Give in to Me (26 page)

Laughing, I said, “It will be intimate. Just a few of us. You’ll have all the chances you want to get to know him. I tried to get Tristan to have him as the best man, but he wasn’t going for it. I’m planning to make sure there’s a chance for just the four of us to spend a little time together too.”

“Okay. As long as we have a plan. As for today, we’re getting your gown and mine. I’m trusting that you won’t put me in one of those awful bridesmaid’s gowns, right? No horrible pastels like mint green or peach. That would just be cruel, sweetie.”

I grabbed her hand and threaded my fingers through hers. “I wouldn’t do that to you. You’re my best friend in the world, so no mint or any other horrible color dress. I was thinking a nice black gown would look incredible on you with your blonde hair and green eyes.”

“Perfect! I knew you wouldn’t dress me in something awful. But what about Kim? What is she wearing?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask her to be a bridesmaid. I haven’t even told her we’re getting married.”

Jordan made a clucking sound with her tongue. “I don’t blame you. That girl is a drag. Do you plan to let her know?”

Sighing, I shrugged. “I don’t know. Kim is never supportive of anything with me, and I don’t want her to ruin this. Then I think that my father would never forgive me if he knew I didn’t invite her to my wedding. I don’t know what to do.”

The car rolled to a stop in front of a Brooklyn boutique where I knew I could find a dress on such short notice. As Jensen got out, Jordan gave me a sympathetic smile. “Well, we don’t have to think about her today. We just have to find you the world’s most incredible wedding gown and me the hottest bridesmaid’s gown so Gage sees that I clean up nice and sweeps me off my feet.”

“I see you’ve thought about this a bit,” I joked as my car door opened.

“Just a little. Now let’s get in there and find that dress!”

My dress wasn’t hard to find. I knew exactly what I wanted when I walked into the store, so it was just a matter of finding a dress that didn’t look like I was stepping out of a Disney princess parade. Thankfully, I only had to try on three before I found my perfect dress. A white satin gown with a beautiful draped neckline and cut-out back, it hung like it was made just for me. I knew as soon as I looked in the dressing room mirror that it was the dress I’d marry Tristan in.

Jordan’s squeals of delight when I walked out to model it for her told me I’d been right. Stepping up onto the carpeted dais, I twirled around in front of the tri-fold mirror. The coolness of the silk against my legs felt luxurious, and the back had just enough sexiness for my style.

“I love it! Is that the one you’re going to get?” Jordan asked as she fluttered around behind me checking out the dress from every angle.

Stopping, I smoothed the fabric over my thighs and nodded. “I think so. It’s not incredibly fancy, but it’s me. I love the way it hangs on me and makes me look taller. Not poofy or prom-like. Now for the veil. What do you think would work?”

“Elbow length would be perfect,” Jordan suggested as she skipped over to the rack of veils on the far wall. She choose one and held it out to me. Iridescent and lined with beads, it fit perfectly with the dress.

I placed it on my head and held my hands out as if to model the finished product. “Ta-da!”

In the mirror, I saw Jordan tear up behind me. Covering her mouth, she whispered, “Oh, honey. You’re gorgeous.”

I looked at the woman I was standing there in that bridal boutique, and for one of the few times in my life I thought I looked beautiful. That awkward art geek who never seemed to get the quarterback or dream boyfriend in high school was nowhere to be found, replaced by the most glamorous version of me there’d ever been.

Jordan sniffled behind me, making the moment so serious I almost cried, so I quickly turned around and changed the subject. Stepping down off the dais, I said, “Now we have to find you a dress. It’s your turn now.”

“I found a couple while you were in the dressing room. I don’t think the saleswoman thinks much of your idea of having me in black, though. She kept trying to foist pink gowns on me, and the last one she showed me was aquamarine. Can you believe it? Aquamarine! I had to stop myself from asking how her trip back to 1987 was.”

As I headed into the dressing room again, I carefully slid the dress from my shoulders. “Pink might work, if you want, but aquamarine is definitely out of the question. You sure you want black?”

I closed the door behind me just as the saleswoman came into the room with her arms full of pink, fluffy bridesmaids dresses—exactly the kind I’d promised Jordan she wouldn’t get stuck wearing. From inside the dressing room, I heard her announce to the woman, “There’s no way I’m going to be caught dead in those prom dresses.”

I hurried out of the dress and veil before she offended the woman and got out to her just in time to stop her from explaining just how dreadful the color aquamarine was. As the saleswoman turned on her heels and left, Jordan and I burst into laughter and it was like old times again.

Thankfully, the woman wasn’t too offended to bring back four black bridesmaids dresses, and after trying on each one, we couldn’t decide. They were all stunning on her. Not willing to take no for an answer, the saleswoman returned with one last dress in a soft peacock blue and before we knew it, we had to admit she had something there.

Jordan hurried into the dressing room and emerged in less than a minute in the dress that made me forget the idea of black in a heartbeat. Next to her long blond hair, the blue satin was stunning. Strapless, with a cuff neckline, it showed off her toned shoulders, and in the back it laced up like a corset, a very sexy touch. Standing on the dais, she turned around to face me and shook her head. “I have to admit. That lady knows her business. She’s delusional about the aquamarine, but this dress is fantastic. Are you okay with it instead of a black one?”

“As long as you’re happy, I’m happy. And by the way, I think any man would bow at your feet in that dress.”

“Oh, I’m happy then. Bring on the bodyguard. He doesn’t know what he’s up against with me in this dress,” she said flashing a gorgeous smile.

“Good. Let’s go grab a bite to eat. I’m starving after all this dress stuff. Hurry and get that dress off and we’ll hit that little restaurant near your place.”

While Jordan changed back into her clothes, I made nice with the saleswoman and paid for the dresses. I also saw Varo and West outside, and channeling my inner Cupid, approached them as they stood near the front door to the boutique. West looked surprised, so I used what I was sure was his concern about Tristan being unhappy once again with their lack of invisibility to my advantage.

“Gentlemen, we’re going to head to a restaurant near Jordan’s apartment. I’d like you to join us.”

Varo looked at me and raised his eyebrows. I had a feeling the expression wasn’t one of surprise but amusement. “I’m not sure Mr. Stone would be pleased with that. I distinctly remember him saying he wanted us out of sight.”

“Well, that went by the wayside already, so let’s move on to lunch and everyone can be happy.”

West grimaced and turned to face Varo, who simply smiled and shrugged. “Looks like we’re eating lunch today, buddy.”

Jordan joined us, and as she explained that the dresses would be delivered to the house by the middle of next week, I saw Varo sneak a look at her. My inner matchmaker had hope!

Brickfire was quaint and relatively quiet, considering it was in the middle of one of the busiest parts of the neighborhood. Long and narrow, the restaurant’s central feature was a deep red brick fireplace that in the winter made the place one of the coziest in Brooklyn. Since it was springtime, it was merely the restaurant’s inspiration but it was no matter since the food was supposed to be some of the best in the city.

The hostess sat the four of us at a table in the back, and even though the photographers seemed to have far less interest in me now that Tristan had returned, I was thankful for the little privacy the location afforded us. Unfortunately, it took me only a few minutes to see that West intended on making our lunch like some awkward double date he’d been forced into. It was like the man knew nothing of how two people got together. Every time I attempted to introduce a topic of conversation I knew would help Jordan and Varo really get to know one another, West insisted on inserting some comment about what they were supposed to be doing instead of enjoying a nice meal with us.

The server took our order, and I tried for the third time to talk about something that could help my two intended lovebirds get acquainted. “Gage was in the Navy before he began working as a bodyguard, Jordan. Remember when we went to Fleet Week?”

Her green eyes grew as wide as saucers with surprise, and for a moment I thought she might be angry with me for bringing up the topic, but before she could say anything, West angrily excused himself from the table and stomped away.

As I watched him leave the restaurant, I wondered aloud, “What’s up with him?”

Rolling her eyes, Jordan joked, “Maybe he’s an Army guy.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Varo smile and knew instantly it was one unlike any he’d ever given me. It went all the way up to his eyes. He really did like her. Thrilled my plan was unfolding exactly as I’d hoped, I sat back and let things happen.

Just as I’d believed, he was charmed by Jordan’s humor and occasional snarkiness, and if she liked him before, the mention of him in the Navy made her practically crazy about him. I saw it in her eyes. Only a few times before had I seen them sparkle like they did as the two of them sat there getting to know one another in the back of Brickfire. By the time West returned, I was convinced my matchmaking work had succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.

As we climbed into the back of the car to head to her place, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. Jordan was less expressive, but I knew inside she was bouncing off the walls. “Don’t tell me you didn’t have a great time. I know you did.”

“Sure. The food was great. I really liked that fireplace. I bet in the winter it’s great to have dinner there.”

I smacked her arm hard. “Don’t tell me you didn’t love getting to know him. I know you did.”

She giggled like a schoolgirl and blushed bright red. “I did. He’s even better than I thought. I’m trying not to get too excited by things just in case it ends up being nothing.”

“Nothing? When he sees you in that peacock blue dress, he’s going to want to sweep you off your feet right there in my garden.”

Jordan’s expression turned serious, and she squeezed my hand tightly. “I just don’t want to be let down, Nina. He’s gorgeous and hot and everything any girl would want. I don’t want to get my hopes up just yet.”

I understood her cautiousness. Letting someone into your heart was risky business, and as we both knew from experience, it rarely worked out. I still believed she could be happy like I was, so wary or not, I had hope for her and Gage.

Jensen stopped the car in front of her apartment and with a heavy heart I had to accept my time with her was over too soon. She saw my sadness and hugged me tightly to her. “Just a couple more days and we’ll be standing there in our awesome dresses and you’ll be marrying the man of your dreams. No sad faces, okay?”

“Okay. See you in a few days. The wedding is set for six next Saturday, so I’ll have Jensen come for you around two.”

“Two it is. I love you, Nina. Thanks for being such a great friend.”

I watched as she climbed the stairs to her place, already missing her. I wasn’t sad so much as understanding for the first time that everything was going to change. Living with someone was one thing, but becoming a wife meant something far more serious. I knew I’d see her whenever we wanted, but my life was about to change.

By the time we arrived back at the house, Varo and the still miserable West were there waiting for us, and as I got out of the car I saw Tristan pull Varo aside near the garage to speak to him. Both wore very serious expressions, but I didn’t get the sense he was reprimanding my bodyguard. After a minute or so, Varo left and I approached Tristan, happy to see him but curious about what the conversation had been about.

“Hey you! I found a wedding gown and Jordan found her bridesmaid gown, so we’re all set on the dresses.”

He took my hand in his and smiled. “Good. I can’t wait to see it.”

Looking up into his eyes, I tried to discern the meaning of his chat with Varo. “Everything okay? I saw you pull Varo aside as I drove up.”

“Everything’s fine. I have to head into the city, but I’ll be back in a few hours. I’d love it if you’d be waiting for me,” he said with a wink.

“You know I will be,” I said as I stood on my toes to kiss him, missing the feel of his lips on mine after hours away. “Maybe I’ll have a surprise for you.”

“I like that. You’re making it hard to leave, though.”

“Good, but I know you have things to do, so just remember I’ll be waiting when you get back.”

Whispering “I love you,” he kissed me again and turned toward the garage. As I watched him walk away, I thought about how I might surprise him. Maybe a nice dinner? Or me in sexy lingerie? Or a nice bubble bath for two?

I’d think of something good.

Chapter Eighteen

Nina