Page 119 of The Wedding Engagement

Liv blinked, trying to stop the hot sting of tears. “Arran’s been sending me these messages, Mum. And I want to trust in his feelings for me, and mine for him. But I’m terrified, and as much as I try to work it out and rationalize it, I don’t really know why. I think I’m just broken.”

Her mum shook her head. “You’re not broken, love. Just a little dented. But dents can be smoothed out over time.” She reached out to tuck Liv’s hair behind her ear. “And just because an emotion can’t be rationalized doesn’t make it invalid. You’ll get there; you just need to be kind to yourself, and trust yourself.” She smiled. “And for what it’s worth, I think you can trust in Arran too. I can tell that boy thinks the world of you. He looks at you like you’re the moon and stars rolled into one. Plus, a man who wasn’t in it for the long haul wouldn’t have been there for you the way Arran was that day your father barged into the house.”

Liv was about to say more when she heard her name being called from across the shop. They turned and Elise was hurrying toward them through the clothing racks, Jack on her hip.

“Hey,” Liv said, standing and taking in her wild-eyed appearance. “Are you all right?”

“I’m so sorry for holding you up.” Her words came quickly, tripping over one another. “Mum’s had a bad morning with her joints and she couldn’t manage to have Jack into the afternoon as planned, so I had to go and pick him up after work.”

Maya approached and gave Elise and Jack a hug. “It’s no problem. You’ve not held us up.”

Elise glanced around the group. “I know it’s not ideal having him with us, but I couldn’t think who to ask.”

Tara smiled, also standing and joining them. “Don’t worry,sweetheart. I’d love to look after him while you girls try on your dresses.”

“Me too,” Yvonne said, emerging from the changing room. “I’ve not had a cuddle from wee Jack in ages. He can play with us and watch the fashion show after.”

“Are you sure?” Elise asked as Tara took Jack from her. “He constantly wants to walk around just now. No wonder poor Mum’s back and shoulders are sore.”

“Don’t you worry,” Tara said with a wink. “I had two of these at the same time, remember?”

Elise laughed, her posture relaxing a little.

“Come on,” Maya said, taking Elise’s and Liv’s hands and leading them into the changing room. “You two both need a bit of pampering.” She took a couple of glasses of fizz from the store assistant and handed them over. “The changing rooms are back there.” She leaned in and spoke out of the corner of her mouth. “Just don’t spill the drinks on any of the dresses, capisce?”

“Aye, Captain,” Liv replied, carefully sipping from her glass before walking into the back.

“That’s your room in there!” Maya called. “And, Elise, you’re next door.”

Liv placed her drink on a small shelf at the back of the changing room, then unzipped the bag that contained her dress, her excitement peaking.

She quickly stripped off her clothing and pulled it on, stretching one arm over her head with the other behind her back and contorting herself to try to zip it up unaided. “Come here, you slippery little blighter,” she muttered to her new archnemesis, aka the zip. She managed it, then turned to the mirror in triumph, sucking in a satisfied breath at her reflection.

The dress was a sleeveless sea-green prom style that came tomid-thigh. A fitted bodice with an A-line skirt, her favorite style. The skirt swished out satisfyingly as she swayed in it.

“Are you ready, Liv?” Elise called from next door.

“Yep,” Liv said, putting on the heels she’d brought with her. She stepped out of the changing room in front of a wall-length mirror. “Ilovemine.”

Elise emerged behind her and took a sharp breath. “Liv, you look absolutelygorgeous.”

Liv turned to say thank you and had to stop herself from gasping. “Oh my God. You look amazing.”

Elise hugged her arms. Her dress was a light blue matte satin floor-length number with thin straps and a cowl neck. It clung seductively to her slender figure. “Are you sure? I don’t know if it’s a bit too sexy.”

Liv raised her eyebrows. “No such thing. You’re allowed to be sexy, you know.”

Elise joined her by the mirror, studying her reflection as she turned from one side to the other. “I don’t mean that,” she murmured, glancing behind them. “I mean I don’t know if I can pull off sexy.”

Liv’s mouth dropped open. “Please tell me you’re kidding. You, Dr. Kowalski, are one sexy mofo.”

Elise’s cheeks flushed pink. “I don’t know about that.”

Liv put an arm around her and pointed to the mirror. “That’s your evidence right there.”

“Oi!” Maya called through from the seating area. “Where’s my fashion show?”

They both laughed, and Liv took Elise’s hand to lead them both through to where Maya, Yvonne, Tara, and little Jack were waiting. With her killer heels on and Elise wearing kitten heels, the two were nearly the same height.

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