type of love you guys have,” the MOH said.
The mother nodded. “Agreed. Your father is sometimes a pain in the ass, but thirty years later, he’s the only one I want to wake up to.”
A tirade of memories assaulted Bella’s vision, crushing her lungs and making her stumble back a step.
Meeting his gaze for the first time in algebra class and going weak kneed at his smile.
The first time they made love in the twin-bed dorm room, clinging to his broad shoulders as she whispered in his ear that she loved him, and he whispered it right back without hesitation.
Holding hands at graduation.
Looking downward, him on bent knee, his brown hair gleaming in the sunlight as the diamond ring he held sparkled into a thousand prisms of radiance.
Walking down the aisle in a white dress, gaze trained on his with every step forward.
Tangled in his arms late at night, talking about their dreams, the baby, and the beautiful, big life they planned together.
The day she learned it was all gone, and her one true love was never coming back.
Vera appeared with two dresses. “Let’s get you back in the changing room. I think we may have a winner.” Her gaze narrowed on Bella, who fought to remain calm as needles of pain jabbed her insides. “Are you okay?”
She forced a smile. “Yes, just going to grab some water. Be right back.”
She raced for the back room, where Vera kept a small fridge stocked with water, juices, and champagne for the guests. Opening up the bottle, she chugged the icy water and prayed for sanity. It was happening again. The slow breakdown of her body and mind that would send her to bed, weak and heartsick, the depression rolling over her in waves she was barely able to fight.
It’d been a long time since she’d fallen apart, but she remembered every broken moment like it was yesterday.
Sweat beaded her brow. She fought off the panic and tried to slow down her heartbeat. Bending over, she placed her hands on her knees and focused on one breath at a time until she slowly calmed. She kept her daughter’s face firmly in her mind, and eventually, she stood tall again.
Grabbing a tissue, she blotted quickly at her face, finished the water, and went back to her clients.
The sight of Stephanie standing on the pedestal made her gasp. She was clad in a gorgeous satin dress with lace lining the deep-V back, then spilling into a long, intricate train. The bride’s face said it all. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and her mom was openly weeping.
“It’s beautiful,” Stephanie whispered in reverence. “This wasn’t even on my hit list.”
Bella’s throat closed up. Knowing all the amazing moments ahead for her young bride stirred the hornet’s nest but also reminded her how fierce love could be, how she had once been the one clad in white, wildly in love and believing in happily ever after. Being part of Stephanie’s love story soothed the rawness. It was as if she got to experience dozens of redos and keep a piece of her heart filled with hope.
“If we were on that TV show, I’d make you say the words,” Bella finally said.
Everyone laughed. “You can thank Bella for having me pull this one,” Vera said without any ego. “She seems to sense what a bride needs in a dress. I wish she’d quit and come work solely for me.”