Chapter 27: Chapter 27

I smile all the way to Flora’s place, I smile as I get out of the car and meet her, I smile on our way to the boutique, and I smile as Flora tells me about all the things she still has left to do for the wedding. I literally can’t stop smiling.

“Can you stop? It’s freaking me out.” Flora suddenly says, pretending to be horrified.

I laugh. “Okay.” I say, forcing my lips into a straight line.

“You’re smiling again,” Flora says, laughing. “Why are you so happy?” She asks as we walk down the sidewalk. The boutique is downtown and it truly is a beautiful day to walk; the weather has been getting colder by the day and I love it. I love wearing sweaters and scarfs and cuddling somewhere outside while drinking coffee. I frown when I remember I can’t drink coffee—I’ll have to replace it with hot chocolate or something.

“Oh, I just…woke up this morning grateful for another morning,” I say looking up at the cloudy sky. “It’s a beautiful day!”

Flora laughs. “I’m officially creeped out by how happy you are. I’m the one that’s getting married in a month and I’m not even that happy—I’m jealous.”

I laugh. “It’s nothing. You know, pregnancy hormones and everything.”

I don’t even believe in  myself.

Flora reaches for the door of the boutique and pulls it open. “I’m not buying, so spill it.”

“It really is nothing,” I repeat, frowning at the truth of my own words. Evan’s nice and this is my response? I shouldn’t be this excited, but I can’t help it; I like him more than I want to admit.

“Hi,” Flora says to the receptionist. “I’m Flora and I have an appointment at two?”

I look around. The boutique is full of mannequins with different wedding dresses. Looking at the wedding dresses makes me think of Carolina—which, of course, makes me think of Evans. God, I’m so pathetic. I could probably look at a pen and somehow connect it back to him. There are windows everywhere, giving the boutique a really nice look and feel. I like it. Flora and I follow the woman to the back where there’s a room with even more mannequins, except this one has a long couch that faces a huge, full-length mirror.

“You can wait here. Ms.Alice will be right out to help you.”

“Thanks, Flora says as we both sit. She looks at me. “What did Mr.Leonard do to make you smile so much?”

“I met Caroline,” I say, trying to distract her.

Her mouth drops open. “No way.”

I nod.

“How is she? Is she as pretty as she seems in the magazines? She’s great, isn’t she? I love her dresses! I wish she could have designed mine.”

I laugh at her excitement. “Yes, she’s pretty cool—I really liked her.”

“How’d you meet her?”

“She dropped by this morning unannounced. She didn’t know Evans hired a surrogate, so it was…interesting.”

“He hasn’t told his family?”

I shake my head. “Nope. Kind of disturbing, I know. Caroline was mad but I’m glad she let him know it’s not okay. I get that he’s not close to his family, but you’d think he’d tell them, right?”

“Yeah,” she says, nodding. “I kind of get it, though. Once he tells his family, it’ll be hard to stay out of the spotlight.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“You know, once it comes to light, paparazzi will probably follow him everywhere. It’ll only be a matter of time before they find you.”

It hadn’t occurred to me that Evans hasn’t told anyone because he’s protecting me. It’s easy to forget that he’s a celebrity. Sure, he’s not really being followed right now, but once paparazzi find out there’s fresh gossip, they’ll probably start. I really don’t want people to start following me around…or to be in those gossip TV shows or magazines…making the probability of my family finding out even greater…

“Hi!”

We stand when we see a middle-aged woman walk into the room. She’s wearing a pantsuit and has short black hair and dark skin. She has glasses on and carries a clipboard with her. She smiles warmly. “I’m Alice—it’s nice to see you again,Flora

Flora shakes her hand. “Hi, you too. This is my maid of honor, Ciara,”

Alice shakes my hand. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” She looks at my stomach. “Oh! Congratulations!”

“Thank you,” I say awkwardly. The

Alice looks at Flora. “Should we get down to business? Flora nods, following her to the back while Alice asks her how wedding plans are going. It’s a while before they come back.

Her dress has a trumpet silhouette, fitting closely to her body until mid-hip, where it widens gradually. It has a sheer neckline but the back is completely open. The chiffon hugs her curves perfectly before parting just below the butt and it has a court train.

Flora stands in front of the full-length mirrors. “We just need the veil,” Alice says as she reaches out and puts Flora’s hair in a bun.

“Wow,” I break the silence. “Flora,you look beautiful.”

Flora doesn’t say anything for a moment. She stares at her reflection and starts to cry. I reach for some tissues and hand them to her. “I’m guessing you love it?” I ask as I hand them to her.

She nods, covering her face with her hands. “I love it.”

Alice claps her hands. “That’s exactly the reaction we are looking for. I’m so happy you love it.”

“I look so—beautiful.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course you do. Williams is going to faint when he sees you—you look freaking hot.”

Flora laughs. “He better,” she says, cleaning her tears. “Thank you so much, Alice. It’s perfect.”

Alice smiles. “We aim for perfection. You’re welcome, sweetie.”

We stare at her for a moment, Flora staring at herself before she finally says she’s done. I’m so happy she’s happy. Her face is literally glowing—that’s how a bride should look all the time. Flora comes back after changing and we wait for Alice to come back with the dress.

“You still haven’t told me what Evans did to make you so happy.”

I frown. “I was hoping you were going to drop that.”

She laughs. “Not a chance.”

I smile, shaking my head. “It was nothing. You know how dumb I’m, I get my hopes up for no reason.”

“Just tell me,” she urges, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Remember when I told you that he brought a girl home the day after we…?” she nods, and I continue. “He told me he didn’t sleep with her. She actually works for him and they were talking about business…and she slept on the couch.”

She covers her mouth with her hand. “No way. That is so cute! I mean, it’s been what? Four—five—months since it happened? That means he’s been wanting to tell you all this time.” She grins. “No wonder you’ve been smiling nonstop.”

I smile. “It’s nothing.”

“Oh, stop it.” Flora rolls her eyes. “I think he likes you.”

“I think so too.”

We giggle like little girls then stop when Alice walks in the room with the dress, all wrapped up. We thank her and head out, going to Flora’s place where we make food while she makes me tell her every single word Evans said.

“Hey,” Williams says as he walks into the kitchen. Williams pecks Flora’s cheek, making her smile. He nods at me. “Hey, Ciara. How was the dress fitting?

I smile. “It was great. You’re going to flip when you see her.”

Williams grins at Flora. “I can’t wait.” He leans in to kiss her and I busy myself with the food, smiling. They really are the sweetest couple; they’re the couple that makes you believe love is real. I set the table and the three of us sit and have lunch.

Williams looks at me. “You’re getting bigger.”

I smile down at the food. “Thanks,” I joke.

He chuckles. “Do you know the gender yet?”

“Not until I’m about twenty weeks.”

He doesn’t say anything else and Flora changes the subject. I hang out with them for the rest of the day. At around eight, I head back to the condo, feeling unusually exhausted. Evan's not home when I get there, probably working at the club. I don’t even have the energy to change and I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Still smiling.