Page 78 of Mail Order Valentine (Hawthorne Billionaire 2)

The first bridal had closed down just for me, and that is the most insane feeling. The owner said she was helping us personally, then went about asking questions.

“Have you thought about what kind of wedding dress you want,” the owner asked, “princess, mermaid, blingy, lace?”

“When I was younger, I wanted to wear a big princess gown, but I’m not sure anymore,” I said, looking around at all the dresses. “What do you think I would look good in, Poppy?”

“You will look amazing in any dress. Why don’t we start with a few princess ball gowns so she can see if she still likes it.”

“Right away, Mrs. Hawthorne.” The owner hurried away calling orders to a few assistants.

“Come on, let’s go in the dressing room and get you ready for the dress,” Poppy said, pulling me by the arm. “On second thought, let’s go look at the racks for other styles to try on.”

The first princess ball gowns were pretty, but I didn’t love them. I tried on a few mermaids and still wasn’t feeling it. We thanked the store owner with a large tip and left to go to the next one. The next one was a smaller shop, and nothing really called to me there, either. Gunner stood waiting by the car when we exited.

“Solitaire, you look dejected. Why don’t we go do something else?” Gunner said, opening the car door. “I know, how about some ice cream? That usually makes you feel better.”

“Ice cream. Um…YES.” Poppy answered before I could. “Gunner, you’re an angel.”

“If I get ice cream now, I’ll look fat in wedding gowns,” I said with a sigh. “How about one more shop, then we call it a day and eat lots of ice cream?”

“Sorry, Imogen, but I need ice cream right now. You can’t say something like “ice cream” around me right now, then say “wait”,” Poppy said, signaling to Gunner. “You’re in such good shape, one ice cream won’t make a difference.”

I’d only met Poppy once and we went through getting me away from Brice, so I owed her. I had no idea she had such a strong addiction to ice cream that I couldn’t even say it around her.

Is that normal? What’s going on with her?

Chapter 58

AUGUST

I’d fallen asleep in my reclining chair, reading a file. I had no idea what ocean or land we were flying over. I checked my cell to find a text from my mother, Asher, and Imogen. I looked at Imogen’s first, figuring it had to be good news. I was wrong. She wanted to go into ‘my’ penthouse. I shot a message to the hotel manager to lock the elevator to Asher’s penthouse. Next, Asher’s text. He was complaining about not wanting to get married. My mother was demanding I call as soon as I landed.

Why do I even look at this thing in-flight?

I pushed out of my chair, clicked off the lights, and went to my bed. I hit the intercom above my head, calling into the cockpit to find out where we were and when we’d arrive.

“We’re in the clouds, sir, get some rest. We should be there in about five hours,” the pilot said.

“Thanks. Wake me about an hour out, please,” I said, then clicked off.

I laid back on the pillows and closed my eyes. Sleep alluded me now that I was in the bed. My mind was on Imogen and this whole mess. I was going to have to give her up soon and I didn’t want to.

I’m gonna have to have a talk with my mother. Asher was going to have to pick a different girl. That’s all there was to it.

I wanted to do something special for Imogen before it hit the fan and she refused to ever speak to me again. And I wouldn’t blame her. I reached over to the nightstand and picked up my cell to send Poppy a text.

“Hey Poppy, I need a favor.”I texted.

Oh my God. I suck at lying. I just asked her for a favor as myself, not Asher.

“Hey August, what’s up?”she answered.

Now what am I going to do? What favor can I ask her for?

“When will you guys be back?”she asked.

Perfect. Change the subject.

“We’ll be back tomorrow night.”

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