Page 58 of Tempt
“Don’t judge me,” I told them. “I never misbehave like that, and you know it. Just let me have this.”
Anxious for a distraction, I decided I’d spend my day doing some research about plus-sized bridal boutiques in the Midwest. When the coffee was ready, I looked at my hard wooden kitchen chairs and thought better of it. Instead, I grabbed my shoulder bag, which held my laptop and new file folders, and went into the living room. Gingerly lowering myself onto the plush velvet sofa, I managed to find a comfortable position and settled in.
My third cup of coffee had long grown cold when I realized I’d been working for over three hours. I sat up straighter and stretched before picking up my phone. My mom had texted reminding me about dinner this evening, and I also had a message from Winnie’s boyfriend, Dex.
Hey Millie. Could you call me? I have a question about Winnie. I’m at the station today so anytime works.
I called him back right away.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Millie. How’s it going?”
“Good. Thanks for calling me.”
“Sure. Is this an okay time? I’m not preventing you from fighting a fire, am I?”
He laughed. “No fires yet today. Slow morning.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Uh, first, can you keep a secret?”
I smiled. “Yes. Your girlfriend is the only MacAllister sister who can’t.”
“Right. She definitely doesn’t know about this. But it involves her.”
My pulse picked up. “Oh?”
“I’m going to ask her to marry me this Christmas.”
“Oh my goodness! Oh Dex, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you!” My throat grew tight, and my eyes blurred with tears.
“Thanks. So listen, I had the girls help me pick out some possible rings, but I could really use a grown-up’s opinion, preferably someone who knows Winnie like you do.”
“I’d be happy to help,” I said, even more excited. “What works best?”
“Would it be possible for you to meet me at the jeweler’s tomorrow? It’s my day off, so any time works.”
“Of course. I’m off on Mondays too, so why don’t we say eleven? Just text me the name of the store and I’ll be there.”
“Great. Thanks, Millie. And if Felicity wants to come too, that’s okay with me. I just didn’t have her number.”
“I’ll let her know, and don’t worry—she can keep a secret too.”
“I appreciate it. It’s hard enough to make sure the girls don’t let it slip.”
I smiled. “They must be so excited.”
“They are. They’ve been begging me to marry Winnie since practically the day we moved in next door to her.”
“That was quite a day,” I teased, recalling the story Winnie had told later that evening—the steam from her shower had set off the smoke detector in her bedroom. She was standing on a suitcase in her birthday suit attempting to disconnect it when Dex burst in, worried that there was an actual emergency, his daughters right behind him. “I’m sure they’ll never forget it.”
“I won’t either.” He laughed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Dex.” I ended the call and leaned back, the smile still lingering on my lips. Winnie was going to be so happy. I wondered when they’d get married, if Win would choose Cloverleigh Farms where she’d grown up, or Abelard Vineyards where she worked, or somewhere totally different.
I glanced at my laptop on the coffee table, still open to the website of a shop in Maryland that boasted sample sizes up to 32W and gowns to fit almost any budget. Testimonials from happy brides were moving tributes to the owner and staff, who made full-figured women feel welcome and beautiful, women who’d been “laughed at” in other salons when they requested a size 16 dress.
