Knocking Boots - Willow Winters Page 0,50
baby girl while sending this text and listening to her baby girl cry. It’s all a phase, but I already know she’s going to miss it when Evie’s over it. Maybe not the crying, but the wanting to be held. Hell, Joseph may miss it even more.
Just left. I type the message and add, Love you, just as she sends back her response.
Thanks. Love you too.
The trace of a smile picks my lips up, but then I see the time. Shit. I have to get my ass going. The ring flips back and forth as I roll my fingers over the thin band, making my way out.
There’s no way in hell I’m not getting married. My ma would kill me. Just the thought makes my steps down the stairs lighter. I’m not getting any younger. And it’s about damn time I had someone in my life. Someone like Grace. I don’t know if she’s the one. My heart flips at the thought of her in a white dress.
I want her, I know that much. But I don’t have to know any more than that. She’s mine for now, and we’re both enjoying ourselves. That’s what matters. There’s no need to put a label on it.
I grab my jacket off the coatrack and slip on my boots. She should be at the bar tonight, but she’s got a thing with my sister first. A deep chuckle vibrates up my chest. I’m sure she’ll have plenty to say about that.
Before I get in the car, I slip the ring in my pocket, knowing the church right up the street has a donation bin. I’m tossing the ring in there before I get to work. I need it gone and out of my life. There’s no way I’d give this ring to my wife. All this ring represents is my past. It was meant for Suzanne.
I never wanted her back. That ring was just a reminder of what I was going to end up with.
I’ll never settle. As that thought passes through my mind, I realize I should’ve thrown that damn thing away a long time ago.
Grace
Peeking at my phone again, I read the text from Charlie’s sister, Ali. It was sent to all the women in the bridal party.
Let’s meet at 1 p.m. at Monique’s Bridal! There will be champagne. :)
With a deep breath in I stare out my car window and take in the view, namely Monique’s Bridal Shop. It doesn’t take long before I see a gaggle of girls come around the corner, and spot Alianna in the middle of them.
A mix of emotions are running through me, but I shove them down and get out of the car, crossing the street toward them with my keys jingling in my hands.
Ali spots me nearly instantly and I keep the smile plastered on my face. “Oh, it’s Grace!” She calls out, “I’m so glad you came!”
She hugs me, and it only eases the anxiousness of meeting new people and being in her bridal party – which still makes me feel like I’m crazy for agreeing to do it. She has to be the crazier one though, right? How awful that I’m thinking that as I pull away and wave to the other women who are obviously her friends and far closer to her than I will probably ever be.
“Hi guys,” the greeting leaves me and I swallow thickly, trying to shake off every nerve and just enjoy this trip, get to know Ali and have a good time.
I already feel guilty for being on this shopping trip, seeing as how I'm not really dating Charlie. No need to make it weird on top of that by being my… well, weird self. But they don’t know that.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you made it!”
“No problem!” I say, trying to make my voice sound upbeat.
“Let me make introductions before we go inside,” Ali announces with an excited flare and a quick clap of her hands. “This is Lindsay, Sam, and Ellie.”
She gestures to three women. Two of them are petite and blonde like Ali herself, and they’re dressed as preppy as J. Crew models. Ellie seems to be the odd one out, tall and thin, dark-haired and wearing an artsy, hot pink dress. Cheryl isn’t coming, but she’s the last bridesmaid. She texted in the group message that she hadn’t slept at all with Evie being up all night.
Altogether, they seem really nice and they’re warm to me. So,