Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
He didn’t want to leave.
TWENTY-EIGHT
REID
For the past six years, Reid had watched Say Yes to the Dress, critiquing every dress, admiring brides on their big day, and wishing her mom were going to be there on her big day. Most little girls grew up playing bride, either with the ever-popular sheer curtains hanging in their living room windows or the handy pillowcase standby.
Reid had done neither.
Being raised by a single father, she’d spent most of her time outside, digging in the dirt, making mountains in their backyard for her Tonka trucks to climb over, or watching whatever sporting event was on television. It wasn’t until she’d started going to sleepovers that things changed for her. She learned how to be more girly, as her father called the changes in her. Reid absorbed everything she could from her friends’ mothers. How to do her hair and makeup, how to take care of her body, and how to cook. She loved bringing home recipes to try for her dad. It wasn’t until she was a teen, when she’d started to dream about her wedding, that she’d learned from her dad that he’d kept her mother’s wedding dress.
Now, as she perused the racks, having gone from store to store and feeling no connection to any of the beautifully made gowns, Reid knew which dress would be perfect. “We should go get some lunch,” she said to Melanie, whom she’d invited to spend the weekend with her, since Grayson was gone with Pearce.
“You haven’t tried on a single dress, Reid. I know you have time, but still. Don’t you want to get a feel for the style?”
Reid shook her head. “I already know which type I want to wear.”
Melanie threw her hands up in dramatic fashion. “Now you tell me.” She made her way over to the section Reid stood in front of. “Which one?”
“None of these?”
“What store, then?”
Reid bit her lower lip and shook her head again. Melanie’s eyes went wide. Reid wasn’t even going to try to guess what her friend was thinking.
“Reid Sullivan, if you tell me you’re going to get married in a burlap sack, I will strangle you.”
Reid stifled a laugh. “Heck no. It is vintage, though. Lacy. And in my dad’s closet.”
Melanie’s eyes widened again, and then her head started moving up and down. “Yes! Why didn’t we think of this from the beginning?”
“I don’t know, but it feels right, ya know? Like, I keep looking at these dresses, and while they are lovely, they’re not me. My mom’s dress . . .” Reid paused and looked at her ring. “It just makes perfect sense. She’d be with me in every sense of the word.”
Melanie stepped forward and placed her hands on Reid’s shoulders. “This is perfect. I think Grayson should wear navy. What do you think?”
It took Reid all of two seconds to agree. “He’ll love it.”
“Perfect. Now lunch. Let’s go.”
Thankfully, they were in Georgetown, where retail and food therapy were on top of their game for DC. They found a modern yet swanky restaurant that didn’t require a reservation. They snagged an outside seat, under a wide umbrella. It was funny: even though it was May and the days were gorgeous, the propane heaters still lingered in the corners. Mostly for the evenings and nighttime crowds, where the chill in the air could ruin a good meal.
They ordered a bottle of white wine, grateful for the convenience of living in the city, where mass transportation was available. While they waited for their meal, they sipped on wine and snacked on bruschetta.
“I made a list of things you need to do and when,” Melanie told Reid. “I’ve shared it with you.”
Reid picked up her phone, opened the list, and read. “Thank you,” she said. “It feels good knowing most of the important stuff is taken care of. Hiring the wedding planner was literally the best and easiest decision.”
“Aside from saying yes to Grayson,” Melanie pointed out.
“That was a no-brainer.”
“How’s the guest list coming?”
“I think we’re up to one hundred. We still have time before we do our save-the-date magnets.”
“When is your engagement photo session again?”
“In June. We finally decided on the Smithsonian Gardens.”
Melanie nodded in agreement. “I swear, this has to be one of the best places to get married. Are you sure Grayson doesn’t have a brother?”
Reid giggled. “Just Pearce.”
Melanie’s nose crinkled at the sound of his name. “He rubs me the wrong way.”
“Why? He’s a good guy. You guys always get along when you’re together.”
“Too well, sometimes. I don’t know. He gives off brother vibes.”
“And that’s a bad thing?” Reid asked.
Melanie gave a half shrug and sipped her wine. “Do we get to pick our entrance music?” she asked.
“Yes. Grayson and I are going for a very laid-back vibe, with elegance, though. I want this wedding to be elegant and beautiful.”