by Debby Mayne
“Yeah, that was weird, but at least it showed me that side of him. Good thing I found out early, huh?”
“I guess.” Elizabeth shrugged. “It was so sudden, though. I kept thinking there was more to it than that.”
“Maybe,” Cindi said. “But I remember what the pastor said when he caught me in the hallway crying. He reminded me that not only did Jeremy not seem to be a believer, but he heard Jeremy had a history of breaking girls’ hearts and I needed to count my blessings.”
Their two o’clock appointment came in, so they spent the rest of their afternoon scurrying around, appeasing nervous brides and demanding mothers-of-the-brides. Cindi sometimes considered her job more of a counseling position than that of a bridal gown salesperson.
Elizabeth had to leave an hour early, so Cindi had the rest of the afternoon to herself. She had one more customer who wasn’t due for a half hour, so she decided to rework the showroom window. She’d barely gotten the mannequin turned around when she saw the car slowing down in front of the shop. When she focused on the driver, she realized who it was. Jeremy. Her heart pounded hard and her mouth grew dry, but she forced herself to turn away.
❧
After all these times of driving by, he’d grown confident he wouldn’t see Cindi—or more precisely that she wouldn’t see him. But she had. He could tell when she recognized him because she jerked into quick action and moved out of direct view. She’d changed a little, but for the better. Her blond hair that once hung to her waist was now stylishly below her shoulders with long layers. Rather than contacts, she wore glasses that gave her more of an intellectual look yet didn’t cover up her big blue eyes that sparked with emotion. He was happy to see she hadn’t starved herself to get skinny like so many women her age did. She still had a pretty, round face and a smile that would light up any room.
He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. For the first time since becoming a businessman, he was unsure of himself. All his other business acquisitions had been effortless and calculated. This one, however, was nothing but an emotional rollercoaster ride. He’d heard the rumor that Cindi Clark owned a boutique of some sort. Then as soon as he spotted Cindi’s Bridal Boutique in Fran’s listing book, he remembered his old high school flame’s dreams, and the name Cindi on the sign jumped out at him. Just by chance it was hers, he asked. Fran had given him a questioning look but nodded.
That was the last time he’d circle the block. It was time to leave her alone until he had more of a chance to think of what to do next. He looked at his watch and saw it was almost time for his dad to get home from work. He’d promised to take them out to dinner. He pulled out his cell phone and called his mom.
“We understand if you’re too busy,” she said.
Jeremy laughed. “I’m never too busy to take my favorite people out. I’ll be there in half an hour. Think you can be ready then?”
“I’m ready, and I’m sure your father will be very quickly. All he’ll want to do is change clothes and wash his hands.”
“The timing will be good, then,” Jeremy said.
“Where are you taking us?”
He laughed. “It’s a surprise.”
“You know we don’t care where you take us. We’re easy to please.”
“Yes, I know, Mom, but I want to treat you and Dad to something wonderful.”
“Just don’t go getting any ideas of taking us someplace too fancy.”
After he hung up, he paused and considered where he’d planned to take his parents. Atlanta Fish Market in Buckhead was one of the finest restaurants in the area, and he doubted his folks had ever been there. What if they didn’t like it? Maybe it would make them uncomfortable.
Oh well. If he pulled into the parking lot and they insisted on going someplace else, he’d call from his cell phone and cancel their reservations. But he wanted to at least try to give them something they weren’t likely to do for themselves. With money scarce during his childhood, his mother pinched pennies at the grocery store. They rarely went out for dinner. They sacrificed even more when they moved him and his brother to their first house right before he started high school. And they waited until both boys were gone before selling the house and buying the condo.
A few minutes after he arrived at their place, his dad came walking out of the bedroom all dressed up in his best navy suit and tie. “You don’t think I’d want my son to outshine his old dad, do you?”
“I’ll never outshine my dad,” Jeremy said.
His mom squeezed between them and hooked her arms in theirs. “I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be with the two most handsome men in Atlanta.”
Jeremy’s dad wanted to drive, but Jeremy was more insistent. Since his own car was a two-seater, they took his dad’s car. “You two sit in the backseat, and I’ll play chauffer.”
As soon as he pulled up to the Atlanta Fish Market, his mother let out a sound he’d never heard her make, causing him to glance in the rearview mirror. “You okay back there?”
Her eyes round and wide, she nodded. “Can you afford this place?”
Jeremy’s heart sank. He had a feeling she’d make him turn around and go someplace else—like Old Hickory House where the food was good but not nearly as pricey and much more downhome.
“Mom, I wouldn’t take you here if I couldn’t afford it.” He paused before adding, “It is okay with you, isn’t it?”
She nodded then broke into giggles. “Imagine me eating at a place like this. Son, you’re so good to us.”
❧
The next morning Cindi arrived at the shop early to look over her books. Fran had called late the previous day and said she was bringing Jeremy back. Cindi had mixed feelings. On the one hand, she didn’t want to sell her business to an absentee owner, but on the other hand, she wanted to show him she was doing well.
Before opening her computer spreadsheet, she said a silent prayer for the ability to know what to do and the emotional stability to get through this. She’d been surprised to see Jeremy, but even more shocked at how she felt after all these years. The attraction was still there, but there was something else. The way he looked at her showed something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It was almost as though he was as nervous about seeing her as she was about seeing him.
She looked everything over and made sure all the fields were filled in. Between her and Elizabeth, the books had been painstakingly maintained. They were a good team. Too bad she’d lost faith in her business.
All the numbers balanced, and everything looked great. She closed the software program and walked around the shop once more to make sure it was sparkling. Even if she didn’t sell it to Jeremy, she had pride in her work.
The phone rang. It was Elizabeth calling to let her know she’d been asking around about Jeremy and had learned that not only was he a successful businessman as they already knew, but he bought and sold businesses to turn a quick profit. “He’s a business flipper.”
“Thanks, Elizabeth,” Cindi said, “but I already knew that.” Jeremy had become somewhat of a celebrity among a bunch of the guys they graduated with because he’d made something of himself—at least in their eyes.
“Don’t let him do that to something you’ve worked so hard for. I’d hate to watch all your blood, sweat, and tears go down the drain just because he sees a golden opportunity.”
Cindi assured her she’d think before acting on this deal. After she got off the phone, she leaned against the counter and closed her eyes.
Her mind flashed back to the pain of Jeremy’s breakup. It had taken years to get past the pain—until now.
The flash of sunlight on the door as it opened caught her attention. She spun around and saw Jeremy. Alone.
Fran was nowhere in sight.
Two
“Fran’s meeting me here,” Jeremy said before Cindi had a chance to ask. “I was hoping you and I could talk first.”
“There’s really not much to talk about.”
He stepped close
r—so close, in fact, Cindi was certain he could hear her heartbeat. He stopped about three feet away. She slowly let out the breath she was holding.
“I’m impressed with what you’ve done,” he said softly.
Her mind raced with all sorts of comebacks, but she didn’t want to risk letting him know how hurt she’d been, so she didn’t let any of them out. “I’ve worked hard for all of it.”
“I can see that. Looks to me like you haven’t missed a single detail. What I don’t understand is why you’d get this far and want to sell.”
She shrugged and turned away. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m ready to move on.”
“That’s not like you, Cindi.”
Suddenly she felt a burst of adrenaline mixed with anger. “No, it isn’t, is it?” She spun around to face him. “I’m the steady type. The kind of girl who stays with things unless there’s a very good reason to quit.”
He tightened his jaw and looked down. She instantly regretted showing her frustration, but it was too late now.
“I’m probably going to make an offer,” he said.
“Fine. ” Cindi saw Fran approaching the shop, so she turned to face the door.
“Oh, good,” Fran said as she made her entrance. “You’re here. I was afraid you’d sleep in after last night.” She offered Jeremy a conspiratorial wink.
Last night? And what was with that wink? Maybe he’d had a date he’d told Fran about. An annoying, unexpected pang of jealousy shot through Cindi. She looked away to prevent either of them from noticing.
“Thanks for recommending Atlanta Fish Market,” he said.
A date to one of the best restaurants in the entire Atlanta area. Whoever she is must be special. Cindi bit her bottom lip.
“I was afraid my mom would balk,” he continued. “She’s always hated spending too much money.”
“Yes, I know,” Fran said with a smile. “She and I have gone bargain hunting together many times. Did your dad like the seafood?”
A double date with his parents. Sounds serious. Maybe he is buying this bridal shop for the woman in his life.
“He loved it. In fact, he said if he’d known how good it was, he would have taken Mom there before. I was surprised I was able to get reservations on such short notice.”
Fran nodded. “It’s not too hard to squeeze in a table for three at the last minute.”
Table for three? So he went there with his parents and no date? To her dismay, a flood of relief nearly overcame her.
Jeremy turned to Cindi. “I’ve been staying with my parents while I look for real estate, and I wanted to do something nice for them.”
“Dinner at the Atlanta Fish Market is very nice,” she agreed.
“Maybe I can take you there next time?” he asked.
“Um. . .I don’t think so.”
A stricken look crossed his face. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t even ask if there was someone. . . I should have known.”
Cindi started to say there was no one in her life, but she refrained. She hadn’t dated anyone more than a couple of times since high school, but he didn’t have to know he’d left her so raw that she didn’t trust herself in a relationship.
“Speaking of parents,” he said with a smile, “how are yours? I’ll never forget those Friday nights with your family playing Monopoly and watching Nickelodeon.”
“Um, my parents. . .” She didn’t feel like discussing their split, so she figured she might as well just be general. “They’re fine.”
“Still doing the Friday night thing?”
Cindi slowly shook her head. “Not since Chad and I moved out.”
He smiled and nodded. “Makes sense. I guess they must be doing their own thing these days. Well, good for them.” He turned to Fran. “I was just about to ask Cindi if I can take a look at her records. Ready to get started?”
Cindi turned toward the tiny office in the back, then heard someone come in. She turned around in time to see a harried woman nearly dragging a younger woman who looked as though she’d rather be anywhere but there.
“I need a gown in a size six,” the woman demanded. “Whaddya got in stock?”
“What time is your appointment?” Cindi asked.
The woman waved her hand as if she couldn’t be bothered. “I don’t have an appointment. No time for that. I caught my daughter in the nick of time—she was about to elope, but I caught her—and we need a gown real quick.”
“We normally. . .” Cindi sucked in a breath while she decided what to do. This wasn’t the first time someone needed a wedding gown on the spur of the moment, but she never had a potential buyer of the shop standing there waiting for her to finish her business before.
Jeremy nodded toward the customers, a smirk of amusement on his face. “Go ahead and take care of business. I’ll wait.”
Cindi licked her lips, smoothed her hands over her slacks, and tried to regain her composure. “We keep a few samples in stock. Do you have a particular style in mind?”
“Something decent,” the middle-aged woman said as her daughter sulked by the door. “I don’t want anything showing, if you know what I mean.”
Cindi leaned over to get a handle on what the bride wanted. “Do you prefer a full gown or something more fitted?”
The younger woman just shrugged and turned completely around. Her mother, on the other hand, knew exactly what she wanted. “Long sleeves, full gown, lots of lace, long train, the whole nine yards.”
“Mama,” the girl said. “Please stop. Eric and I just want a quiet little wedding in a park.”
“That’s nonsense, Melissa. You’re the only daughter I’ve got, and I’m not about to let you go off and get married by some justice of the peace in a filthy park somewhere.”
Cindi’s heart went out to the young woman, but she couldn’t get involved. She stood there and waited before doing anything.
The older woman spun back around. “You heard me. I need to get the dress today.”
“Our alterations person isn’t in yet, but she can get right on it once she’s here,” Cindi explained.
“No time for that. We have to find something that fits off the rack.”
To Cindi’s surprise, Melissa finally gave in and tried on everything her mother picked out. However, she clearly felt miserable in all the dresses.
Exasperated, the mother left the fitting room saying they weren’t leaving until they found the perfect dress. Once she was gone, Cindi turned to the bride.
“Did you have something in mind?” she asked.
Melissa sighed. “I really didn’t want a traditional wedding dress. They’re too fussy for me.”
“Maybe I can help you out. We carry a collection that has simple lines.” She paused and gave Melissa a chance to think.
“Since it doesn’t look like I have any choice in this, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try one on.”
Her mother breezed back into the fitting room with the most ornate dress in the shop slung over her arm. She shoved it at Melissa. “Here, try this.”
Cindi offered the bride a sympathetic smile. “Why don’t you work on getting into that while I go find a dress in our most exquisite line that’s the latest rage with celebrity brides this year.”
“Latest rage? Celebrity brides?” Melissa’s mother asked. “What’s that?”
“I’ll bring one in for you to look at,” Cindi replied. “In the meantime, since you went to the trouble of getting that one, why don’t you help her into it?”
She gently closed the door behind her. “I’m really sorry, Fran, but Elizabeth isn’t here yet and. . .”
“Don’t worry about it. Jeremy said he doesn’t mind waiting.”
Cindi glanced around. “Where is he?”
“I sent him on an errand so you wouldn’t feel so rushed. I’m enjoying just looking around at all the gorgeous gowns. Take your time.”
Cindi relaxed a little since Jeremy wasn’t in the showroom pacing. She went to the area where she kept samples that wer
e for sale and pulled out one of the dresses with the cleanest lines. It was a brushed satin with a sweetheart neckline and three-quarter sleeves. It had a short train and a small amount of lace overlay on the bodice—just enough to make the mother happy.
When she opened the door to the fitting room, she saw the anguished look on Melissa’s face. She had to admit the dress totally overwhelmed the petite young woman.
“Now that’s what I call a wedding dress,” her mother said. “Isn’t she the most gorgeous bride you’ve ever seen?”
“She is very pretty, but I’m not sure. . .” Cindi’s voice trailed off as both Melissa and her mother watched her expectantly. She changed her mind midsentence, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“What’s that?” her mother finally said after a few seconds of silence, pointing to the dress in Cindi’s arms.
“Oh, it’s one of the hottest dresses on the market. Celebrity brides are going crazy over this one.”
Melissa’s mother clasped her hands together as Cindi made a production of hanging it on the hook. She’d been in this business long enough to know a large part of selling a style was the unveiling.
Once she had it on the hook and arranged, she sucked in a breath, said a very short prayer, then turned around to see the reaction. At first there was none. Then a wide grin spread across the mother-of-the-bride’s face.
“Yes, I’ve seen that one in the supermarket magazines. It’s perfect.”
Melissa’s lips turned up into a grin. Cindi could tell she liked this one.
A few minutes later Melissa stood in front of the three-way mirror while her mother and Cindi admired her. “I like it,” she finally said.
“We’ll take it.” Her mother turned her around and started unzipping the back.
“It won’t take long to alter it so she can have a perfect fit,” Cindi said. “When do you need it?”
“There’s no time. The wedding’s this afternoon in the small chapel behind the big church.”
“This afternoon?” Cindi said, her voice cracking. She wasn’t kidding, there wasn’t any time.