Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,15
have to deal with her. Taylor, how was the expo in Atlantic City?”
Taylor shrugged. “Pierce and I got a bunch of new-client leads, so I’d term it a success. Even better? I won two hundred and fifty bucks on the slots.”
“Nice. Which machine?” he asked.
“Sex and the City.”
He rolled his eyes. “They haven’t retired Ms. Bradshaw yet? I prefer the Hangover or Walking Dead.”
“Well, you didn’t win the money on those, did you?” she quipped.
He laughed and wondered if he’d do better with a woman like Taylor—more snark than sweet. Then again, maybe not. He didn’t know too many men who could handle the youngest Sunshine sister except Pierce Powers, a longtime friend of Taylor’s and the best wedding photographer on the Cape, who insisted he and Taylor were no more than friends.
Avery clicked through her screens, then pointed her pen at Bella. “I forgot about the next agenda item we need to discuss. It’s about getting caught up in a couple’s sob story.”
Taylor grunted. “I have no issues with that. What did Bella do now?”
Avery sighed. “Vera called. Seems our softy sister paid for a dress the bride couldn’t afford.”
Bella squared her shoulders, but her skin flushed with guilt. “I can’t believe Vera tattled—she’s the one who split the extra cost with me!”
“Dude, you need to stop giving away our profit,” Taylor said. “What was the story this time?”
Her chin jutted out in pure stubbornness. “It wasn’t a lot of money, okay? But she’s on a strict budget, and she fell in love with a Jenny Packham that looked gorgeous on her. I watched her tear up.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “Cue the poor grandma sitting in the waiting room, telling her she can’t afford it. Then she takes the dress off, cries some more, and Grandma begs for help to make it more affordable. Why was the dress shown when it wasn’t in her budget?”
“There was no grandmother,” Bella said. Her normally bright blue eyes grew shadowed. “She had her nine-year-old sister with her. Her sister found the dress on the rack and begged her to try it on. When she saw the price, she quietly took it off and settled for a cheaper dress. But when she picked it, there wasn’t the same joy in her eyes.”
“It does happen a lot,” Avery said gently. “It’s difficult, but we can’t buy all our couples wedding dresses they can’t afford.”
Gabe sensed there was more. “What else happened for you to make the decision, Bella?”
Her gaze flew to his. Understanding passed between them. “She’s in remission for breast cancer. They decided to get married right away, even though she has no hair. Her fiancé said he wanted their wedding photos to reflect the real woman he loved.” Bella paused, emotion shining in her eyes. “I just wanted her to have something that made her feel beautiful and whole. Every bride deserves that on her wedding day. To be special. To feel special.”
Yes. This was why he’d fallen so hard. She was a woman who needed to give and thrived on making others happy. If a man was ever lucky enough to gain Bella’s love and trust, she’d shower him with everything she was. There would be no lies, no games, and no holding back. It was rare to find that type of deep caring in the world. She reminded him of all the beautiful things when he looked into her face.
In the stunned silence, Gabe spoke. “Sounds like a damn good reason to me. What do you guys think?”
Avery cleared her throat. “Sorry, Bella. I’ll split it with you.”
“I’m in,” he added.
“Me, too,” Taylor mumbled. “Can we move on now, please?”
Bella smiled, her body relaxing back into her chair.
They spent the next hour confirming schedules and various details for upcoming events. As they wrapped up, Avery waved her hands in the air. “Guys, I got a Google alert for Sunshine Bridal! Let me read it out loud.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “Probably just a news blog from the Expo.”
“No, the heading says Sunshine Bridal to plan wedding of the year! Oh my God, it’s from Page Six!”
He frowned. “Are we doing any celebrity weddings this year?”
“I didn’t think so,” Bella said.
“Wait, I’m clicking on it now. Hang on.” They waited as she brought up the link. He became concerned when her excited expression slowly drained away. She grew dangerously pale and unusually quiet, staring at the screen like a Stephen King creature was about to jump out at her.