Page 1 of Aviator
CHAPTER ONE
CHAMPAGNE, NC
KENNA
I trudgeinto the bridal salon, my heart heavy with dread.
This should be one of the happiest days of my life, but the voice in my head is screaming at me to turn tail and run. I press a hand to my churning stomach. Maybe we should reschedule. For another six months, when I can come back and feel more confident.
As though she can sense it, Riley tightens her grip on my arm as the doors close behind her and three of my sisters. She towers over me at nearly six feet to my five foot two, and I crane my neck to meet her stern gaze. Her brilliant blue eyes narrow at my no doubt petrified expression. “Don’t even think about it. If you don’t get your dress now, you won’t have it in time for the wedding. You’ve put this off long enough.”
Bless her. She’s never been a huge fan of my relationship with Garrett, but she’s been a rock since we got in the thick of wedding planning. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Everyone needs a bestie like Riley to bully them around. Even if it makes you hate them a little.
“I just wish Kady were here.” I keep my voice in a low murmur so my younger sisters can’t hear the worry in my tone.
Riley shifts to wrap an arm around me and guide me further into the bridal shop. I let myself be steered toward the attendant, who is busy waiting on another customer. Sometimes it’s nice to be taken care of instead of being the one doing the caring. “Still haven’t heard from her? She knew we were going wedding dress shopping today. When were she and Jamie supposed to be back? It’s not like Kady to be late.”
That’s an understatement. As a librarian at the girls’ school, Kady’s attention to detail is unmatched. She’s the sort of person to arrive where she needs to be a half-hour early. Lists are her best friend, and her calendar makes me insanely jealous. She’s so organized you want to kill her a little, but this is only to combat the fact that if she weren’t so organized, her head would be permanently in the clouds—a side effect of always having her nose stuck in a book.
I bite my lip and check my phone for any messages or missed calls. Nothing. Worry mixes with the self-doubt swimming around in my stomach. She should have called by now. “They didn’t really give a timeframe. From what I gathered, it was last minute. She only sent a text saying they were going out of town, but she didn’t say where or how long.”
It wasn’t abnormal for Kady to get in an introverted loop where she only wanted to be alone at home, hyper-fixating on her latest obsession. Jamie is the only person—aside from me—who has ever inspired her to step out of her comfort zone. But it was abnormal to go more than a week without word from her. Even when Jamie managed to tease her into going on a last-minute getaway, she would always check in.
Always.
Riley’s frown deepens. “Still, it’s not like her to bail on you when it really matters. I bet you’ll hear from her soon.”
I’ll probably give her the riot act when I do, but I’ll forgive her.
I always do.
Time to change the subject so I don’t completely ruin the mood. “Are you sure we can’t order something online?” I whisper so the petite saleswoman holding up a finger in an “I’ll be there in one minute” gesture can’t hear me. Giving her a tight smile, my entourage and I move to a small reception area at the front of the salon.
The soft, romantic atmosphere of Wedded Bliss in Champagne, North Carolina, a small suburb just outside Charlotte, boasts pale blush paint, delicate white lace accents, and crystal chandeliers. It should have swept me off my feet. The gleaming hardwood floors and plush white rugs are nothing short of perfection. Racks and racks of dresses, each more luxurious than the last, are displayed in a sea of silk and satin, glimmering under the soft lighting. My heart should be fluttering with excitement, maybe a little dash of nerves. Not threatening to explode right from out of my chest because I’d rather be anywhere else.
Riley takes me by the shoulders and forces me to look into her eyes. I blink a little wondering how she gets her damn eyeliner to look picture-perfect every single time. The bitch. “You deserve to be here, Kennedy Lynch. Now put a smile on your face and look less like you want to die. This is the happiest moment of your life.” Riley turns me to face the consultant, who looks as though it’s the happiest day of hers. I plaster on a smile and hope it doesn’t come across as forced as it feels.
“Kennedy Lynch?”
I nod at the consultant’s brilliant smile. “Just Kenna,” I answer.
“Lovely to meet you, Kenna. I’m Amanda, and I’ll be your consultant today. We’re so happy to have you at Wedded Bliss. Would you ladies follow me?”
The girls chatter excitedly behind me, and I give them a stern yet nervous glance and motion for them to behave. Amanda leads us through the swarm of dresses, and I follow in a haze of ivory and cream. How in the hell does anyone choose one of these? My stubby legs work double-time to keep up with her long strides as she marches us back and to the left of the salon, where there’s a more secluded area with a runway of sorts, a wall of angled mirrors, and creamy couches for spectators.
Riley and the girls huddle behind me as Amanda stands in front of a room labeled with an elegant gold number eight and poses with paper and a pen that looks like it costs as much as one of the dresses hanging around me. She gives herself a little shake as though she’s getting into the right mindset. I wonder if she teaches lessons because I could use some of her poise and grace.
“So Kenna, tell me a little about you and your fiancé. What sort of look are you hoping to achieve?”
I can’t tell her one where I’m fifty pounds lighter, so instead, I opt for the safer answer, a.k.a. I lie. “Something that flatters my body and makes me feel beautiful.” There. That was acceptable and less embarrassing. “I’m not especially traditional and love texture and alternative styles, so I’m open to most anything.” That’s an understatement. While I may not be comfortable with my body now, I still love to look pretty. Makeup, accessories, hair. That’s where I really shine. I may not be a size two, but damn if I don’t show out in other ways.
Riley shoots me an encouraging glance and says, “Something sexy that shows a little skin. But tasteful,” she adds when she sees my pointed look.
Amanda scribbles something on her clipboard. “Do we have any budget concerns?”
I feel a twinge inside but push it away. “Nothing too outrageous. I’d like to keep it conservative, but I think I’d be willing to splurge on something if it was the perfect dress.” The swirling vortex of anxiety in my stomach says nothing here will make me feel any better about myself. The most I can hope for is a dress that doesn’t make me want to burst into tears.
Amanda either doesn’t notice my inner turmoil or politely ignores it and beams at all of us. “Excellent. Why don’t you ladies look around and write down any styles that speak to you. I’ll pull a couple that I think may suit your needs. If you find something you like, jot the number, and we’ll have an attendant bring it to your room. Would any of you like refreshments?”
