Page 58 of Sweet Revenge
“If that thing doesn’t fit after the way she’s been complaining about her calorie intake for the last two months, I’ll scream,” Reagan muttered, earning a light smack from her mother.
When Maura emerged from the fitting room and stepped up on the dais, Evie’s mouth fell open, tears gathering in her eyes.
“Holy shit,” she breathed, making Reagan laugh.
Fluffing out the skirts, Maura grinned. “That’s exactly the kind of reaction I’m going for from James.” Maura lifted the white tulle overlay to reveal the blush pink satin skirt. “I wanted pink, but mom wanted white, so we compromised. I think the results are perfect.”
“It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful,” Evie added.
Maura turned to the mirror, and the consultant fluffed out the generous train while the seamstress checked the fit, adding a few pins and markers. Lace sleeves hung loosely across her upper arms, and the lace bodice was studded with white and blush beads that caught the light when Maura moved.
You could just make out the blush of the skirt under the tulle, which gave the dress an ethereal glow, like something straight out of a fairy tale. Lace appliqués on the overskirt added to the fantasy feel for a look that was completely and utterly Maura.
“I told you it was stunning,” Cait whispered, nudging Evie with her elbow. “I’m glad you’re here. I was worried you wouldn’t come once you knew.”
“I almost didn’t. But I wouldn’t miss this. Not after…after everything.”
“Is it hard being here?” Cait wondered while Alice and Maura argued over what length veil was appropriate for a Catholic wedding.
The lie would have rolled neatly off her tongue, but she surprised herself with honesty instead. “Yes. It’s not that I didn’t want to marry him.”
“I know. I never believed that, even when Declan and Maura clung to it.”
“I get why they think that. It was complicated.”
Cait nodded. “And being back doesn’t make it any less complicated, does it?”
Evie smiled, amazed her friend knew her so well even after all this time. “No, it doesn’t. If anything, it makes it harder.”
“Maybe it can be different this time.” Cait’s voice was full of hope. “Maybe you can work out whatever happened between you before, and it can be different, better than it was.”
As quickly as the tiny spark of hope ignited in her chest, it extinguished. She couldn’t afford wishful thinking. It would only make the inevitable harder. But she’d let Cait have it a bit longer.
“Maybe.”
Evie hadn’t known so many different headpieces existed until she watched Maura try on every single one of them with the veil she and her mother finally agreed on. In the end, she settled on a tiara that made her look every bit the princess she’d always dreamed of being on her wedding day.
Once Maura changed and rushed off to meet her wedding planner, they said their goodbyes and Evie walked to her car alone in the side parking lot. She waved to Cait, who honked as she pulled out.
As she drew closer to her car, she noticed something tucked under the windshield wiper. Probably a flyer for some charity. Lifting the wiper, she plucked it out before the wind took it and unfolded it, brows knitting together at the red letters that slashed across the page.
HE CAN’T PROTECT YOU FOREVER.
Evie’s head jerked up, eyes scanning the parking lot. A group of women giggled and chatted as they entered the bridal shop, a couple of runners jogged by on the sidewalk that lined the street-facing side of the building, but no one looked out of place.
It had been nearly a week since anything happened. No movement, nothing threatening toward her or Nessa. Every potential lead she’d taken to Brogan had resulted in a dead-end. Peter was in the wind, and William was no help because he still refused to tell her anything about Kiah that might unlock something useful for them.
She was used to being able to put her hands on information any time she needed it. She thrived on details, anticipating what was coming, and planning for every eventuality. This felt more like she was stumbling around blind in the dark.
Folding the note carefully, she tucked it into her pocket, eyes alert as she slid behind the wheel and locked the doors. It wasn’t a smoking gun on where to find Peter, but it was more than she’d had yesterday, and Declan was undoubtedly going to be interested in the fact that Peter had made contact again.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Declan didn’t notice it had gone dark until Helen buzzed him on the intercom asking if he wanted dinner sent up. He hadn’t worked this late in weeks, and it felt good to lose himself in the drudgery of decision-making and contract signing.
Rebecca had come through on an even better deal than he’d anticipated for the new building, and he’d already called his architect to have him start drafting plans for the remodel. He’d finally inked a deal and cut a check with the councilman for the solar project.
The meeting with the tenant hoping for an expansion had gone well, and he’d agreed to foot the bill if she signed a five-year lease. Not the offer she’d been expecting, but one she happily accepted. He’d sent the details to the lawyer to draft a new contract.
