Page 10 of Love Under Review

“The swings are the best. Building a sandcastle is pretty great too,” Danielle said, her smile lighting up her face as she spoke to Cari.

His niece tugged on his arm. “Can we make a castle? Can we?” she begged.

“I’ll see what I can do,” he said, his eyes locked on Danielle’s. There was something there that intrigued him, like she was a mystery he had to solve.

Their gaze broke when Becca pulled Danielle in the direction of Bridal Bliss and a thread of disappointment flowed through Liam.

“Good luck with the fitting. We’ll see you around.” He didn’t glance back as they walked away, reminding himself that Danielle Holloway was in the public eye and there was no way she would be staying in this sleepy town longer than she had to.

Chapter 6

Danielle wiggled into the dress Becca had picked out for her, wishing she could be at the park with Cari instead. She’d always loved kids, and there were many times when she didn’t feel like she’d grown up at all. Plus, there was something about Uncle Liam that made her want to ask him all the questions and figure out who he truly was. His baby-blue eyes pulled her in, and she was starting to feel flutters in her stomach. That hadn’t happened since high school and she needed her body to cooperate, to not start feeling things for a guy she barely knew.

Pushing him out of her mind, she focused on the dress. The amount of tulle and beads on the bodice sent off warning signals in her brain, telling her she was going to be uncomfortable for as long as she had to wear it.

It had to be tulle.

Once the dress was on and zipped up, she looked at herself in the mirror. “I look like a purple cupcake,” she muttered.

“I heard that!” Becca’s voice came from beyond the curtain. “Come out and let me see it.”

Danielle kept her arms raised, hoping to avoid the scratchy tulle. She opened the curtain and spun, knowing Becca would make her do it anyway.

“You look beautiful. Why do you look like you want to shoot me?”

Trying to decide if she should just be agreeable, Danielle finally said, “Is there a dress that would work with less of the stuff bound to give me hives?”

As if just realizing it, Becca’s eyes flew wide. “Oh, Danielle. I forgot about the fabric. The rest of the bridesmaids are wearing a more simple dress. We could do something else to make you stand out a bit more as the maid of honor.”

Danielle nodded. “As long as I won’t want to scratch my eyes out the entire time wearing it, I’ll do it. Just save me from the tulle.” She smiled, hoping Becca would see she was teasing a bit. If there were no other options, she’d just grin and bear it.

“Let me go get Lucy. Susie said she would know where everything is while she’s gone.”

Turning back to the dressing room, Danielle removed the purple fluff as quickly as possible, grateful for the relief. She’d always had sensitive skin, but with lotion and the right clothes, she’d been able to keep things from flaring up on a regular basis. She just wished she’d brought some cream in her purse to quell the itch beginning in her forearms.

Becca peeked in, stretching out a deep purple satin dress. “See how this one fits.”

Danielle looked at the dress. Satin was better, but it would’ve been nice to have a knit dress for the occasion. Also not appropriate for a wedding. She unzipped the back and stepped one foot into the cool fabric. Better already.

“So, what do you think of Liam?” Becca asked through the curtain.

Danielle’s foot caught as she placed the other foot into the dress, and she had to catch herself on the wall so she didn’t face-plant in the ground.

“What do you mean? I’ve met the guy for a total of two minutes.” Not entirely true. Maybe ten. Trying to steer the conversation in a different direction, Danielle asked, “He’s a groomsman, though, huh?”

“Yeah, Colton doesn’t have too many people from his past to invite, and he, Tanner, and Liam have gotten pretty close since they moved to Sage Creek. He’s a good guy.”

Zipping up the back of the dress as high as she could, she stepped out, giving another twirl.

Becca clapped her hands together. “Oh, that looks perfect on you. We can get them to add a few embellishments, and you’ll look amazing. Maybe you’ll catch someone’s eye.” She winked.

Danielle groaned. “I’m currently off the market.”

“Oh really? Who’s the guy?” Becca asked, not looking convinced.

“Myself. I’m taking time to reflect on my life at the moment.” She paused, Liam’s light hair and strong jaw making an appearance in her mind. “Can I get out of this thing?” she asked, moving her fingers up and down in front of the dress. Anything to get herself to stop thinking of the attractive bookstore owner.

Becca nodded, but she wasn’t giving up on the conversation. “You should get to know Liam. I feel like you two would have a lot in common.” Becca’s voice came out more of a sing-song.

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