“It’s not always as it looks,” Florence mutters, a defeated expression lacing her face.
Before I can ask her more, Keith lays his warm arm over my shoulder, making me jump in my seat.
“Hi.” He chuckles, grabbing the chair next to me.
“Why do you always walk so stealthily? There is a hundred percent chance of getting caught talking bad about you.” I lightly hit him in his chest, just to feel his hard pecs.
“We haven’t been engaged for two weeks and you already feel the need to backbite me?” His eyebrows furrow in mock surprise.
“Not now,” I drawl. “But someday I will, no?”
“Don’t worry, Clem. On days when you are showing extra complaining tendencies, I’ll tie a bell around my neck.”
I swoon at his words and his beautiful smile.
“You do that, mister.”
He looks down at me and smiles before turning to Florence. “I’m glad we met. I hope I was successful in abating some of your anxiety.”
“You sure did. While I was driving here, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. I was worried if this was another of Clem’s off-the-cuff decisions, but I’m so relieved after meeting you and Merida.”
“I understand.” Keith’s grip on my shoulders tightens. “But even if Clem does certain things on a whim, I trust her instincts.” He places a kiss on my hair, and I think I fall a little more in love with him in this moment.
“I think you are right.” Florence nods, her smile bright.
* * *
“Tell me again why you aren’t wearing one of your own designs?” Kristy asks from where she is perched on the pink couch with Florence and my sweet gram squeezed between those two.
“I told you, I want to experience bridal shopping! Why aren’t you believing me?” I look at the beige-colored gown. It looks pretty, but only if the neckline was Queen Anne instead of plunging.
“Because bridal shopping is stressful. It’s every bride’s nightmare.”
“I have no clue what you’re complaining about. Everything worked out so well at your wedding.” I shift my gaze to the rose-gold dress. It has too much crinoline for my taste.
“And that’s exactly my point.” Kristy ambles toward me, inspecting the dress in my hand.
“I don’t know. I think there’s some magic to the whole act of going from store to store, hunting for that perfect dress that’ll make your man do a double take when he sees you for the first time at the altar.” Gram’s twinkling eyes dreamingly look around.
“Gram, how many stores did you visit in your time?” Florence asks with a teasing smile on her lips.
“Ooooh! I was very high maintenance back then. I demanded of your grandpa that I needed a bodice made of real pearls, or else I wouldn’t show up at the altar.”
“Wow, I can’t imagine you being so stuck up, Gram.” I turn to her, as always, her stories making me forget everything else.
“Every girl needs to get whatever she wants on her wedding day.”
We three burst into giggles while she’s busy opening her purse.
“And that’s why I want to ask you, what do you think of this?” Gram holds a small jewelry box in her hands.
When she opens it, my gaze locks to her and Grandpa’s wedding bands nestled in a blue velvet cushion.
“I want to give these to you as a wedding gift.”
“Gram!” I gasp. How can she say that? These rings are one of her most cherished memories. “I can’t take these. Grandpa made these for you.”
“And I want to share his love with you, Cookie. These rings don’t go alone. I hope you and Keith complete each other, as these rings do.”