Mr Destiny by Candy Halliday Read Free Book Online Page A

three-sided mirror,
     and several complimentary chairs, Eve didn't protest when Kate gently pushed her down to sit on one of the chair's lush cushions.
    “No more arguing, Eve, I promise,” Kate said, before Alex caught up with them. “I've already taken the suits to the dressing
     room. This will be quick and easy.”
    “Wait,” Alex called out.
    She hurried toward them, a vision from heaven on the hanger in her hand and poor Diane hurrying right along behind her.
    “If you aren't going to wear a wedding dress, at least try this one on for us,” Alex said. “I swear, this dress is so close
     to what I remember you describing, you could have designed the thing yourself.”
    Diane sent Alex a murderous glare, then forced Alex's hand upward to keep the hem of the dress from touching the carpet. But
     when she looked back at Kate, Diane smiled, and said, “This is a Vera Wang creation, Kate. It's a perfect choice for any bride.
Off the rack
or not.”
    Dammit, Alex,
Kate thought.
Do you always have to put your foot in your mouth?
    She sent Alex a stern look.
    Alex mouthed “be-otch” behind Diane's back.
    Eve, on the other hand, was genuinely smiling for the first time since she'd walked into the shop.
    “It really is a beautiful dress, Kate,” Eve said. “Please? At least try it on for us.”
    Diane wrestled the hanger away from Alex, then held the dress out for Kate's inspection. Heart-shaped bodice completely covered
     in sequins. Tiny strings of pearls for the t-straps. A tight-fitting waist, giving way to a clinging satin straight skirt.
     A front cutaway extending from the hem to slightly above the knee.
    Diane turned the dress around, and Kate's breath caught in her throat. The all-pearl straps crisscrossed above the sexy plunging
     v-shape back, just like she'd always wanted.
    Alex hadn't been kidding.
    She really could have designed the dress herself.
    Kate started to reach for the hanger, but stopped herself. “No. I shouldn't. Harold and I have already agreed a bridal suit
     would be more practical than a wedding dress.”
    “Then let Harold wear the bridal suit of his choice,” Alex snipped.
    Kate hesitated. “I guess it wouldn't hurt to try it on.” But she looked directly at Alex when she added, “Just as long as
     you realize you are
not
going to talk me out of my decision to wear a suit.”
    Alex shrugged. “You're the bride. Brides should wear whatever they want. Maybe you should remind
Harold
of that fact.”
    “I'll put the dress in the dressing room for you with the other things you've picked out, Kate,” Diane said politely. “If
     you need any help…”
    “That's what
we're
here for,” Alex broke in.
    Diane sent Alex another frosty look, then disappeared with the dress.
    “Do you always have to be so confrontational?” Kate scolded.
    Alex waited until Diane came out of the dressing room and headed back to the front of the store before she said, “Me? Bitchzilla
     was the one being confrontational. Didn't you see the way she snatched that dress out of my hand?”
    Kate rolled her eyes.
    Arguing with Alex was as effective as tunneling through a mountain of granite with a freaking mascara wand.
    However.
    All was forgotten when Kate stepped out of the dressing room and up onto the platform a few minutes later. Both of her best
     friends rushed to her side. All three of them just stood there, looking at Kate's reflection in the three-sided mirror.
    This would be the one
, Kate thought.
If I were wearing a dress at my wedding, this dress would be the one.
    “Wow, Kate,” Alex said. “You look absolutely…”
    “Beautiful,” a voice said before Alex could finish.
    Startled, Kate whirled around.
    She would have fallen backward off the platform, had Alex not reached out and grabbed her arm to steady her.
    Oh. My. God.
    This couldn't be happening.
    She was staring straight at the last person Kate ever expected to see again—much less find standing in the middle of a bridal