by Bella Andre
On the plus side, he was fully on board with helping Moira. Unfortunately, instead of now being back on the road to Bar Harbor, Lola was in Duncan’s car on the way to participating in his client’s fashion show. It didn’t help that she couldn’t stop looking at his hand on the gearshift and remembering how good it felt whenever he’d touched her. It was torture being this close to him.
If only she wasn’t such a soft touch. Having been a part of several fashion shows over the years to showcase her fabrics, she knew how devastated the designer must feel upon losing her most important model only hours before the show. She shoved away a voice in the back of her head that said the biggest reason she’d offered to help was because she wanted to spend more time with Duncan. She refused to admit that held even the barest hint of truth.
Steeling herself against the foolish emotions that kept trying to sneak in past her defenses—especially with Duncan sitting so close to her in his sports car that if she simply moved her left arm a bit, she’d be able to put her hand on his muscular thigh—Lola worked to refocus her thoughts on Serafina’s fashion show. She hoped she would fit into the wedding gown without too many time-consuming alterations. Then again, if she needed to play seamstress, she would happily step in and put her sewing skills to the test.
At last, they pulled up in front of the Boston Center for the Arts and Lola was able to escape the close quarters of Duncan’s car. She desperately needed space. Breathing room. And, most of all, time to get her head back on straight and remember that he was not the man for her.
She wasn’t going to bother consoling herself with the thought that there were other fish in the sea. Nope, she was done fishing. She had learned her lesson, for good this time.
No. More. Men.
Serafina was instantly recognizable—she had a half-dozen pins in her mouth, a needle in her hand, and was still managing to give directions out the side of her mouth. Apart from her colorful hair wrap, she was dressed in head-to-toe black.
Catching sight of Lola and Duncan, she stuck the pins from between her lips into the pin cushion on her wrist. “Thank God. You’ll be a near-perfect fit for the wedding dress! And it doesn’t hurt that you’re drop-dead gorgeous. My dress is going to look amazing on you.” She turned to Duncan. “Where did you find this incredible woman?”
“It was pure luck.” He smiled as he added, “Stars were shining down on me the day I met Lola.”
He didn’t hide the emotion in his voice, and it reverberated all the way through to Lola’s heart. A heart that was supposed to be completely closed off to him.
With great difficulty, Lola managed to tear her eyes from his, before giving Serafina an overly bright smile. “Whenever you’re ready to show me the dress, you can see what needs to be done to perfect the fit.”
“I’ll take you backstage to try it on.” Serafina spoke to Duncan over her shoulder as they walked away. “Don’t you go too far, because I have a couple of things I need to discuss with you once Lola and I are done.”
“Don’t worry,” he replied. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Though it sounded as though he was simply reassuring Serafina, Lola couldn’t help but feel that his words were also meant for her. That he was saying no matter what had gone wrong, he was going to try to fix it, because he still loved her.
Desperate to stop thinking about the man whose eyes she could feel following her out of the room, Lola asked Serafina question after question about her company. When she’d first begun to design, where she’d studied, how long she’d been in the business? Within a matter of minutes, Lola had learned she was in the presence of a major pro who had designed for some of the biggest names in the business before striking out on her own.
“How have you liked working with Duncan’s venture capital firm?” Lola needed to know if there were any warning signs that he might harm Serafina the way he’d harmed Moira.
“Duncan is wonderful.” Serafina was unequivocal in her praise. “His staff is fantastic too. I’ve heard so many fiasco stories about investors since I made the decision to go out on my own three years ago. Which is why Duncan is the only one I would trust to come near my business with a ten-foot pole. He’s never steered me or my company wrong.”
It was on the tip of Lola’s tongue to tell Serafina not to make the mistake of trusting him. But where she’d been extremely forthright with Anita back at Duncan’s office, something held her back this time.
While driving to Boston this morning, she’d been one hundred percent sure that he was a lying cheat. But after everyone she’d met today seemed to think he could do no wrong—and both Gail and Serafina had worked with him for years—her resolve and her certainty had begun to wobble.
Her father’s words came back to her: You need to give yourself a whole heck of a lot more credit, because you’re a good judge of character. I’m just not convinced that your heart could play you wrong like that.
“There haven’t been any warning signs?” Lola asked. “You haven’t gotten the sense that he’s reeling you in before the fall?”
“No way.” Serafina looked at Lola as though she had lost her marbles. “Trust me, after this many years in the business, I have an unerring radar for people who are out to rip me off. Even now, the way he recruited you to step in to help in a moment of crisis shows that Duncan is truly one of a kind.”
“What do you know about his past?”
The other woman cocked her head. “After working so well with him for the past few years, I’d say I’m beyond the point of needing to question it.” With that, Serafina unzipped a black garment bag.
Lola’s mouth fell open when she saw the dress. “What a stunning wedding gown!” The classic silhouette with a fitted bodice and a full skirt looked like it had come straight out of a fairy tale. Yet it managed to look modern and edgy due to the beading, ragged edges, and asymmetrical hemline.
“Thank you.” Serafina beamed. “Not to toot my own horn or anything, but it’s my best work yet. I never planned to focus on wedding gowns, but when the idea for this dress popped into my head, I couldn’t deny it. It’s a bit of a change of pace for my business, but after discussing it with Duncan, we decided it was worth putting out there to see if any retailers bite.”
“They’re all going to bite.” Lola was absolutely certain of it. “In fact, I have a recently engaged sister who would look amazing in this. Would you mind if I took a picture and texted it to her?”
“Heck, I’m this close to giving you the dress out of gratitude. So yes, you can absolutely send your sister a picture.”
Lola snapped a couple of shots with her phone, then sent them to Cassie with a text. I might have found your wedding dress. Or at least your wedding dress designer. I’ll tell you more when I get back from Boston.
Within seconds, Cassie wrote back, That’s one of the most beautiful wedding dresses I’ve ever seen! And also, what are you doing looking at wedding dresses? I thought you were in Boston kicking some ex-boyfriend butt? You haven’t decided to walk down the aisle with him instead, have you?
Lola quickly replied, No time to talk now, but don’t worry, I’m not letting myself be sucked in. I’m just helping out a fellow designer in need.
She put her phone away, then stripped off her clothes so that she could put on the dress. After sharing a bedroom with her sisters since childhood, Lola wasn’t shy about undressing in front of a stranger.
“You really are stunning,” Serafina said as she took in Lola’s lush curves. “No wonder Duncan couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
Lola hated knowing a part of her still loved knowing Duncan found her attractive. “There’s nothing between us.”
Serafina gave her a look that clearly indicated she wasn’t buying it. Thankfully, she was far too focused on helping Lola into the dress to push it.
The exquisite gown was surprisingly light despite the beadwork and the many layers of fabric. Serafina efficiently pinned the bodice seams close to Lola’s frame, which was
a bit smaller than Gail’s. Fortunately, Lola’s heels looked like they would work well with the dress.
Serafina’s walkie-talkie crackled just as she was finishing pinning the fabric, alerting her to an issue with the stage setup.
“If you could help me out of this,” Lola suggested, “I’ll start on these alterations. My degree is in textile design, but I spent a summer working in a Parisian couture house, so I promise my work will be up to par.”
For the second time that day, Lola got a hug from a woman she’d only just met. “Thank you!” Soon, Serafina had efficiently undone the row of buttons down the back of the dress, helped Lola out of it, and given her the fine needles and thread needed for the alterations.
As she began to sew with tiny, precise stitches, Lola was glad for the intent concentration this work required. It meant she couldn’t stew over Duncan. Even better, she could stay holed up in the back of the venue while Duncan was out networking on Serafina’s behalf.
Every time she heard footsteps or a man’s voice through the closed door, though, she thought it might be him. Every time it wasn’t, she was simultaneously relieved and disappointed.
Ugh. Anger had been better than this waffling. Anger was straightforward, with no shades of gray, no lingering emotions, no second-guessing.
Just as she was finishing the alterations, her mother’s ringtone sounded from her bag. “Hi, Mom, how are you? And how’s Moira doing?”
“Much better, thankfully. She’s starting to look and sound more like her old self.”
Though Lola was glad to hear it, she still couldn’t shake the guilt over the part she’d played in upsetting her friend. “I have some good news for her, but I’d like to give it to her in person. Is she planning on staying with you for a while longer?”
“Yes, I’ve convinced her to stay a few more days.”
“Excellent. I’m out of town right now, but I should be back no later than midday tomorrow to share the news with her.”
“Where are you? I heard you had a busy weekend with your siblings, but grew worried when I didn’t see you at the café today.”
“I’m in Boston.”
“Boston?” Her mother was clearly concerned as she asked, “Why?”
Beth could likely guess that Duncan was the reason. But Lola wasn’t ready to answer her questions. Not until she’d tamped down the rogue emotions that kept threatening to rise up and swamp her.
“I can’t talk, Mom.” It was true—Serafina had just walked in to look at the alterations. “But I promise I’ll call you back as soon as I know what time I’ll be over tomorrow to see Moira. Love you. Sorry to have to rush off the phone.”
Her mother hadn’t raised seven children successfully by being thrown by a child who hurried to get off the phone…even if she was hanging up to try to hide her broken heart. “It’s no problem, honey. Just be sure to let me know if you need anything between now and then.”
Fortunately, Serafina looked radiantly happy with Lola’s work. “You wouldn’t happen to be looking for a job as a seamstress, would you?”
Lola smiled. “I’m not, but thanks for your lovely compliment. And I’m happy to help with anything else in your collection that needs alterations.”
“All I need right now is to get you back into the dress. The show’s going to start soon, and you’ll be the final model to walk, right around the ten-minute mark.”
Serafina had just begun to button Lola back into the wedding gown when she got another urgent call on the walkie-talkie, letting her know the first model meant to go down the runway had snagged her dress.
“Go,” Lola urged her. “I’ll close the rest of these buttons.” If she strained her right arm and twisted her shoulder, she would hopefully be able to reach the buttons that ran along her spine.
She was trying to contort into a position even her super-bendy yoga teacher would find impossible when someone walked into the room. She instinctively knew who it was even before she heard his voice.
“I’ve been sent in to help you with some buttons.”
Before Lola could tell Duncan that she would rather find a stranger on the street to do up the buttons—anyone but him—he had stepped behind her, his fingers gently moving over the silk and lace along her spine.
As her heart raced faster and faster, she couldn’t stop breathing him in. Couldn’t keep from noting how good he smelled. Couldn’t keep from melting inside simply from how warm and solid and sexy he felt, even from behind her.
Thrill bumps ran up her spine as he slowly closed one button after another. Was he deliberately taking his time? Or was it just her imagination that he was lingering over her?
And then, for one of the topmost buttons, he had to brush her hair aside so that it wouldn’t tangle with the dress. When his fingertips grazed the skin on her neck, she thought her knees would buckle with wanting him.
She tried to tell herself that desire meant nothing.
She tried to convince herself that needing him on a physical level had nothing whatsoever to do with her heart.
But she couldn’t make heads or tails of any of those arguments.
Not when he was touching her like this.
And not when it was taking every ounce of her self-control to keep from turning into his arms and kissing him.
He didn’t speak as he finished fastening the dress, and neither did she. Her mouth was too dry, and even if she had been able to form words, she didn’t trust herself not to blurt out how badly she still wanted him.
Finally, after what felt like an absolute eternity of longing and desperation, he cleared his throat. “All done.”
Just listening to his deep, sexy voice made every last cell in her body that wasn’t already crying out for him leap to life.
She couldn’t do anything but nod. Couldn’t possibly turn to face him. Not when she knew that if she did, she would throw her arms around him and press her lips to his. And, worst of all, forgive him for everything he shouldn’t be forgiven for.
Again, she held her breath, waiting. Waiting for him to either move closer…or move away.
At last, when she was almost out of self-restraint, he said, “I’d better go take my seat.” His voice was rougher now—with desire, with emotion, with anguish.
Everything she was feeling too.
She held perfectly still until he stepped away and closed the door behind him. At the click of the latch, her breath rushed out, ragged and raw in her chest. Her legs were trembling, and there was a fine sheen of sweat over her skin.
Never before had she denied herself something—someone—she wanted so much. If anything, she wanted Duncan even more now than she had when they were together.
But Serafina was waiting for her to take her place at the end of the lineup. Lola took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and headed out to the stage. Though Duncan’s eyes would be on her while she walked the runway, she couldn’t let it rattle her. She needed to do Serafina proud.
Lola’s foolish heart had already done enough damage to Moira. She wouldn’t let it ruin Serafina’s show too.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Duncan had wanted to beg Lola to forgive him, to believe in him, to love him. But with Serafina counting on them to make sure Lola was ready to hit the runway, he’d steeled himself to simply do up the buttons, rather than stripping the dress from her skin instead.
It was utter torment to be so close to Lola, to touch her again, knowing he could never have her. Not that any man would ever possess Lola Sullivan. She was a force unto herself. But if his past hadn’t come between them, they could have been partners in life, in love. They could have had a family of their own. And every day for the rest of his life would have been so sweet.
For the past two hours, Duncan had done his utmost to focus on networking with retailer reps on Serafina’s behalf. There was no question that she was about to make a huge splash in the international marketplace, especially if she continued to make wedding gowns on par with the one Lola was modelin
g tonight.
Duncan had seen Lola in the dress only from the back, but that alone had been enough to see that it was exquisite.
Lola was exquisite.
He took a seat in the back corner of the room, leaving the best seats to the customers, a mix of retailers and women who could afford to buy the entire collection without blinking an eye.
As the first model walked down the runway, Duncan was impressed by Serafina’s talent all over again. She had escaped a dangerous marriage in her early twenties and had worked like the dickens to build her business. Now, she went out of her way to help women who needed a hand up.
Duncan was pleased to note the approving murmurs from the crowd, rapt with attention as the models walked in Serafina’s dresses. Ten minutes in, the music and lighting shifted, becoming slower and softer. And then Lola emerged on the runway, taking away the breath of every single person in the room.
Though they were at a fashion show, the romantic expression on Lola’s face made him almost believe she was walking down the aisle to become one with the man who meant everything to her.
Everyone’s mouths continued to hang open as she paused at the end of the runway for the photographers. She was that stunning, that vibrant in Serafina’s magnificent wedding dress.
Duncan was positive that Serafina would be besieged by orders. But no matter how hard he worked to remember that he was here tonight for business only, he couldn’t erase the vision of Lola walking down the aisle toward him in that wedding dress.
* * *
Serafina held Lola’s hand high as the crowd cheered the brilliant clothing collection. Beside her, Lola was grinning from cheek to cheek. Duncan was profoundly glad to see her smile again, even if he couldn’t help wishing he was the one responsible for putting that smile back on her face.
When Lola went to change into her clothes, instead of giving in to the temptation to see if she needed help undoing the buttons on the back of the gown, he forced himself to do his job by making another networking round of the retailers and wealthy socialites.
